Garlic Chicken, also known as Lehsuni Murgh, is a robust and aromatic Indian chicken curry filled with the bold, pungent flavor of fresh garlic. This dish is perfect for garlic lovers, offering a simple yet mouthwatering curry that can be made with just a handful of ingredients. The minimal use of spices and the generous amount of garlic make this chicken curry easy to prepare but full of irresistible flavors.
What is Garlic Chicken (Lehsuni Murgh)?
Lehsuni Murgh is a traditional Indian chicken curry where garlic is the star ingredient. "Lehsun" means garlic, and "Murgh" means chicken in Hindi. This curry is known for its rich garlic flavor that infuses every bite of chicken. It's perfect for those who enjoy savory, garlic-packed dishes and want a comforting curry with minimal effort.
Key Ingredients
Chicken: Choose either bone-in or boneless chicken, depending on your preference.
Fresh Garlic: About 15 cloves of garlic for a fragrant and flavorful base.
Yogurt: Used to marinate the chicken, making it tender and enhancing the curry's richness.
Ginger: Adds a refreshing spice that complements the garlic.
Onion: A key ingredient for caramelization, adding depth and sweetness to balance the strong garlic flavor.
Spices: Simple spices like turmeric, cumin, coriander, and chili powder are used to season the chicken.
The curry is a one pot hearty meal. Chicken tastes best when marinated for a minimum of four hours. I often leave it overnight. It also fastens the cooking process.
How to Make
Marinate the Chicken: Marinate chicken pieces with yogurt, garlic, turmeric, and salt. Let it sit for at least 4 hours (overnight for deeper flavor).
Cook the Garlic: In a pan, heat oil and add sliced garlic, ginger, and green chilies. Let the garlic sizzle and turn golden brown.
Sauté the Onion: Add chopped onions, along with cumin, coriander, and chili powder. Cook until the onions turn golden brown and caramelized.
Add the Marinated Chicken: Stir the marinated chicken into the onion and garlic mixture. Cook until the chicken is tender, about 15-20 minutes (depending on whether you're using boneless or bone-in chicken).
Final Touches: Garnish with cilantro, garam masala, and any remaining garlic chips. Adjust salt and add water for more gravy if desired.
Why You'll Love This Curry
Customizable: Adjust the consistency of the gravy by adding more water or enjoy it as a dry curry with a perfect balance of spices.
Garlic Flavor: If you love garlic, this dish will satisfy your cravings with its bold, fragrant flavor.
Quick and Easy: With a simple list of ingredients, this curry comes together quickly, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.
Tips for Perfect Garlic Chicken
- Marination: Marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours to allow the garlic to infuse the meat for better flavor.
- Cooking the Garlic: Be sure to add garlic to cold oil to avoid burning it. Slow cooking the garlic allows it to infuse the oil and develop its rich flavor.
- Adjust the Gravy: If you prefer a saucier curry, add water during the cooking process to create more gravy.
More Indian Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
Creamy Malai Chicken - Murgh Malaiwala
Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb chicken (I used with skinless chicken pieces with bones in)
- 15 cloves of garlic
- 1 inch fresh ginger
- ½ cup thick plain yogurt
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 1 medium size red onion
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoon oil
- 1 green chili
- ½ teaspoon garam masala powder
- ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro leaves
Instructions
- You will use 10 garlic cloves to marinate the chicken. The other 5 will be used while cooking the curry. Grate or pound 10 garlic cloves along with ginger. Slice thinly, the remaining 5 garlic cloves
- If you are using chicken drumsticks, make sure to score the meat portion a couple of times.
- In a bowl add the chicken pieces along with yogurt, pounded garlic, ½ teaspoon turmeric and 1 teaspoon salt. Give it a mix nicely to coat all the chicken pieces. Keep it aside for minimum 4 hrs or overnight for maximum flavor blend.
