Curry, curry, curry, can’t you see? Sometimes your ways just hypnotize me.
Yes, that’s right. I’d like to introduce to you some really good, really satisfying Indian dinners that, in fact, you can make right at home. These Indian recipes are all the good things that I’m looking for.
1. Tandoori Chicken
No wonder tandoori chicken is a well loved favorite all over the world. This dish is made with roasted chicken that’s been marinated in a mixture of yogurt, cayenne pepper, and garam masala.
Never heard of garam masala? It’s a mind blowing combination of cinnamon, pepper, coriander, cumin, and cardamom. A teaspoon of this spice blend will knock your socks off!
The dish gets its name from “tandoor,” a cylindrical clay oven, but don’t worry. You’ll still get those amazing flavors even if you use a regular oven.
2. Dal Tadka
This version of lentil soup is simple yet totally sublime. I mean, just picture this: split pigeon peas and split chickpeas cooked until they are ultra tender, rich, and creamy.
They get seasoned with tomatoes, turmeric, and ginger, and then cooked again in ghee over high heat to release even more flavor. This side dish can transform any meal into a fantastic feast. It’s the ultimate Indian side dish!
3. Lamb Bhuna
Lamb bhuna, or lamb curry, is a popular Indian comfort food. What makes it different from other curries, you ask?
Well, this one uses a “bhooning” process, which is where the name bhuna comes from. It’s a browning process where the spices are cooked over high heat in oil.
This method brings out the maximum flavor and aroma of the spices, which makes it taste heavenly. The meat is also cooked in the spices, giving it such bold flavors.
4. Vegetable Jalfrezi
This all veggie dish is proof that food doesn’t have to be fatty to be tasty. Vegetable jalfrezi is a medley of carrots, green beans, bell pepper, corn, green peas, onions, and tomatoes.
The whole thing is seasoned with ginger, garlic, turmeric, cumin, coriander, chili pepper, sunflower oil, garam masala, and Fenugreek leaves for a stunning symphony of flavors.
It’s beloved not just in India, but around the world as well. Besides the dynamic flavors, it’s also so easy to prepare. It’s like a stir fry, but loaded with more spices.
5. Prawn Malai Curry
If you’re a seafood lover, this unique curry dish is a must try. It’s cooked using the famous “bhooning” process, where spices are cooked on high heat, but this time with prawns.
This dish is impossible to resist. The prawns are first marinated in turmeric and salt. Then, a blend of ginger, garam masala, onions, turmeric, chili powder, and cumin powder is cooked.
After that, coconut milk and yogurt are added for a thick and luscious sauce. It doesn’t stop there! Ghee is added to make it even more extra. Finally, the shrimp are cooked in the sauce for the most epic shrimp dish you will ever taste.
6. Fish Tikka
Fish tikka is salmon flavored with yogurt and spices and then baked to perfection. It is nutritious, delicious, and so easy to make! “Tikka” refers to meat that has been marinated in yogurt and spices.
This recipe adds a fresh riff on a classic by including chickpea flour. This is a total winner.
7. Aloo Chaat
Sorry French fries, but you are no match for this dish. Aloo chaat is a popular Indian street food snack that’s full of fantastic flavors and textures.
Potatoes are fried, then roasted in ghee or clarified butter and seasoned with spices and tamarind chutney. Seriously guys, potatoes have never tasted this good!
They’re golden crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and the butter, spice blend, and chutney create a perfect harmony of flavors. It’s no wonder this is highly addictive.
8. Chili Chicken
Spicy food lovers, gather ‘round! This chili chicken is an absolute must try.
You get crispy fried chicken all coated in a decadent gravy. It’s an Indochinese dish that hits all the notes with its special combination of sweet, spicy, savory, and sour sauce.
That medley of textures from the chicken and crunchy bell peppers will just blow you away. Serve it as an appetizer or pile it next to some rice for a main dish. It’s going to be an instant hit either way.
9. Matar Paneer
Matar, or mutter paneer, is a dish made with peas and paneer, which is a type of cottage cheese. It might sound like an unlikely combination, but it totally works.
What gives these elements so much flavor is a rich gravy made with onions and tomatoes. It creates a thick stew that pairs beautifully with naan or rice.
10. Goan Fish
Goan fish curry is pretty straightforward: it’s fish in a curry sauce. But the flavors are so delightful! The combination of creamy, salty, savory, and spicy makes the sauce 100% addictive.
Honestly, it’s so good I could eat it on its own. Or with a piece or two of naan or roti. And did I mention it only takes 30 minutes to cook? You can whip this up even on your busiest nights!
11. Lamb Rogan Josh
Lamb Rogan Josh, you guys. I am SO here for this. We’re talking about a ridiculously rich and creamy lamb curry. The lamb is slow cooked for two hours until it’s so fall apart tender it just melts in your mouth.
I absolutely love that distinct gamey flavor, and when you pair this with some rice? It’s one of the most delectable dinners ever. Don’t even worry about the spices; you’ll find all of them in your local grocery store.
12. Jeera Aloo
Tired of roasted potatoes? Give this side dish a try! Jeera aloo is an easy yet fantastic vegan dish made with spiced potatoes. It’s such a simple concept: soft potatoes sauteed in Indian spices.
But boy, the flavors are so wonderfully intense. It’s a fabulous way to breathe new life to your dinners.
