Chicken Bharta is a delicious, rich North Indian dish made by shredding chicken and then cooking it in a flavourful gravy, giving this particular dish a appetizing texture. The fact that the chicken is shredded helps the meat absorb the flavours from the thick gravy. Chicken Bharta is the sort of dish that remains popular in Indian restaurants, particularly in Kolkata. This dish, at its core, remains creamy-spicy, and tangy—a perfect blend. The recipe's star is boneless chicken, boiled or pressure-cooked until it becomes soft and is subsequently shredded. The shredded chicken is then stir-cooked in a rich gravy of saut ed onions, tomatoes, ginger, and garlic, mixed with aromatic spices such as cumin, coriander, garam masala, and turmeric. Two other factors that add to the characteristic richness of Chicken Bharta are fresh cream, yoghurt, and sometimes even cashew paste, which gives the dish a creamy texture. Chicken Bharta is different from all the other chicken curries in that boiled eggs are added, either grated into the curry or used to garnish, besides giving that extra layer of richness and protein. Kasuri methi/dried fenugreek leaves are usually showered over towards the end, providing a subtle smoke that permeates the whole dish, enhancing its taste. Naan, roti, or paratha will usually be had with Chicken Bharta; however, it also goes rather well with jeera rice or steamed basmati rice; its flavour is subtly spiced and creamy and will surely delight spice-loving people as much as the one who likes milder curries.

• 500 gms chicken
• 1 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/2 cup fresh cream
• 1/2 cup curd
• Fresh coriander leaves
• 2 onion
• 2 tomato
• 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste

• Boil 500 gms of boneless chicken with 1 cup of water, one teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder in a pressure cooker for 3 to 4 whistles. After the whistling has stopped, please open it and allow the pressure to release on its own. If the chicken is sufficiently cooked, let it cool. Then shred it into pieces and keep it set aside.
• In a large pan, add 3 Tbsp oil and heat on medium. Add cumin seeds to the hot oil. When they crackle, add two finely chopped onions, stirring occasionally so they do not burn. This step makes up the base of the Chicken Bharta recipe; it has the body and flavour value.
• Once the onions turn golden, add one tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste to the pan; let it cook for around 2 minutes so that all raw smells dissipate.
• Then, add two chopped tomatoes and let them become soft and mushy. The entire process helps you to make a rich-flavoured gravy, in which shredded chicken can be further cooked.
• Now, add the spices. Add to it 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder, one teaspoon red chilli powder, one teaspoon of coriander powder, and half a teaspoon of garam masala. Keep this mixture on the flame and cook for 2-3 minutes while stirring continuously so that the spices mix well with onions and tomatoes. This is the most vital step to get that authentic Chicken Bharta taste.
• Once the spices are well mixed, add shredded chicken to the pan. Toss well to coat the chicken well with this savoury base. Cook the chicken for about 5 minutes, tossing occasionally so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. This helps the flavours to seep all through the chicken.
• Add the gravy to the mixture after 5 minutes by using 1 cup of fresh cream and 1/2 cup of beaten curd. Mix well, stir all ingredients together, and let the mixture cook on low for another 5 minutes. Since this step adds creaminess to the Chicken Bharta, it makes the dish rich and indulgent.
• Once the cooking time is over, taste your dish and add the necessary salt if it needs it. Should you like spicy food, you would want to add a little more red chilli powder or a bit more garam masala at this point as well.
• To complete your Chicken Bharta recipe, sprinkle some fresh coriander leaves on top of the dish as the final step. Adding a bright pop of colour also enhances the flavour profile, and the dish is all that inviting.
• Serve the Chicken Bharta hot with roti, naan, or steamed rice for a full and satisfying meal. This will be a treat as it contains tender shredded chicken combined with rich, creamy full of gravy and aromatic spices to form a signature dish that family and friends will surely love. This adds a great splash of colour but also has the effect of making flavours pop, and that alone would make the dish all the more appealing. Such textures and flavours are what make this dish stand out on every dining table. Whether you've got a very special gathering or just a cosy dinner together for the family, Chicken Bharta is the perfect addition to the Indian culinary repertoire. I'm sure you'll love it, as its fragrance is inviting and its taste to die for. So gather all your loved ones, share this delicious meal with them, and let these flavours whisk you away to the heart of India. Bon app tit, everyone! Have this delectable chicken bharta, which justifies staying on your table.