This food street inspired white chicken karhai will leave those desi taste buds drooling for more

As we know, Lahore is well known for its gastronomic treats, and is considered one of the culinary titans of Pakistan. I recently had the chance to visit the city and the famous food street.

Upon entering the street, my mouth automatically started watering. The atmosphere was thick with steam, oil, and smoke from the countless karhais loaded with chicken and marinated kebabs on the charcoal grills. Watching the chef add green chillies to the wok was nothing short of torture. But it was one well worth waiting for.

As soon as the dish was placed in front of me, I jumped at it. It was just me and the chicken karhai, and that’s all my brain comprehended. For me, the chicken karhai is food street’s star attraction.

Hence, I decided to go desi this time around and post a well-loved recipe, but one not on the traditional lines. Chicken white karhai is a recipe for people who don’t like tomatoes or onions in their food. But this recipe won’t let you feel that something is missing and will absolutely tantalise those desi taste buds. It tastes absolutely delicious with hot naan or tandoori roti… or rognhi naan (yes, I am obsessed).

Chicken white karhai is a recipe for people who don’t like tomatoes or onions in their food.

Ingredients:

Chicken – 1 kg (16 pieces)

Green chillies ground – 1 tsp

Ginger garlic paste – 1 tsp

Salt – 1½ tsp

Crushed and roasted cumin – 1½ tsp

Black pepper – 1 tsp (coarsely crushed)

Lemon juice – ¼ cup

All spice – ½ tsp

Green chillies – 6 (chopped)

Ginger Julienne – 2 tbsp

Fresh cream – 4 tbsp

Oil – ½ cup

Yogurt – ½ cup

Method:

1. Heat oil in a wok. Add ginger garlic paste and fry for a few minutes until it turns golden brown in colour.

2. Add the chicken pieces and fry for five minutes. Next, add salt, crushed black pepper, crushed cumin and yogurt. Cover and cook for 15 minutes until the chicken is tender.

3. In the end, add the cream, all spice and lemon juice. Mix well and cook until you see the oil floating on top.

For me, at least chicken karhai is Food Street’s star attraction.

All photos: Arhama Siddiqa