Keto-Friendly Chicken Karahi Recipe

Last updated on February 7, 2026

If years ago, anyone told me I could relish rich, flavorful Indian meals without the sluggish feeling afterward, I would have just laughed it off. But being dedicated to a Ketogenic Lifestyle for several years now, I love savoring my Chicken Karahi recipe without any carb crash. This particular recipe is close to my heart, as it reminds me of my family gatherings, where we love enjoying hearty recipes over fun conservations.

Traditionally, it’s paired with rice or naan. But I have found a way to keep it keto-friendly while keeping it satiating and low in carbs. My keto recipe skips yogurt or onions, which may add unnecessary carbs. For adding richness, I opted for ghee and aromatic spices while aligning with the keto diet without compromising on taste.

Now, enough talking—let’s get into the recipe!

Preparation Time
5 minutes

Cook Time
30 minutes

Total Time
35 minutes

Servings
4

Ingredients:

• 1kg chicken (drumsticks and thighs)
• 400g half-sliced tomatoes
• 2 green chilies
• 2 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• ½ cup plain yogurt
• 1 tbsp butter
• 5 tbsp ghee
• 1 tbsp freshly chopped cilantro
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp kasuri methi
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger juliennes

Instructions:

Cook the Chicken:

1. Take karahi (or wok) and put ghee in it over medium flame. When ghee melts, add salt while stirring to mix.
2. Turn the flame to high and add chicken pieces in it for frying. Keep searing the chicken pieces for 5 minutes.
3. Now add ginger-garlic paste to the chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes more until the chicken begins to turn brown and the mixture becomes fragrant.

Prepare the Tomato Gravy:

1. Add half-sliced tomatoes to karahi and cover it with a lid until the tomatoes cook properly. It may take 5-7 minutes to cook tomatoes. Also, keep mashing tomatoes with the ladle.
2. Add the ground coriander, ground cumin, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, and ground black pepper. Mix everything well into the tomato mixture.
3. Also, add kasuri methi, yogurt, and green chilies while stirring occasionally.
4. Cook the mixture uncovered over high flame for 5-7 minutes to thicken the gravy.
5. Add cooked gravy to the cooked chicken and mix well. Also, add butter, chopped cilantro, and julienned ginger into the mixture.
6. Serve hot with rice or naan or sauteed veggies or garlic bread.

Nutritional value:

Calories
680kcal

Carbohydrates
7g

Protein
35g

Fat
49g

My Chicken Karahi recipe is proof that following a keto diet doesn’t have to eat bland food. You can certainly enjoy flavors of your choice while being a little creative. If you love chicken, you can also try my Lemon Chicken Soup and Pumpkin Chicken Curry recipes for hearty meals.

Also, follow me on my Instagram and Facebook for more updates on my Keto lifestyle.

Happy Healthy Cooking!