Easy Desi-Style Chicken Fry (No Deep-Frying)

Name: Easy Desi-Style Chicken Fry (No Deep-Frying)
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 29 min
Total time: 69 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1 kg chicken (bone-in); 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste; 0.5 tsp turmeric powder; 0.5 tsp black pepper powder; 1 tsp salt; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 0.5 tbsp coriander seeds; 1 tsp cumin seeds; 0.5 tsp peppercorns; 0.5 tsp carom seeds (ajwain); 1 in cinnamon stick; 4 green cardamoms; 4 cloves; 6 whole dry Kashmiri red chillies; 1 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder; 1 tsp chaat masala; 4 tbsp oil; 1 medium onion, finely sliced; 0.5 cup curd (yogurt); 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tsp roasted cumin powder; 1 bundle fresh coriander leaves, chopped

Looking for a spicy, homestyle chicken dish that’s quick, flavourful, and doesn’t need deep frying? This Desi-Style Chicken Fry is your perfect fix! Made with juicy bone-in chicken, marinated in aromatic Indian spices and slow-roasted with minimal oil, it delivers restaurant-style flavour in just minutes—without the guilt. Each bite is packed with smoky, roasted masala that pairs beautifully with rice, roti, paratha, or even as a crowd-pleasing starter. Whether you're cooking for a family dinner...

carom seeds (ajwain)

whole dry Kashmiri red chillies

Kashmiri red chilli powder

medium onion, finely sliced

roasted cumin powder

fresh coriander leaves, chopped

Calories

266.7kcal (13.33%)

Step 1

Cut the chicken into small, bone-in pieces so they cook faster and absorb the marinade better.

Step 2

Mix with ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, black pepper, salt, and lemon juice. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes or more for deeper flavour.

Step 1

Dry roast coriander seeds, cumin seeds, peppercorns, ajwain, cinnamon, cardamoms, cloves, and whole red chillies on low-medium heat for 2–3 minutes until aromatic.

Step 2

Cool and coarsely grind.

Step 3

Stir in Kashmiri red chilli powder and chaat masala. Set aside.

Step 1

Heat oil in a flat pan and fry onions until golden. Remove and set aside.

Step 2

In the same pan, place marinated chicken in a single layer (without stirring) and cook on high until browned.

Step 3

Flip and cook until most moisture evaporates.

Step 4

Add fried onions, leftover marinade (if any), and curd. Mix well.

Step 5

Cover and cook on low heat until chicken is fully cooked and tender.

Step 6

Add the roasted spice mix, lemon juice, and roasted cumin powder. Stir for 2–3 minutes.

Step 7

Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

Step 1

Serve hot with Steamed rice or jeera rice

Step 2

Chapati, paratha, or naan

Step 3

Or as a spicy appetizer with lemon wedges and onion rings

Calories

266.7kcal (13.33%)

Cut chicken into smaller pieces for faster cooking.

Marinate overnight for deeper flavour.

Mustard oil enhances the desi aroma.

Adjust spice levels to suit your taste.

Swap fried onions with store-bought crispy onions to save time.

Can I use boneless chicken?

Yes! Boneless thigh pieces work best as they stay juicy. Just adjust the cooking time slightly as boneless cooks faster.

Can I skip the fresh spice roasting step?

You can use store-bought masala, but freshly roasted spices give a richer, more authentic flavour.

What kind of curd works best?

Use thick, full-fat curd to prevent curdling and ensure a creamy masala coating.

How do I make it spicier or milder?

Increase or decrease the number of whole chillies and adjust the Kashmiri chilli powder according to taste.

carom seeds (ajwain)

whole dry Kashmiri red chillies

Kashmiri red chilli powder

medium onion, finely sliced

roasted cumin powder

fresh coriander leaves, chopped

Calories

266.7kcal (13.33%)

Step 1

Cut the chicken into small, bone-in pieces so they cook faster and absorb the marinade better.

