Chicken Karahi is a very popular and tasty dish in Pakistan. It is spicy and full of flavor. People love to eat it at home, on the streets, and in restaurants. The usual is red because it has tomatoes, garlic, ginger, and spices that give it a strong taste.
But now, in 2025, a new kind called White Chicken Karahi is becoming popular. This version is creamy and mild. It uses yogurt and cream instead of tomatoes, so the sauce is smooth and not too spicy. Many people are trying this new style and liking it a lot.
In this article, we will talk about— the old traditional way You will learn how this famous dish is changing but still staying a part of Pakistan’s food culture.
Chicken Karahi: Pakistan’s Famous
It is one of the most popular dishes in Pakistan. Many people eat it every day, whether at home, on the street, or in restaurants. It is full of strong flavors, spicy, and cooked quickly. It has been a favorite meal for a very long time.
In 2025, a new kind of Chicken Karahi called White Chicken Karahi is becoming very popular. This dish is creamy and less spicy. It gives a fresh and new taste
What is Chicken Karahi?
Chicken Karahi is a curry made with chicken and cooked in a special round deep pan called a karahi (like a wok). The usual is red because it uses fresh tomatoes and red chili powder. It tastes spicy and rich.
The main ingredients in traditional Chicken Karahi are:
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Chicken pieces (usually with bones for more taste)
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Fresh tomatoes
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Garlic and ginger
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Green chilies
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Red chili powder and black pepper
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Fresh coriander leaves (cilantro)
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Cooking oil or ghee (clarified butter)
The chicken is cooked quickly at high heat so that the spices and tomatoes create a thick, spicy sauce that sticks to the chicken. This dish is served very hot, often right in the karahi pan, with naan bread or rice.
Where Does Chicken Karahi Come From?
Chicken Karahi started in the Punjab region of Pakistan. The name “karahi” is from the deep round cooking pot used to make the dish. This pot helps cook food evenly and fast, which brings out great flavors.
This dish has been loved by people for many years. You can find it in homes, street food places, and restaurants all over Pakistan, especially in cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. People enjoy it on special days and also as a regular meal.
Why Do People Love Chicken Karahi So Much?
There are many reasons why Chicken Karahi is very popular:
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Great Taste: The mix of fresh tomatoes, garlic, ginger, and spices makes a strong and tasty flavor.
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Fast to Cook: It cooks quickly, which is good for busy families.
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Easy to Eat With Many Things: You can eat it with naan, roti, paratha, or rice.
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Cheap Ingredients: The things used to make it are easy to find and not expensive.
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Comfort Food: Many Pakistanis grew up eating this dish, so it feels like home.
What is White Chicken Karahi?
In 2025, a new type called White Chicken Karahi is becoming very popular. This is different from the red kind because it does not use tomatoes or red chili powder. Instead, it is made with yogurt, cream, and butter, which makes it smooth and creamy and gives it a white color.
Why is White Chicken Karahi Special?
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Creamy Sauce: Yogurt and cream make the sauce thick and smooth.
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Mild Taste: It is less spicy but still tasty because of garlic, green chilies, and black pepper.
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Rich Flavor: Butter or ghee makes it taste rich and yummy.
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Looks Different: The white color makes it look nice and special on the table.
What Ingredients Do You Need for White Chicken Karahi?
Here is what you need to make White Chicken Karahi:
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Chicken pieces
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Yogurt (full-fat works best)
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Fresh cream
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Garlic and ginger
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Green chilies
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Black pepper
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Butter or ghee
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Fresh coriander leaves
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Salt and some simple spices (like cumin or coriander powder, optional)
Why is White Chicken Karahi Popular in 2025?
There are many reasons White Karahi is becoming popular now:
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Social Media Its creamy white color looks very nice in pictures, so many food bloggers and Instagram users love sharing it.
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Health and Taste
Some people like it because it is less spicy and uses yogurt, which is easier to digest and healthy. -
Mixing with Other Foods
Chefs are using White Chicken Karahi in new ways like pasta or wraps. This makes it exciting and new. -
Restaurants
Many restaurants have added White Chicken Karahi to their menu to give customers a new choice.
How to Make Traditional Chicken Karahi at Home
Here is a simple way to cook classic Chicken Karahi:
Ingredients:
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1 kg chicken pieces
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4 medium tomatoes, chopped
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4 garlic cloves, chopped
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1-inch ginger piece, grated
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4 green chilies, sliced
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1 teaspoon red chili powder
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1 teaspoon black pepper
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Salt to taste
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4 tablespoons cooking oil or ghee
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Fresh coriander leaves to decorate
Method:
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Heat oil in a deep pan or karahi on high heat.
