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.
Abbe@This is How I C
I couldn't live without garlic! Love this recipe!
Manju @ Manju'sEatin
Same here...never grew up eating too much garlic, but its a must now in all my savory dishes as well...Lovely recipe and good to see you back after a while 😉
Coco in the Kitchen
Gotta keep those vampires at bay!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
I love these flavors, wonderful curry!
Nusrat Azim
Can't live without garlic :)Period :)Mom used to make similar type of garlicky chicken back in the days. Your post brought me back to my Mom's kitchen.
Mesmerizing, hypnotizing photos, as always. Loved everything about them. Light, frame, angle, composition...
You're such a treasure, Kankana!
Kiran
So delicious!! Love anything that's garlicky and masaledar 😉 Lovely clicks, K!
Shema | LifeScoops
Easy chicken recipes are always a keeper... Nice clicks as always dear!
Eve@cheapethniceatz
Love garlic so this recipe looks just tasty and amazing, pinned it.
Grandbaby Cakes
Two things I love in one. Garlic and chicken. Gorgeous photos!
Chitrangada
G for garlic, from alubhaja to musur dal...I love garlic. Love this recipe, sounds great.
Cecilia
Oh my, it's only breakfast but I would eat a bowl of that. I love garlic. Your blog is absolutely beautiful!
Marie @ Little Kitch
I'm crazy about garlic! This dish sounds delicious, and the photos are absolutely stunning.
Poornima
The curry looks amazing and I love that it has lots of garlic. Stunning pictures, love the second one!
Anita Menon
Looks amazing! The photos are fantastic
indugetscooking
I grew up eating ton load of garlic! And totally love it. Added generously in all dishes except Kerala stir fires. My mom says it protects us from diseases!
Love, love, love the garlic chicken. Would surely try it out.
Ash-foodfashionparty
Garlic, how much I love it, can't live without it.
A perfect combination and a simple yet very flavorful dish. Lovely pictures as usual.
Nami | JOC
Traditional Japanese food doesn't use too much garlic (very rare), so whenever I go to Taiwan to visit my in-laws, I have hard time digesting garlic (lots of garlic in almost all food). I love garlic but my body cannot digest that much I guess. I enjoy cooking with garlic, and this chicken sounds fantastic!
Sarah | TheSugarHit
THIS CURRY LOOKS AMAZING. I want to eat is times 1000. I am a huge garlic fan, so this is RIGHT up my alley. YUM.
Shumaila The Novice
Oh, garlic, how I love thee!!!
I so wish I could be there in your kitchen when you made this, I would have devoured it! Gorgeous clicks as always Kankana and a lip smacking dish!
Lail | With A Spin
I'm a garlic fan all the way! Wouldn't give it up. Love that garlic photo with the turmeric background.