This chicken pasanda from scratch recipe can be made in about 30 minutes!
This chicken pasanda recipe will get you restaurant quality results without the need for a curry base sauce. If mild curries are what you prefer, you’ve simply got to try this chicken pasanda from scratch.
You will also find many popular side dishes to enjoy your chicken pasanda with.
Creamy, sweet and mild. This recipe is perfect for kids and those who don’t like spicy curries.
What is a pasanda?
Pasanda curries are very popular around India and there are many different versions. One thing they all have in common is pounded flat meat.
The meat is pounded with a mallet until flat before adding to the pan. At curry houses, this is rarely done. So western pasanda curries are really just pasandas in name only.
When you order a pasanda curry in the UK, you are expecting something sweet, creamy and mild. No spicy ingredients are added.
What do you serve chicken pasanda with?
If you’d like to make this curry into a feast, you’ve come to the right place. You could just go for a side of Basmati rice or mushroom fried rice.
If you’d like to make naans, why not try one of these? Instant naans, Peshwari naans, stove top naans, keema naans, garlic naans, tandoor naans (if you have a tandoor oven), or if you’re cooking outdoors, karahi naans.
Want to start your chicken pasanda meal off with a bang? How about fried shop bought poppadoms or if you’re feeling ambitious, make your own poppadoms from scratch and serve them with coriander chutney, red onion chutney, and/or tamarind chutney.
How does this chicken pasanda from scratch differ to curry house cooking?
At UK curry houses, the curries are all made with a prepared base curry sauce.
In this recipe, no base sauce is required. Instead you whip up the required amount of base sauce while cooking the actual curry.
If you would like to try my curry house version with prepared base sauce, you will find it here.
Which cut of meat?
You can use the protein of your choice for this pasanda recipe. I used raw chicken thighs which I cooked through in the sauce. Tandoori chicken and other tandoori meats can also be used.
If you would like to make this curry veggie, paneer is a popular choice.
What’s with the red wine?
This is a little know secret I learned at a curry house in Brick Lane, London called Eastern Eye. You don’t have to add it but it is used a lot by chefs to give their pasandas a richer flavour
Step by step photographs…
Get all of your ingredients together before starting. It’s easier that way.
Fry the onions until soft and translucent. Then stir in the coconut powder, almond powder and sugar.
Stir in the chopped tomatoes and about 125ml (1/2 cup) water or unsalted chicken stock. Bring to a simmer and then allow to cool some.
Blend this sauce until smooth.
Pour the blended sauce back into the pan and add the coconut cream and the wine (if using) and/or water or stock to thin it some.
Stir in the chicken. You might need to add a little more liquid to help the chicken cook through.
As the chicken cooks, stir in the raisons/sultanas.
When the chicken pieces are cooked trough, stir in the cream and sprinkle with garam masala.
Season with salt to taste and top with the toasted almond flakes to serve.
If you like this chicken pasanda from scratch, you might like to try some of these too…
Chicken Tikka Masala from Scratch
Chicken Dopiaza from Scratch
Beef Madras from Scratch
Chicken Vindaloo from Scratch
Rogan Josh from Scratch
Chicken Korma from Scratch
Chicken Chilli Garlic Curry From Scratch
Keralan Lamb Stir Fry
Chicken Pasanda from Scratch
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp rapeseed (canola) oil
- 2 medium onions, finely chopped
- 3 tbsp coconut milk powder (see alternatives 00)
- 3 tbsp ground almonds
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 200g tinned (canned) chopped tomatoes
- 125ml (1/2 cup) coconut cream
- About 20 sultanas or raisons
- 800g (1 ¾ lbs.) chicken breasts or thighs, thinly sliced
- A slash of red wine (125ml/1/2 cup), Optional
- 125ml (1/2 cup) single cream
- 1 tsp garam masala, shop bought or homemade
- 4 tbsp toasted almond flakes
Instructions
- Heat the oil over medium high heat and when visibly hot, stir in the chopped onions. Fry for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent but not yet browning.
- Add the coconut milk powder, ground almonds and sugar and stir it all up to coat the onion mixture. Then add the chopped tomatoes and about 125ml (1/2 cup) water or unsalted chicken stock. Bring to a simmer and then take off the heat to cool some.
- Transfer to a blender and blend into a smooth sauce. Then pour the blended sauce back into the pan and bring to a simmer, stirring only if the sauce is sticking to the pan. The sauce will look a bit too thick so add about 125ml red wine and 125ml (1/2 cup) water or unsalted chicken stock. It should caramelise to the sides of the pan. When it does, scrape that back into the sauce for extra flavour.
- Add the coconut cream and sultanas/raisons and stir into the smooth sauce. Now add the raw chicken. You might want to add a little water or stock at this point if the sauce is looking too thick. Remember to add more liquid if the sauce is too thick or cook it down if too runny.
- Cook the chicken through and then add the cream. Sprinkle with the garam masala and serve.
Russell
Friday 30th of August 2024
On the base source page you mentioned that you leave out the coconut if freezing what is the difference when you're freezing it what is the difference of the taste need to know because I want to make a decision as to whether to add the coconut or not if I'm freezing it thank you for your wonderful recipes by the way I'd like to make it tomato based pasanda with a 10 small 10 of tomato puree unfortunately voice typing is having a bad day kindred regards Russell
Dan Toombs
Wednesday 4th of September 2024
Coconut doesn’t freeze very well so add that when it’s thawed and you are ready to eat. I’m glad you are enjoying my recipes. Dan
Emma
Thursday 9th of February 2023
Is this right that there is no garlic and ginger paste
John
Wednesday 29th of March 2023
@Dan Toombs, Still not seeing garlic or ginger in the ingredients list or directions.
Dan Toombs
Saturday 18th of February 2023
I apologise, there is meant o be garlic and ginger paste. Add 2 tablespoons of combined. I have amended the recipe. Thanks very much. Dan
Scott Young
Friday 26th of August 2022
Hi,
I made this last night and doubled up the ingredients, to allow for freezing, etc.
I have to say that I loved it! Easy to cook and tasted delicious. More importantly, I didn’t need the base sauce that a lot of other recipes require.
Are these ‘from scratch’ recipes in one of your books?
Thanks… 🙏🏻❤️
Dan Toombs
Wednesday 31st of August 2022
Thanks for your message, I am glad you enjoyed the recipe. The 'from scratch' recipes are going in a book that is out Autumn next year. Dan
Mark
Sunday 7th of August 2022
What can I use as an alternative to coconut milk powder if I can’t get any? Thanks
Dan Toombs
Tuesday 9th of August 2022
You can substitute with coconut flour or just leave it out. Thanks Dan