Chicken Dhansak Recipe {Easy and Healthy}, Dhansak Parsi Recipe

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Easy Chicken Dhansak recipe is a delicious mouthwatering Parsi-style chicken curry. The basic ingredients for the healthy dhansak curry recipe are chicken, nutritious lentils, vegetables, and flavorful spices. This dhansak Parsi recipe tastes very authentic like restaurant style. Check how to make chicken dhansak curry with lentils at home.

Chicken dhansak is a very easy, tasty, and simple curry that can be prepared in 45 minutes. It is prepared with the special dhansak masala which makes the dish more delicious.

My favorite dhansak dish that our family and friends enjoy is this one. It increases the flavor of the dhansak dish and balances the tanginess, spiciness, and sweetness of the dish.

Instead of chicken, try using another ingredient like mutton, lamb, vegetables, or paneer in this dhansak recipe. Only adjust with the cooking time, when using another ingredient.

Also try our sweet dishes recipes like broken wheat kheer, coconut gulkand modak,vermicelli dessert, and rice kheer.

What Is Chicken Dhansak?

Chicken dhansak is a very popular Parsi dish, influenced by Persian and Indian cooking. This traditional dhansak is very nourishing as it is made using meat cooked with lentils and vegetables. It’s really a healthy and easy chicken dhansak recipe.

Is it necessary to soak the lentils before cooking?

Yes, it is better to soak the lentils before cooking as it saves cooking time and gets evenly cooked. Soaking also gets the perfect dhansak consistency.

Tips For Cooking Chicken Dhansak

• Marinate the chicken: For a better flavor, marinate the chicken pieces overnight or at least 30 minutes before cooking. The longer the chicken is marinated, it will enhance dhansak flavor.
• Boneless And Skinless Chicken: Use chicken thighs and breasts (boneless and skinless) to make a healthy chicken dhansak.
• Lentils soaking: It is better to soak the lentils for at least 30 minutes or overnight to reduce the cooking time.
• Onions Caramelization: It is better to fry these onions till they get golden brown. Fry them on medium heat, stirring, taking your own time.
• Chicken Variations: You can also prepare this dhansak with mutton, lamb, and vegetables. The cooking time will only vary.

Is Chicken Dhansak Healthy?

This chicken dhansak Parsi cooking is a good choice for health. It depends on the cooking methods and ingredients used for cooking.

Contains good proteins, iron, and fiber. Also contains various nutrients. It is a high-calorie dish that can be adjusted with chicken and lentils.

For a healthy dhansak recipe, it is better to cook with less oil and salt. Also, use skinless and boneless chicken breasts or chicken thighs. For a healthier meal serve it with brown rice or wheat naan.

Can You Freeze This?

YES, store them in the container and keep them in the fridge for 3 – 4 days. Also keep them in airtight containers or freezer bags and keep them in the freezer for 3 – 4 months.

Before using, remove the container from the freezer and thaw it in the fridge overnight. Then reheat it in the microwave oven or on the stovetop before serving.

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What Are Chicken Dhansak Ingredients

To make dhansak chicken you need the following simple ingredients, easily available in the market.

• boneless chicken
• lentils (toor dal, moong dal, chana dal, and masoor dal)
• vegetables (brinjals, carrot, potato, red pumpkin)
• herbs (methi leaves, mint leaves, and coriander leaves)
• bay leaves
• ginger garlic paste
• onions
• tomatoes
• masalas (turmeric powder, chilli powder, dhansak masala)
• vegetable oil
• lemon juice

How To Make Chicken Dhansak Recipe

1. Preparation: First, take a large bowl and soak the lentils in sufficient water for at least 3 hours or overnight. Also, marinate the chicken with 1 tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste and salt overnight or at least 30 minutes before cooking.
2. Cook Lentils and Vegetables: Transfer the soaked lentils with the water to the pressure cooker. Add chopped onion, diced brinjals, diced carrot, diced potatoes and diced pumpkin. Add the chopped fenugreek (methi leaves), chopped mint leaves (pudina), coriander leaves, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, and salt.
3. Add more water if necessary and cover the cooker. Pressure cook for 4 – 5 whistles. Let the cooker cool naturally, then blend the mixture very well for a thick consistency.
4. Cook Dhansak Chicken: In a large pan, heat oil on medium heat, and fry the bay leaves for a few seconds. Then add the 2 chopped onions and sauté till golden brown. Add the ginger garlic paste, and stir fry for about 1 minute. Then add 1/2 turmeric powder, red chili powder, dhansak masala, and salt. Sauté stirring for another minute or till fragrant. Add the tomatoes, and sauté stirring occasionally for 2 – 3 minutes or till it get soft and pulpy.
5. Add the marinated chicken, and mix well. Cook well with this masala for 4 – 5 minutes. Add 1 cup water, stir well, cover, and get it cooked for 10 – 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then add the dal mixture and mix it well with the chicken. Bring it to a boil and simmer for 4 – 5 minutes. Add the lemon juice, stir well, and simmer for another 2 minutes. Adjust the seasoning with salt, and serve chicken dhansak Parsi style with fresh coriander sprinkled.

How To Serve Dhansak Chicken

This delicious chicken dhansak that combines chicken, lentils, and spices goes well with brown rice, pulao rice, steamed boiled basmati rice, naan bread, roti, and refreshing cucumber raita. This also can be served with pickles and chutneys. It is a very satisfying Indian meal.

Check Other Chicken Recipes

• Goan Chicken Cafreal
• Chicken With Cashew Parsi Style
• Chicken Kolhapuri
• Restaurant Style Chicken 65
• Goan Roast Chicken In Oven
• Chicken Curry Without Coconut Milk

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Equipment Used

• Pressure cooker – to cook lentils and vegs, use the pressure cook (use either instant pot or pressure cooker)
• Knife: It is a special knife for chicken dicing.
• Cooking pan: deep cooking pan for making dhansak chicken.

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