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Charsi Karahi Recipe (Peshawari Chicken Karahi)

This simple Charsi Karahi recipe, also known as Peshawari karahi, is cooked with just salt, black pepper, and a handful of fresh ingredients.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 516 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Pakistani

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs chicken (see notes)
  • 2 cups cooking oil (see notes)
  • 4 roma tomatoes
  • 2 teaspoon garlic paste
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper (see notes)
  • 4 Serrano peppers (see notes)
  • ½ lemon
  • 1 tablespoon julienned ginger
  • ½ cup chopped cilantro

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cut the tomatoes and serrano chilies in half, julienne the ginger, chop the cilantro, and set everything aside to use later.
  2. Heat the cooking oil in a karahi or cast iron skillet and fry the chicken for 10 minutes, stirring constantly to brown it evenly.
  3. Discard all but half a cup of the oil, reduce the heat to low, place the halved tomatoes on top, and cover for 10 minutes.
  4. Uncover and press the tomatoes gently to check if they have softened. Use a set of tongs to peel away the skin gently. (see notes)
  5. Add the salt, black pepper, garlic paste, and serrano chilies and stir fry for 10 minutes, mashing the peeled tomatoes as you work. (see notes)
  6. Turn the stove off once all the excess liquid from the tomatoes has dried out, squeeze the lemon, and garnish with the ginger and cilantro before serving.

Notes

  • The chicken - Use a whole bone-in chicken cut into 14 pieces, known as a karahi cut. This allows for quicker and more even cooking.
  • The cooking oil -  Use budget-friendly, neutral cooking oil with a high smoking point, such as canola, sunflower, or vegetable oil.
  • The cooking oil -  Use budget-friendly, neutral cooking oil with a high smoking point, such as canola, sunflower, or vegetable oil.
  • The black pepper - Use freshly ground peppercorns in this recipe for best results.
  • Serrano peppers - These provide just the right amount of heat for this recipe. The chicken needs a little kick since very few powdered spices are used. However, if you find these too spicy, deseed them.
  • Serrano peppers - These provide just the right amount of heat for this recipe. The chicken needs a little kick since very few powdered spices are used. However, if you find these too spicy, deseed them.
  • Cooking the tomatoes - Placing the tomatoes on top of the chicken helps soften them through steam. This makes it easy to remove the peel and crush them into a paste as the chicken is stir-fried along with the spices and chilies.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 516kcal (26%) Carbohydrates 8g (3%) Protein 22g (44%) Fat 45g (69%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Polyunsaturated Fat 12g Monounsaturated Fat 25g Trans Fat 0.2g Cholesterol 82mg (27%) Sodium 666mg (28%) Potassium 565mg (16%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 1373IU (27%) Vitamin C 30mg (33%) Calcium 36mg (4%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 516

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 516kcal 26%
Carbohydrates 8g 3%
Protein 22g 44%
Fat 45g 69%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Polyunsaturated Fat 12g 71%
Monounsaturated Fat 25g 125%
Trans Fat 0.2g 10%
Cholesterol 82mg 27%
Sodium 666mg 28%
Potassium 565mg 12%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 1373IU 27%
Vitamin C 30mg 33%
Calcium 36mg 4%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.