A rustic and aromatic one-pot chicken curry from Bihar, slow-cooked in a sealed earthen pot with mustard oil and whole spices. The chicken becomes incredibly tender and absorbs all the robust flavors of the marinade, cooking in its own juices.
Prep25 min
Cook50 min
Servings4
Serving size: 1 cup
566cal
46gprotein
22gcarbs
33g
Ingredients
750 g Chicken (Bone-in, curry cut pieces)
600 g Onion (About 4 medium, thinly sliced)
120 ml Mustard Oil (Essential for authentic flavor)
Perfectly fluffy, long-grained basmati rice with a delicate aroma. This simple, foolproof recipe gives you separate, non-sticky grains every time, making it the perfect base for any curry or dal.
A comforting and classic North Indian lentil dish. Creamy yellow lentils are cooked until tender and then topped with a fragrant tempering of spices sizzled in ghee. Perfect with steamed rice or roti.
A classic Indian savory snack, these crispy, golden noodles are made from mashed potatoes and chickpea flour. Perfectly spiced and deep-fried to perfection, it's an addictive tea-time favorite.
About Champaran Chicken, Steamed Basmati Rice, Dal Tadka and Aloo Bhujia
Aromatic, perfectly spiced Champaran Chicken with rice and dal. A soul-satisfying, homestyle meal that truly comforts.
This bihari dish is perfect for lunch. With 1226.95 calories and 67.25999999999999g of protein per serving, it's a nutritious choice for your meal plan.
fat
4 whole
Green Cardamom
6 whole Clove
1 tsp Black Peppercorns
1 tsp Turmeric Powder
1.5 tsp Red Chilli Powder (Adjust to your spice preference)
2 tsp Coriander Powder
1 tsp Cumin Powder
1 tsp Garam Masala
1.5 tsp Salt (Or to taste)
0.5 cup Atta (For sealing the pot)
0.25 cup Water (As needed to make a stiff dough)
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (Chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Marinate the Chicken
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces, thinly sliced onions, mustard oil, ginger-garlic paste, and slit green chillies.
Add all the whole spices: bay leaves, cinnamon stick, black and green cardamoms, cloves, and black peppercorns.
Add all the powdered spices: turmeric, red chilli, coriander, cumin, and garam masala powders, along with the salt.
Using your hands, mix everything thoroughly for 3-4 minutes until the chicken and onions are evenly coated. Let it marinate for at least 15-20 minutes.
2
Prepare the Sealing Dough
In a small bowl, add the atta (whole wheat flour).
Gradually add a little water at a time and knead to form a stiff, non-sticky dough. Set aside.
3
Layer and Seal the Pot
Transfer the entire marinated chicken mixture into a traditional handi or a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven. No extra oil or water is needed.
Nestle the whole garlic bulb right in the center of the mixture.
Cover the pot with its lid.
Roll the prepared dough into a long, thick rope and press it firmly around the rim, sealing the gap between the pot and the lid to make it completely airtight.
4
Slow Cook the Chicken
Place the sealed pot on the stove. Cook on medium heat for the first 5-7 minutes.
Then, reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting.
Let it cook undisturbed for 40-45 minutes. The chicken will cook in its own juices and the steam trapped inside.
You can gently shake the pot once or twice during cooking to prevent sticking, but do not attempt to open the lid.
5
Rest, Unseal, and Serve
Turn off the heat and let the pot rest for 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to settle.
Carefully use a knife to break the hardened dough seal and remove it. Be cautious of the hot steam that will escape when you open the lid.
Stir the curry gently. The chicken should be perfectly tender, and the onions melted into a thick, luscious gravy.
Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot with steamed rice, sattu parathas, or rotis.
Servings
4
Serving size: 1 cup
262cal
5gprotein
55gcarbs
1gfat
Ingredients
1.5 cup Basmati Rice (Use good quality, aged basmati rice for best results)
2.25 cup Water (For the absorption cooking method)
0.75 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
1 tsp Ghee (Optional, for flavor and to prevent sticking)
Instructions
1
Rinse and Soak the Rice (35 minutes)
Place the basmati rice in a large bowl. Add cold water and gently swirl the rice with your fingers. Drain the cloudy water. Repeat this process 3-4 times until the water runs mostly clear. This removes excess starch and prevents stickiness.
Cover the rinsed rice with fresh water and let it soak for 30 minutes. Soaking allows the grains to absorb water, ensuring they cook evenly and elongate beautifully.
After 30 minutes, drain the rice completely using a fine-mesh sieve and set aside.
2
Cook the Rice (15 minutes)
In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, combine the drained rice, 2.25 cups of fresh water, salt, and ghee (if using).
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, uncovered.
As soon as it boils, give it one gentle stir, then immediately reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting. Cover the saucepan tightly with the lid.
Let the rice simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until all the water has been absorbed. Do not lift the lid during this time to prevent steam from escaping.
3
Rest and Fluff (10 minutes)
Turn off the heat but leave the saucepan on the stove, still covered. Let the rice rest and steam for 10 minutes. This step is crucial for finishing the cooking process and achieving a perfect texture.
After resting, remove the lid. Use a fork to gently fluff the rice, separating the long, delicate grains.
