Creamy Chicken Pasanda Recipe: The Silky Indian Comfort Dish

When creamy chicken pasanda wafts through the kitchen, culinary magic begins to unfold.

This luxurious dish carries rich cultural heritage from South Asian cuisine.

Tender meat revolutionizes into a velvety masterpiece with carefully balanced spices and smooth, silky sauce.

Aromatic ingredients blend seamlessly, creating layers of complex flavors that dance across your palate.

Subtle nuances of warmth and depth characterize this beloved recipe, inviting you to experience a gastronomic journey.

Mild yet sophisticated, pasanda represents comfort and elegance on a single plate.

Prepare to elevate your cooking skills and tantalize taste buds with this irresistible culinary creation.

Why You’ll Love Creamy Chicken Pasanda

• Indulge in Creamy Comfort: This chicken pasanda delivers rich, velvety sauce that wraps tender chicken in luxurious warmth, creating a soul-satisfying meal perfect for cozy evenings.
• Quick Spice Adventure: Packed with aromatic Indian spices like cardamom, cumin, and garam masala, the recipe transforms simple chicken into an exciting culinary journey within just 20 minutes of cooking time.
• Texture Paradise: Smooth yogurt and cream blend with crunchy ground almonds, offering a delightful contrast between silky sauce and nutty undertones that dance beautifully on your palate.
• Nutritious Elegance: Lean chicken breast combined with protein-rich almonds and yogurt creates a balanced dish that feels indulgent yet provides substantial nutritional value without compromising on taste.

Ingredients in Creamy Chicken Pasanda

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken Breast: Lean, tender meat that absorbs the rich spices and creates the main protein of the dish.

• Yogurt, Cream: Provide a smooth, creamy texture and balance the spicy flavors with their mild tanginess.

• Ground Almonds, Almond Flakes: Add richness, thickness to the sauce, and provide a delightful nutty crunch.

• Cardamom Pods: Offer a complex, slightly sweet and aromatic flavor characteristic of Indian cuisine.
• Cumin, Coriander, Garam Masala, Chilli Powder, Turmeric: Create a deep, warm spice blend that defines the pasanda's authentic taste profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing and balancing the overall flavor of the dish.

• Onion, Garlic, Ginger: Provide a foundational flavor base with depth and aromatic complexity.
• Fresh Coriander: Adds a bright, fresh herbal note to finish the dish.
• Ghee: Traditional cooking fat that adds richness and authentic Indian cooking flavor.

How to Store Creamy Chicken Pasanda Leftovers

• Refrigeration: Store leftover chicken pasanda in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Keep the dish away from raw foods to prevent cross-contamination.
• Freezing: Transfer cooled pasanda to a freezer-safe container with a tight lid. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Place a layer of plastic wrap directly on the sauce to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheating: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Warm gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of cream or water to restore the sauce's creamy consistency. Heat until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring chicken is thoroughly warmed.

Serving Ideas for Creamy Chicken Pasanda

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the creamy, spiced chicken pasanda with a chilled Gewürztraminer or Riesling, which balances the dish's rich flavors and cuts through the creamy texture.
• Match with Cooling Cucumber Raita: Serve a refreshing cucumber raita alongside the pasanda to provide a cool, tangy contrast to the warm, spicy chicken, enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Serve with Fragrant Basmati Rice: Choose long-grain basmati rice to soak up the creamy sauce, its delicate aroma perfectly matching the complex spices of the pasanda and creating a harmonious plate.
• Add Naan Bread for Dipping: Warm, pillowy naan bread becomes the ideal companion for scooping up the rich, almond-studded sauce, adding a delightful textural element to each bite.

New Twists on Creamy Chicken Pasanda

• Vegetarian Chickpea Pasanda: Replace chicken with tender chickpeas and roasted cauliflower florets for a protein-packed vegetarian alternative. Maintain the creamy spice blend and almond richness.
• Seafood Coconut Pasanda: Swap chicken for succulent prawns or white fish chunks. Use coconut milk instead of cream for a lighter, tropical-inspired version with the same aromatic spice profile.
• Lamb Pasanda: Substitute chicken with lean diced lamb for a robust, deeper-flavored dish. Slow-cook the meat to ensure tenderness while preserving the signature creamy almond sauce.
• Quick Instant Pot Pasanda: Streamline preparation by using an instant pot to reduce cooking time. Seal all ingredients together for faster, more intense flavor infusion without compromising the traditional spice blend.

