Murgh Jodhpuri
A regal Rajasthani chicken curry with a creamy, nutty gravy enriched with poppy seeds and almonds. Subtle whole spices and yogurt create a rich, mildly spiced dish that pairs beautifully with naan or rice.
For 4 servings
- prep
Soak almonds and poppy seeds.
Soak almonds and poppy seeds separately in warm water for 30 minutes. Drain. Peel the almonds and grind them with poppy seeds and a splash of water into a smooth, fine paste.
- fry · ~10 min
Fry the onions to a deep golden brown.
1.Heat ghee in the pan over medium flame.2.Add sliced onions and fry until deep golden and crisp, stirring often (8-10 min).3.Drain onions on paper towels, reserving the ghee in the pan.TIPDon't rush the onions — they need to be deep gold, not pale. This gives the gravy its rich color. - mix
Grind the fried onions.
Transfer the cooled fried onions to the mixer grinder. Blend with 2 tablespoons of water into a smooth, thick paste. Set aside.
- temper · ~2 min
Temper whole spices and aromatics.
1.Reheat the reserved ghee in the pan over medium heat.2.Add bay leaf, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and peppercorns. Sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.3.Add garlic and ginger. Sauté until the raw aroma disappears (1 min).4.Add slit green chilies and sauté briefly (30 sec). - saute · ~6 min
Cook the chicken.
1.Add chicken pieces to the pan.2.Sauté over medium-high heat, turning often, until the meat is sealed and lightly browned on all sides (5-6 min). - saute · ~4 min
Add spice powders and whisked yogurt.
1.Lower the heat to low. Sprinkle in turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt.2.Stir quickly for 30 seconds.3.Pour in the whisked yogurt a little at a time, stirring continuously to prevent curdling.4.Cook on low heat, stirring often, until oil starts to separate from the yogurt (3-4 min).TIPKeep the heat low after adding yogurt — high heat can split the gravy. - simmer · ~25 min
Add onion paste and simmer.
1.Stir in the fried onion paste and the almond-poppy seed paste.2.Pour in 1 cup hot water and bring to a gentle boil.3.Cover and simmer on low heat until chicken is fully cooked and tender (20-25 min).4.Stir occasionally and add a splash of water if the gravy gets too thick. - garnish
Finish with garam masala and garnish.
1.Check seasoning, then sprinkle garam masala over the top.2.Simmer uncovered for 1 final minute.3.Turn off heat and let the curry rest for 5 minutes.4.Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Soak almonds and poppy seeds separately for exactly 30 minutes to achieve a silky-smooth paste.
- 2Fry onions until deep golden brown, not just light gold — this builds the gravy's rich color and flavor.
- 3Whisk yogurt until completely smooth before adding to prevent curdling in the hot pan.
- 4Add yogurt in a slow, steady stream while stirring constantly on low heat to keep the sauce creamy.
- 5Let the curry rest for 5 minutes after cooking so the flavors meld and the gravy thickens slightly.
- 6Use bone-in chicken pieces for deeper flavor and tender meat; avoid boneless for this dish.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegetarian
Replace chicken with 400g paneer (cubed, lightly fried) or mixed vegetables like potatoes and cauliflower. Reduce simmering time to 10 minutes. Ideal for a hearty meatless Rajasthani meal.
low fatLow-fat
Use 1 tbsp oil instead of ghee and replace almonds with 2 tbsp of almond flour (soaked). Skip the fried onion paste and use boiled onion paste instead. A lighter version with similar texture.
nut freeNut-free
Substitute almonds with 2 tbsp of raw melon seeds (magaz) and poppy seeds with 1 tbsp of sunflower seed meal. Soak both for 30 minutes and grind. Great for nut-allergy households.
extra spicyExtra-spicy
Double the green chilies (use 4), add 1/2 tsp of kashmiri red chili powder for color, and include 2 dried red chilies in the tempering. Perfect for those who crave more heat.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Healthy Fats
Almonds and poppy seeds provide heart-friendly unsaturated fats and vitamin E, supporting skin and cell health.
High-Quality Protein
Chicken is a complete protein source, essential for muscle repair and satiety. Yogurt adds additional protein and gut-healthy probiotics.
Anti-Inflammatory Spices
Turmeric, cinnamon, and cloves contain active compounds that help reduce inflammation and support immune function.
Digestive Support
Ginger and green chilies stimulate digestion, while yogurt's probiotics promote a healthy gut microbiome.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, use 2 tbsp of neutral oil (like sunflower or avocado) or unsalted butter. The flavor will be slightly less rich, but the dish still works well.
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