One Pot Chicken Pathia (BIR Style)

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp Vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp Garlic and ginger paste
• 1 tbsp Mix powder (BIR style curry powder mix)
• 1 tsp Chilli powder (Adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp Kasuri methi (Dried fenugreek leaves)
• 1 tbsp Tomato puree (Mixed with a little water)
• 300 ml Base gravy (Standard BIR base gravy, warmed)
• 300 g Chicken breast (Cut into bite-sized pieces, pre-cooked or raw)
• 1 tbsp Sugar (For sweetness)
• 1 tbsp Mango chutney
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice (Freshly squeezed)
• Fresh coriander (Chopped, for garnish)

Steps

1. 1

   Heat the vegetable oil in a pan or wok over medium-high heat.

2. 2

   Add the garlic and ginger paste to the hot oil and fry for about 30 seconds until the raw smell disappears and it becomes fragrant.

3. 3

   Turn the heat down slightly and add the mix powder, chilli powder, and kasuri methi. Stir quickly to avoid burning the spices.

4. 4

   Add the diluted tomato puree and stir well, allowing the spices to cook out for about 1 minute until the oil begins to separate.

5. 5

   Pour in about 100ml of the base gravy. Stir and let it cook down until the sauce thickens and the oil rises to the top again.

6. 6

   Add the chicken pieces to the pan. Stir to coat the chicken thoroughly in the spice paste.

7. 7

   Add the remaining base gravy. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

8. 8

   Stir in the sugar, mango chutney, and lemon juice. This creates the signature sweet and sour Pathia profile.

9. 9

   Allow the curry to simmer for 5-7 minutes (longer if using raw chicken) until the sauce reaches your desired consistency and the chicken is cooked through.

10. 10

    Turn off the heat and garnish with a generous handful of freshly chopped coriander before serving.

Notes

Pathia is defined by its balance of heat, sweetness, and acidity. If you prefer it sourer, add more lemon juice; for more sweetness, increase the mango chutney. The base gravy is essential for the authentic 'British Indian Restaurant' flavor.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• chicken
• curry
• BIR
• spicy
• sweet and sour
• one-pot