Step 2

Mix with ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, black pepper, salt, and lemon juice. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes or more for deeper flavour.

Step 1

Dry roast coriander seeds, cumin seeds, peppercorns, ajwain, cinnamon, cardamoms, cloves, and whole red chillies on low-medium heat for 2–3 minutes until aromatic.

Step 2

Cool and coarsely grind.

Step 3

Stir in Kashmiri red chilli powder and chaat masala. Set aside.

Step 1

Heat oil in a flat pan and fry onions until golden. Remove and set aside.

Step 2

In the same pan, place marinated chicken in a single layer (without stirring) and cook on high until browned.

Step 3

Flip and cook until most moisture evaporates.

Step 4

Add fried onions, leftover marinade (if any), and curd. Mix well.

Step 5

Cover and cook on low heat until chicken is fully cooked and tender.

Step 6

Add the roasted spice mix, lemon juice, and roasted cumin powder. Stir for 2–3 minutes.

Step 7

Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

Step 1

Serve hot with Steamed rice or jeera rice

Step 2

Chapati, paratha, or naan

Step 3

Or as a spicy appetizer with lemon wedges and onion rings

Calories

266.7kcal (13.33%)

Cut chicken into smaller pieces for faster cooking.

Marinate overnight for deeper flavour.

Mustard oil enhances the desi aroma.

Adjust spice levels to suit your taste.

Swap fried onions with store-bought crispy onions to save time.

Can I use boneless chicken?

Yes! Boneless thigh pieces work best as they stay juicy. Just adjust the cooking time slightly as boneless cooks faster.

Can I skip the fresh spice roasting step?

You can use store-bought masala, but freshly roasted spices give a richer, more authentic flavour.

What kind of curd works best?

Use thick, full-fat curd to prevent curdling and ensure a creamy masala coating.

How do I make it spicier or milder?

Increase or decrease the number of whole chillies and adjust the Kashmiri chilli powder according to taste.

Easy Desi-Style Chicken Fry (No Deep-Frying)

Stuck mid-recipe?

Ingredients

For Marination

For Spice Mix

For the Masala

Want to keep this recipe for later? We can email it to you!

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories

266.7kcal (13.33%)

Protein

25.0g (50%)

Carbs

6.7g (2.43%)

Sugars

1.3g (2.66%)

Healthy Fat

8.4g

Unhealthy Fat

3.3g

% Daily Value based on a 2000 calorie diet

How to make Easy Desi-Style Chicken Fry (No Deep-Frying)

Marinate the Chicken

Prepare the Spice Mix

Cook the Chicken

Serving Suggestions

Want to keep this recipe for later? We can email it to you!

Nutrition (per serving)

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories

266.7kcal (13.33%)

Protein

25.0g (50%)

Carbs

6.7g (2.43%)

Sugars

1.3g (2.66%)

Healthy Fat

8.4g

Unhealthy Fat

3.3g

% Daily Value based on a 2000 calorie diet

Tips & Tricks

FAQS

Leena Kohli

(@leenakohli)

Easy Desi-Style Chicken Fry (No Deep-Frying)

Stuck mid-recipe?

Ingredients

For Marination

For Spice Mix

For the Masala

Want to keep this recipe for later? We can email it to you!

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories

266.7kcal (13.33%)

Protein

25.0g (50%)

Carbs

6.7g (2.43%)

Sugars

1.3g (2.66%)

Healthy Fat

8.4g

Unhealthy Fat

3.3g

% Daily Value based on a 2000 calorie diet

How to make Easy Desi-Style Chicken Fry (No Deep-Frying)

Marinate the Chicken

Prepare the Spice Mix

Cook the Chicken

Serving Suggestions

Want to keep this recipe for later? We can email it to you!

Nutrition (per serving)

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories

266.7kcal (13.33%)

Protein

25.0g (50%)

Carbs