Creamy Chicken Pasanda Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prepare Cooking Utensils

Gather a large frying pan, wooden spoon, and measuring spoons for your chicken pasanda adventure.

Step 2: Sauté Onions in Ghee

Heat ghee in the pan over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently until soft and translucent.

Step 3: Seal the Chicken

Add chicken breast pieces and cardamom pods to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken turns white on the outside.

Step 4: Build Flavor Profile

• Garlic
• Ginger
• Cumin
• Coriander
• Garam masala
• Chili powder
• Turmeric
• Salt
• Pepper

Cook for 2 minutes, ensuring chicken is evenly coated with spices.

Step 5: Create Creamy Sauce

• Yogurt
• Cream
• Ground almonds

Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 6-8 minutes until chicken is fully cooked.

Step 6: Finish and Garnish

Add fresh chopped coriander. Top with toasted almond flakes for extra crunch.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Plate the pasanda alongside steamed rice or warm chapati. Savor the rich, aromatic flavors of this classic Indian dish.

Helpful Hints for Creamy Chicken Pasanda

• Crush Cardamom for Maximum Flavor: Gently crush cardamom pods before adding to release their intense, aromatic essence and enhance the dish's overall flavor profile.
• Control Yogurt Consistency: Use room temperature yogurt to prevent curdling and ensure a smooth, creamy sauce that coats the chicken perfectly.
• Toast Almonds Carefully: Lightly toast almond flakes in a dry pan until golden brown to add a nutty crunch and deeper flavor to the final dish.
• Choose Chicken Wisely: Select fresh, high-quality chicken breast and cut into uniform pieces for even cooking and tender meat throughout the pasanda.
• Balance Spice Levels: Adjust chili powder according to your heat tolerance, tasting and adding gradually to create a personalized spice experience.

Creamy Chicken Pasanda Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Succulent chicken nestles in a luxurious North Indian cream sauce, blending aromatic spices with tender meat. Gentle almonds and fragrant herbs elevate this classic dish, inviting you to savor each silky, spice-laden bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 3 chicken breasts (525 g/1.1 lbs), chopped into bite-size chunks

Spices and Seasonings:

• 3 cardamom pods
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1.5 tsp ground coriander
• 1.5 tsp garam masala
• 0.5 tsp mild chilli powder (optional)
• 0.5 tsp turmeric
• 0.25 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 2 teaspoons minced ginger

Base and Creamy Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons ghee (or sunflower oil)
• 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
• 240 milliliters (1 cup) full-fat plain yogurt
• 60 milliliters (¼ cup) double (heavy) cream
• 3 tablespoons ground almonds (almond meal)
• 2 tablespoons toasted almond flakes
• 4 tablespoons freshly chopped coriander (cilantro)
• Boiled rice and/or chapati (for serving)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Melt ghee in a spacious skillet over medium heat, ensuring even distribution across the cooking surface.
2. Sauté finely chopped onions for approximately 4-5 minutes, gently stirring until they become translucent and soft.
3. Add chicken breast chunks and whole cardamom pods, stirring intermittently and cooking for 5-6 minutes until the chicken exterior turns golden and sealed.
4. Introduce minced garlic, grated ginger, and a blend of ground spices including cumin, coriander, garam masala, chili powder, turmeric, kosher salt, and black pepper, stirring thoroughly to coat the chicken evenly.
5. Pour in plain yogurt, heavy cream, and finely ground almonds, creating a rich, creamy sauce that envelops the chicken.
6. Allow the mixture to reach a gentle simmer, reducing heat and cooking for 7-8 minutes until chicken is completely cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
7. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro leaves, sprinkle with toasted almond flakes for added crunch and texture.
8. Serve immediately alongside steamed basmati rice or warm whole wheat chapati to complement the aromatic and creamy chicken pasanda.

Notes

• Elevate this dish by using fresh, high-quality chicken breast for the most tender and succulent results.
• Toast whole spices before grinding to release deeper, more complex flavor profiles in the pasanda.
• Keep the heat at a gentle simmer to prevent yogurt from splitting and ensure a smooth, creamy sauce.
• Opt for full-fat yogurt and cream to achieve the rich, luxurious texture traditional to this classic Indian dish.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting chili powder – start with less and add more to suit your spice tolerance.
• Allow the pasanda to rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to help flavors meld and sauce thicken naturally.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 425 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 125 mg