- When you are ready to prepare the chicken curry, place a
heavy bottom nonstick pan on the stove at medium heat. Pour the oil along with the sliced garlic, chopped green chili and chopped ginger. As the oil heats up, the garlic will start to sizzle and slowly turn golden brown. Take out some garlic chips to add later in garnish. - To the wok add the sliced onion. Sprinkle the rest of the salt, sugar and turmeric along with the spices (cumin powder, coriander powder and chili powder). Stir and cook the onion for 3 minutes, or until it’s golden brown.
- Then add the marinated chicken and stir it to incorporate everything. If you are using boneless chicken cubes, it will take 15minutes to cook the chicken. If you use chicken with bones in, then it will take about 20 minutes.
- After 10 minutes of cooking the chicken, it will start to release water. Now depending on how much gravy you want, add water and let it continue cooking.
- Once the chicken is cooked, taste for salt and add any if needed.
- Finally sprinkle finely chopped cilantro leaves, garam masala powder and give it a mix.
ATasteOfMadness
Whoa.. this chicken is making me hungry!! I love garlic, this looks perfect for me!
dixya
im the same way when it comes to garlic..i will definitely be thinking of this when i make chicken next time 🙂
Reem | Simply Reem
OK so I come back to this post to read the recipe as I get ready to plunge into garlicy goodness and realize I have not left comment.... Can you believe it! I mean I read the post same day.. I drooled thinking about this everyday and I missed to leave a comment..
Anyways I am just loving this! Amen to the Garlic Goodness!
Liren
Most definitely. I can't live without garlic, and because of me, my husband seems to think that Filipinos are the world's largest consumers of garlic. While I'm not sure of that assumption, I am certain that this is my kind of dish.
Kitchen Belleicious
oh wow! this is like having the 50 cloves of garlic chicken but without all the time and energy added to it. I mean it is full of amazing flavor !
nipponnin
I love garlic! The aroma is fantastic. I just used a lots in my pork recipe. Your garlic pic is stunning! And others are equally beautiful!
Kulsum
If you don't like garlic, you can't be friends with me, is what I usually tell people 🙂 I was working on a post about ginger chicken while browsing and saw your new post on garlic chicken! So good to see you back.
Joyti
Yes, definitely a garlic lover here! I use it in my cooking more often than not.
The chicken dish sounds lovely and flavorful but still simple, and yes, Prerna's dishes are sooo good! Thanks for sharing your lovely photographs with us 🙂
Caroline
Hi. My name is Caroline. I love searching food blogs. I have a few favorites. My 5 kids (yes, 5) love what I find. I love two blogs, yours and another called "Cooking With Mr. C." (on Facebook which also takes you to the blog) Between the two of you, I'm kept very busy. Keep up the wonderful work. It's so appreciated.
Caroline
Sihi
Hi Kankana,
Definitely a 'yes' on garlic. Lovely clicks.
Best,
Sihi
easyfoodsmith
I can't imagine a single day without garlic!! It is an omnipresent element in most of the meals that I make.
Your garlic chicken has captured my imagination.
rebecca
looks great and love how fast it cooks
Food to Fitness
You have a beautiful blog. Thanks for the recipe. It looks delicious.
nandoo
Same here. Was not used to garlic during childhood but now it is unavoidable. Love this post. Garlic chicken looks tempting.
Rosa
Exactly, there is no right or wrong when cooking... I use garlic a lot and I find that it doesn't cover the natural taste of food. All the contrary. But then again, being a garlic fan, I'm slightly biased!
This dish looks and sounds fabulous!
Cheers,
Rosa
nags
love this post, and yes, i am definitely a garlic fan!
Tika Hapsari Nilmada
Beautiful photos, Kana 🙂
Garlic gives sensational taste to the food. Would love to give it a try !
Medha
It looks like garlic fans' get-togather here!I am huge garlic fan- specially with Chicken and love your gorgeous pictures. I have to make this curry tonight for dinner:)