Dairy-Free Achari Chicken

Dive into the bold and tangy flavors of Dairy-Free Achari Chicken, a vibrant twist on the classic Indian favorite that’s perfect for those avoiding dairy. This dish features tender, marinated chicken thighs cooked in a medley of aromatic pickling spices like cumin, nigella, fenugreek, and fennel seeds—sautéed to perfection in mustard oil for a distinctive punch. A rich tomato-based masala infused with garlic, ginger, and an array of warm spices makes the gravy irresistibly flavorful. Serve this hearty, dairy-free delight with steaming basmati rice, soft roti, or naan for a wholesome, satisfying meal. Ready in just an hour, it’s a must-try for spice lovers looking for a healthier indulgence!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams Boneless chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons Mustard oil
• 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon Fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon Nigella seeds
• 0.5 teaspoon Fenugreek seeds
• 0.5 teaspoon Black mustard seeds
• 1 large Onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon Ginger, minced
• 2 medium Tomatoes, pureed
• 1 teaspoon Red chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 2 teaspoons Coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Cut the boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, marinate the chicken with lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Set aside for 15 minutes.

Step 2

Heat mustard oil in a large pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the cumin seeds, fennel seeds, nigella seeds, fenugreek seeds, and black mustard seeds. Sauté until the seeds start to crackle.

Step 3

Add the chopped onion to the pan and cook until it turns golden brown.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and ginger. Cook for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the tomato puree, red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, and salt to the pan. Cook the mixture until the oil starts to separate from the masala.

Step 6

Add the marinated chicken pieces to the pan. Stir well to coat the chicken with the masala.

Step 7

Lower the heat and cover the pan. Cook the chicken for about 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the flavors have melded.

Step 8

Garnish the Dairy-Free Achari Chicken with freshly chopped cilantro before serving.

Step 9

Serve hot with steamed rice, roti, or naan.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(868.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1402.5

Total Fat 95.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 18.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 433.3mg	0%
Sodium 2747.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 40.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.0g	0%
Total Sugars 12.6g
Protein 107.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 280.4mg	0%
Iron 15.7mg	0%
Potassium 2065.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 59.3%

Protein: 29.7%

Carbs: 11.0%