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Add garlic, ginger, and green chilies; cook for 1-2 minutes.
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Add chicken pieces and cook until they turn white and a little brown.
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Add tomatoes, red chili powder, black pepper, and salt.
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Cook on medium heat, stirring now and then, until tomatoes become soft and sauce thickens.
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Cook until chicken is fully done and sauce is thick and spicy.
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Decorate with fresh coriander and serve hot with naan or rice.
How to Make White Chicken Karahi at Home
Here is an easy recipe for White Chicken Karahi:
Ingredients:
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1 kg chicken pieces
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1 cup yogurt
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1/2 cup fresh cream
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4 garlic cloves, chopped
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1-inch ginger piece, grated
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4 green chilies, sliced
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1 teaspoon black pepper
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Salt to taste
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4 tablespoons butter or ghee
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Fresh coriander leaves to decorate
Method:
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Heat butter or ghee in a deep pan or karahi on medium heat.
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Add garlic, ginger, and green chilies; cook for 2 minutes.
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Add chicken pieces and cook until slightly brown.
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Lower heat and add yogurt, stirring well so it does not curdle.
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Add cream, black pepper, and salt; mix well.
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Cover and cook on low heat until chicken is soft and sauce is thick.
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Decorate with fresh coriander and serve hot with naan or rice.
What to Eat with Karahi
Both kinds of Chicken Karahi taste great with:
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Fresh naan or roti
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Paratha
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Steamed basmati rice
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Salad and pickles
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Mint chutney or yogurt sauce (raita)
You can also eat them with sliced onions, lemon slices, and fresh herbs for extra taste.
Different Types of Karahi
Besides red and white Chicken Karahi, people make many other versions:
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Spicy Karachi Style Karah: Extra hot with lots of green chilies and special spices.
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Butter Chicken Karahi: Very rich with lots of butter and cream.
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Vegetable Karahi: Made with mixed vegetables instead of chicken.
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Mutton or Beef Karahi: Made with mutton or beef for stronger taste.
Why You Should Try Both Kinds
Trying both traditional and lets you enjoy many flavors from Pakistan. The red one is spicy and sour, great for those who like hot food. The white one is smooth and mild, good for people who like less spice.
Having both gives you more choices and makes meals fun and tasty.
FAQs
1. What is Chicken Karahi?
It is a spicy and flavorful chicken curry cooked in a round deep pan called a karahi. It is made with chicken, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, and spices.
2. Where did Karahi come from?
It comes from the Punjab region of Pakistan and has been a popular dish there for many years.
3. What makes White Karahi different?
white does not use tomatoes. Instead, it has a creamy gravy made from yogurt, cream, and butter, which makes it milder and creamier than the traditional red version.
4. Why is Chicken Karahi becoming popular in 2025?
It is popular because of its creamy taste, milder spice, attractive look for social media, and new ways chefs are using it in fusion dishes like pasta and wraps.
5. Is White Karahi healthier than traditional Chicken Karahi?
It uses yogurt, which can be easier to digest. However, it also contains cream and butter, so it’s rich. Both versions can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
6. Can I make Karahi at home?
Yes! Both traditional and can be made easily at home with simple ingredients like chicken, spices, yogurt, tomatoes, and cream.
7. What should I eat with Karahi?
It goes well with naan, roti, paratha, or steamed rice. It also tastes great with salad, pickles, and yogurt raita.
8. How spicy is traditional Karahi?
Traditional is usually quite spicy because of the red chili powder and green chilies used in it.
9. Is White Karahi spicy?
White milder in spice but still has some heat from green chilies and black pepper.
10. Can I use boneless chicken for Karahi?
Yes, boneless chicken can be used, but many people prefer bone-in pieces for more flavor.
11. Are there other versions of Chicken Karahi?
Yes! Besides red and white Karahi, there are spicy Karachi-style, vegetable karahi, and versions made with mutton or beef.
12. Why is Karahi served hot in the karahi pan?
Serving it hot in the same pan keeps the dish fresh, flavorful, and makes for a nice presentation.
Final Thoughts
This dish that will never get old. It uses simple ingredients but tastes amazing. The new White Chicken Karahi in 2025 shows how Pakistani food is changing but still keeps tradition.
Whether you like spicy red or creamy white, both are delicious ways to enjoy Pakistani food.
Try cooking these dishes at home and share them with your family and friends. You will love the taste of Pakistan!
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Big Shoutout to the guys who made this blog happen UDM.
