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Chicken Pathia Recipe

4.4 from 111 reviews

Chicken Pathia is a vibrant and tangy curry dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich, spiced tomato sauce infused with cinnamon, tamarind, and fragrant spices. This recipe balances sweet, sour, and spicy flavors, making it a delightful option for those who enjoy bold Indian-inspired cuisine. Served with boiled rice and fresh coriander, it’s a perfect meal for dinner or lunch.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Paste

  • 1 large onion (peeled and roughly chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (peeled)
  • 2 tsp minced ginger

For the Curry

  • 3 tbsp ghee or vegetable oil
  • 3 chicken breasts (chopped into bitesize chunks, about 525g or 18.5oz)
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp medium curry powder (hot if preferred)
  • ½ tsp hot chilli powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ¼ tsp ground fenugreek
  • ½ tsp tamarind paste
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • 400 ml (14 oz) passata
  • 2 tbsp tomato puree
  • 2 red chillies (roughly chopped, Fresno or Serrano preferred)
  • 60 ml (1/4 cup) chicken stock

To Serve

  • Fresh chopped coriander
  • Lemon slices
  • Boiled rice

Instructions

  1. Prepare the onion paste: Add the onion, garlic, and minced ginger to a mini food processor and blend until it forms a smooth paste.
  2. Fry the paste: Heat the ghee or vegetable oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Add the blended onion paste and fry for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture starts to brown around the edges, developing rich flavor.
  3. Cook the chicken: Add the chopped chicken pieces to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes while stirring often, just until the chicken seals and changes color on the outside.
  4. Add spices: Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the ground cinnamon, curry powder, hot chilli powder, paprika, ground fenugreek, and tamarind paste. Cook this spiced mixture for 1 minute to release the aromas, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
  5. Add liquids and simmer: Pour in the lemon juice, sugar, salt, passata, tomato puree, chopped red chillies, and chicken stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook gently for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
  6. Serve: Plate the chicken pathia and garnish with fresh chopped coriander and lemon slices. Serve hot accompanied by boiled rice to soak up the delicious sauce.

Notes

  • Adjust the chilli powder and fresh chillies according to your preferred spice level.
  • Ghee adds a rich, buttery flavor, but vegetable oil can be used for a lighter taste.
  • For a thicker sauce, simmer for a few extra minutes until desired consistency is reached.
  • Tamarind paste is key to the signature tanginess; do not omit or substitute without considering flavor impact.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on stovetop or microwave.

Keywords: Chicken Pathia, Indian curry, tangy chicken curry, chicken recipe, spicy chicken curry, easy Indian recipe