Serve hot as a perfect accompaniment to curries, dals, or grilled dishes.
3 cup Water (for pressure cooking, plus more as needed)
0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Salt (or to taste)
2 tbsp Ghee (divided)
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
0.5 tsp Mustard Seeds
1 medium Onion (finely chopped)
1 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
2 pcs Green Chili (slit lengthwise)
1 medium Tomato (finely chopped)
0.25 tsp Hing (asafoetida)
2 pcs Dried Red Chili (whole)
0.5 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder (for color, adjust to taste)
0.5 tsp Garam Masala
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (freshly chopped, for garnish)
1 tsp Lemon Juice (optional, for a tangy finish)
Instructions
1
Pressure Cook the Dal
Rinse the toor dal thoroughly under cold running water until the water runs clear. Drain.
Place the rinsed dal in a pressure cooker. Add 3 cups of water, turmeric powder, and 1/2 tsp of salt.
Secure the lid and pressure cook on medium-high heat for 4-5 whistles, or about 15 minutes, until the dal is completely soft and mushy.
Allow the pressure to release naturally. This extra time helps the dal become even creamier.
Once the pressure has subsided, open the cooker and whisk the dal gently until it reaches a smooth, consistent texture. If it's too thick, add a little hot water to reach your desired consistency.
2
Prepare the Masala Base
Heat 1 tbsp of ghee in a separate pan or kadai over medium heat.
Add 1/2 tsp of cumin seeds and let them sizzle.
Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent.
Add the ginger-garlic paste and slit green chilies. Cook for another minute until the raw smell disappears.
Stir in the chopped tomatoes and the remaining 1/2 tsp of salt. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down and the mixture becomes pulpy.
500 g Potatoes (About 3 medium starchy potatoes like Russet)
1.5 cup Besan (Also known as gram flour)
2 tbsp Rice Flour (Adds extra crispiness)
2 tbsp Vegetable Oil (For the dough)
0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Red Chili Powder (Adjust to your spice preference)
0.25 tsp Hing (Asafoetida)
1 tsp Amchur Powder (Dried mango powder)
1 tsp Chaat Masala
0.5 tsp Garam Masala
1.25 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Potatoes
Boil the potatoes in water until they are fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes.
Once cooked, drain the water and peel the potatoes while they are still warm.
Grate the warm potatoes using a fine grater or pass them through a potato ricer. This is crucial to ensure there are absolutely no lumps.
Spread the grated potato on a plate and allow it to cool completely to room temperature.
2
Make the Bhujia Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled mashed potatoes, besan, rice flour, turmeric powder, red chili powder, hing, amchur powder, chaat masala, garam masala, and salt.
Add 2 tablespoons of oil to the mixture.
Knead everything together to form a soft, smooth, and pliable dough. Do not add any water; the moisture from the potatoes should be sufficient. The dough should not be sticky or stiff.
3
Set Up for Frying
Heat the oil for deep frying in a kadai or a deep, heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. The oil should be around 175°C (350°F).
Pour this onion-tomato masala into the cooked dal. Add the garam masala, stir well, and let it simmer on low heat for 5 minutes for the flavors to meld.
3
Prepare the Final Tempering (Tadka)
In a small tadka pan or small skillet, heat the remaining 1 tbsp of ghee over medium heat until hot.
Add the mustard seeds and the remaining 1/2 tsp of cumin seeds. Allow them to crackle and splutter, which should take about 30 seconds.
Add the whole dried red chilies and hing (asafoetida). Sauté for just 10-15 seconds, being careful not to burn them.
Turn off the heat completely. Immediately add the Kashmiri red chili powder to the hot ghee and give it a quick swirl. This prevents the powder from burning and turning bitter.
4
Combine and Serve
Immediately pour the sizzling hot tempering over the simmering dal. You should hear a satisfying sizzle as the tadka hits the dal.
Stir gently to incorporate the tempering. Stir in the optional lemon juice if using.
Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
Serve hot with steamed basmati rice, jeera rice, or fresh rotis.
Grease the inside of a sev maker (sev press) and the disc with the smallest holes with a little oil to prevent sticking.
Divide the dough into two or three portions and shape one portion into a log. Place it inside the sev maker and secure the lid.
4
Fry the Aloo Bhujia
To test the oil, drop a tiny piece of dough into it. If it sizzles and rises to the surface quickly without browning too fast, the oil is ready.
Hold the sev maker over the hot oil and press the handle, moving in a circular motion to create a large, nest-like shape of bhujia. Do not overcrowd the pan.
Fry for about 1-2 minutes on one side, until the sizzling sound reduces and the bottom is firm.
Carefully flip the bhujia nest and fry the other side for another 1-2 minutes until it is light golden and crisp.
Using a slotted spoon, remove the bhujia from the oil and place it on a wire rack or a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Repeat the process with the remaining dough, frying in batches.
5
Cool and Store
Allow the fried bhujia to cool completely to room temperature. It will become even crispier as it cools.
Once fully cooled, gently break the bhujia nests into smaller, bite-sized pieces.
Store the Aloo Bhujia in a clean, dry, airtight container. It will stay fresh and crispy for up to 3 weeks.
