Murgh Barra

A rich Indian chicken curry featuring tender chicken pieces in a creamy cashew and yogurt-based gravy.

Preparation Time

  • Prep: 30 minutes
  • Cook: 45 minutes
  • Total: 75 minutes

Ingredients

For Marination

  • 1 kg chicken
  • 1 tbsp red chili powder
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • 2 green chilies, chopped
  • ¼ cup coriander leaves
  • 1 tsp ginger paste
  • 1 tsp garlic paste
  • ¼ tsp pepper powder
  • 1 tsp garam masala powder
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • 1 cup beaten yogurt
  • 1 cup fried onion (crushed)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon powder
  • 1 tbsp ghee

For Gravy

  • 1½ tbsp ghee
  • 1 tsp ginger paste
  • 1 tsp garlic paste
  • 1 cup fried onion paste
  • 5 tomatoes (boiled & pureed)
  • ½ cup cashew nut paste
  • 2 green chilies, chopped
  • ½ cup beaten yogurt
  • 1 cup water
  • Salt to taste
  • ¼ tsp garam masala powder
  • ¼ tsp pepper powder
  • Chaat masala
  • 1 tsp kasuri methi
  • 2 tbsp cream

For Garnish

  • Fresh cream
  • Kasuri methi
  • Coriander leaves
  • Lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Prepare base ingredients:

    • Fry onions until crisp
    • Make paste with half the fried onions
    • Boil and puree tomatoes
    • Make cashew nut paste
  2. Marinate chicken:

    • Combine all marination ingredients
    • Mix well and massage into chicken
    • Rest for 1 hour
  3. Cook chicken:

    • Heat ghee and oil in pan
    • Add marinated chicken
    • Sauté briefly
    • Cover and cook on medium until tender
  4. Make gravy:

    • Heat ghee in separate pan
    • Add ginger-garlic paste
    • Add onion paste, cook until oil separates
    • Add tomato puree, cook until oil separates
    • Add cashew paste, cook until oil separates
    • Add remaining ingredients
    • Simmer until gravy thickens
  5. Combine and finish:

    • Add cooked chicken to gravy
    • Add final seasonings
    • Cover and simmer briefly
    • Garnish before serving

Notes

  • Use bone-in chicken for more flavor
  • Fry onions until properly crisp for best taste
  • Cashew paste adds richness
  • Can adjust spice levels to taste
  • Best served with naan or rice
  • Marination time is crucial for flavor

Source