13. Butter Chicken
If you think there’s no way you can pull this dish off, think again! Known as Murgh Makhani, this addictive butter chicken is ready in just 30 minutes.
We’re talking juicy chicken and a delectable sauce that is so good, it can rival any Indian restaurant. The thing that makes this dish so special is its insanely rich sauce.
It’s made with cream, butter, tomatoes, garlic, and ginger, and it is impossible to resist. Pour that lovely sauce over a bed of steaming basmati rice and eat to your heart’s content!
14. Kadai Chicken
This next dish is chicken flavored with tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic, and Indian spices and cooked to red hot perfection. “Kadai” refers to an Indian wok which is used to cook the chicken in.
It’s okay if you don’t have one, though. Any wok or deep frying pan will do for this recipe. Spiced with garam masala, coriander, red chillies, and fennel seed, kadai chicken is packed with heat and flavor.
15. Okra Masala
Want a healthy addition to your dinner? Bhindi, or okra masala, is another simple veggie dish that is packed with flavor. It’s okra, tomatoes, and onions in a rich curry sauce.
This dish is delicious and nutritious, so you can enjoy as much as you want. Fun fact: bhindi is one of the most common veggie staples in India.
There are tons of ways to cook it, but masala is one of my favorites. The sauce is a tad spicy, which is why it’s perfect with either rice, roti, or naan.
16. Chickpea Curry
Chana Masala is a savory dish made with chickpeas and curry, and it’s Indian comfort food at its best. The combination of curry powder, coconut milk, tomatoes, and spices is lip smackingly delicious!
It makes the humble chickpea dish just as scrumptious as any meat based dish. One spoonful of this thick stew will warm your tummy, heart, and soul. It’s also a total breeze to make, so you can whip it up whenever!
17. Malai Kofta
Just because a dish is vegetarian doesn’t mean it’s holding back! Malai Kofta is all about these amazing, bite sized balls made from potato and paneer, swimming in a rich, creamy, and spicy curry sauce.
The term “malai kofta” actually means “buttery spiced balls,” and I won’t be surprised if you pop one ball after another in your mouth! They are that good.
18. Chicken Madras
Chicken Madras is another popular curry based dish from India. This classic dish has wonderful bold flavors from curry, coconut milk, and spices.
Most curries are yellow, but since this one has paprika and red chili, it boasts a lovely red hue and is spicier than most, so eat at your own risk. It’s rich, spicy, and absolutely amazing, especially when eaten with fragrant basmati rice!
Together, they make such a hearty and satisfying meal. It’s also a cinch to make and is done in less than an hour, and it will make your kitchen smell like heaven, to boot.
19. Lamb Vindaloo
Indian cuisine makes use of lamb a lot, which makes me love it even more. Interestingly, this dish actually has Portuguese origins.
The name vindaloo comes from the Portuguese term “vinho e alhos,” which means meat with wine and garlic. The Indian adaptation added potatoes (“aloo”), curry, and chilies to the dish, giving it more texture, spice, and flavor.
The original Portuguese dish also traditionally used pork, but it was swapped for lamb since religion prohibits most Indians from eating it.
20. Indian Beef Kebab
Oh my goodness. These skewers are the absolute epitome of kebabs. You have melt in your mouth beef cubes swimming in a sauce of yogurt, ginger, and spices.
The yogurt doesn’t just make the beef super rich and tasty; it also makes it incredibly tender and juicy! Plus, the curry powder, garam masala, ginger, garlic, and smoked paprika take the flavor to a completely new level of excellence.
If you’re looking for a way to amp up your next grilling party, look no further.
21. Mango Chicken Curry
Chicken curry is already epic as it is. Adding sweet mangoes to it makes it even more spectacular. Just imagine the combination of rich, savory, spicy curry and ripe mangoes!
Man, just the thought of it is already making me hungry. And if you think this requires a lot of effort in the kitchen, you’re mistaken, my friend.
This dish only calls for 30 minutes! It couldn’t get any easier than that.
22. Chicken Biryani
Chicken biryani is one of the most popular dishes in Indian cuisine, and for good reason. Aromatic basmati rice gets mixed with tender, juicy chicken and a rich, buttery, and spicy sauce that is sure to make your mouth water.
What makes this dish a standout is the blend of herbs and spices. The combination of cinnamon, cilantro, curry, onion, garlic, and ginger creates such a wonderful warming sauce.
And get this: it all comes together in just 30 minutes. Even if you’re new to the kitchen, you will have no trouble with this one at all.
23. Dal
Dal is a staple in Indian cuisine. It’s a very simple recipe of lentils mixed with various spices. Every region in India has its own version of dal, but this recipe, called dal tadka, is one of my favorites.
The word “tadka” refers to a combination of spices cooked in hot oil, which is then drizzled over the lentils to add more flavor. Best eaten with basmati rice, dal can be served as a main dish for dinner.
24. Palak Paneer
Palak Paneer is cottage cheese and spinach swimming in a thick and spicy sauce. It is rich, creamy, and downright delicious.
The combination of cream and chilies in the sauce creates a perfect mix of rich and spicy. You can serve it for dinner with rice or as a snack with some naan bread.
The rice and bread help dial down the spiciness, giving you a beautiful balance of flavors. Plus, this recipe is super easy to make. It’s ready to devour in just 45 minutes!