Hairy Bikers Chicken Dhansak​ Recipe

This spicy Hairy Bikers Chicken Dhansak is made with chicken thighs, red lentils, tomato purée, tamarind paste, and a blend of aromatic spices. The result is a savory, tangy, and slightly sweet curry with a wonderfully thick texture. This recipe is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner and serves four people generously.

Hairy Bikers Chicken Dhansak Ingredients

For the Homemade Dhansak Curry Powder:

• 1 tbsp coriander seeds
• 1 tbsp cumin seeds
• 1 tbsp crushed chili flakes or dried chilies
• 1 tsp green cardamom pods
• 1 tsp black peppercorns
• 1 tsp fenugreek seeds
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 6 cloves
• 2 black cardamom pods
• 1 star anise
• 3cm cinnamon stick
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp ground turmeric

For the Curry:

• 8 chicken thighs, skin on and bone-in
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp olive or coconut oil
• 2 large onions, finely sliced
• 15g ginger, finely grated
• 6 garlic cloves, crushed or grated
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 2 tbsp tamarind paste
• 150g split red lentils, well rinsed
• 500ml chicken stock
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and black pepper

How To Make Hairy Bikers Chicken Dhansak

1. Prepare the spice blend: First, toast all the whole spices (coriander seeds, cumin seeds, chili flakes, cardamom pods, peppercorns, fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds, cloves, star anise, and cinnamon stick) in a dry frying pan over medium heat. Toast for a few minutes, shaking the pan regularly, until they become fragrant. Transfer to a plate to cool. Once cooled, grind the spices in a spice grinder and then stir in the nutmeg and turmeric. Store in an airtight jar.
2. Marinate the chicken: Season the chicken thighs generously with salt, then pour the lemon juice over them. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Sear the chicken: Heat the olive or coconut oil in a large flameproof casserole dish or sauté pan over a medium heat. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear until the skin is lightly browned and crispy. Flip them over and cook for a few more minutes on the other side. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
4. Sauté the aromatics: In the same pan, add the finely sliced onions. Cook over medium heat until they are lightly colored and begin to soften. Stir in the grated ginger, crushed garlic, and about 2 tablespoons of your homemade curry powder. Cook for another couple of minutes until fragrant.
5. Build the sauce: Stir in the tomato purée and tamarind paste. Return the chicken to the pan, turning it over to coat it in the spices. Sprinkle in the rinsed lentils and pour over the chicken stock. Add the bay leaves and season with a pinch of salt.
6. Simmer the curry: Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring to prevent anything from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pan, and cook for about 45 minutes. The chicken should be very tender and the lentils will have softened and thickened the sauce.
7. Serve: Remove the bay leaves. Taste the curry and adjust the seasoning with more salt or a little more curry powder if needed. Serve the Hairy Bikers Chicken Dhansak hot with basmati rice, a side of plain yogurt, and fresh coriander.

Recipe Tips

• Don’t skip the marinating step: Allowing the chicken to marinate in lemon juice and salt for 30 minutes tenderizes the meat and infuses it with flavor before cooking.
• Toast your own spices: While you can use a store-bought blend, toasting and grinding your own whole spices creates a much more vibrant and authentic flavor profile.
• Keep an eye on the lentils: The red lentils are what create the thick, rich texture of the sauce. Give the curry a stir every so often while it simmers to prevent the lentils from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• Tamarind is key: Tamarind paste provides the distinctive tangy and slightly sour flavor that balances the spice in a traditional dhansak. Don’t leave it out.

What To Serve Chicken Dhansak

This hearty chicken dhansak is best served with simple sides that let its rich, complex flavor shine. Basmati rice is the classic pairing, as it soaks up the delicious sauce. A side of cooling plain yogurt or raita helps to balance the heat. You can also serve it with warm naan bread for dipping or a simple cucumber and onion salad for a refreshing crunch.

How To Store Chicken Dhansak Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Once cooled, store the chicken dhansak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavor will often improve overnight.
• Freeze: This curry freezes exceptionally well. Allow the dish to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating on the stovetop.

Hairy Bikers Chicken Dhansak Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 679 kcal
• Total Fat: 33g
• Saturated Fat: 7.9g
• Protein: 58g
• Total Carbohydrate: 32g
• Dietary Fiber: 11g
• Sugars: 12g
• Salt: 1.5g

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use boneless, skinless chicken? Yes, you can substitute bone-in chicken thighs with boneless, skinless thighs or even chicken breast. However, bone-in chicken adds more flavor and richness to the sauce as it cooks. If using boneless chicken, you may need to reduce the simmering time.
• What if I can’t find tamarind paste? Tamarind paste is important for the authentic tangy flavor. If you can’t find it, you can substitute it with a mix of a small amount of vinegar or lemon juice and a touch of brown sugar to achieve a similar sweet and sour balance.
• Can I make this in a slow cooker? Yes, this recipe can be adapted for a slow cooker. Follow the instructions to sear the chicken and sauté the aromatics on the stovetop. Then, transfer all ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and the lentils are soft.

Try More Recipes:

• Hairy Bikers​ Chestnut And Mushroom Pie Recipe
• Hairy Bikers​ Steak And Guinness Pie Recipe
• Hairy Bikers​ Monkfish Kebabs Recipe

Hairy Bikers Chicken Dhansak​ Recipe

Author: Alex Saidani Cooking Method:Simmering Cuisine:British Indian-inspired Courses:Dinner Main

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 30 minutesCook time: 40 minutesRest time: minutesTotal time:1 hour 10 minutesCooking Temp: CServings:6 servingsEstimated Cost: $Calories:679 kcal Best Season:Summer

Description

Hairy Bikers Chicken Dhansak is a savory and tangy curry featuring tender chicken thighs and a rich, thick sauce made with red lentils and a homemade spice blend. The authentic tamarind flavor provides a delicious sweet and sour balance. This is a comforting, flavorful meal that is perfect for a weeknight.

Ingredients

For the Homemade Dhansak Curry Powder:

• 1 tbsp coriander seeds
  
• 1 tbsp cumin seeds
  
• 1 tbsp crushed chili flakes
  
• 1 tsp green cardamom pods
  
• 1 tsp black peppercorns
  
• 1 tsp fenugreek seeds
  
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
  
• 6 cloves
  
• 2 black cardamom pods
  
• 1 star anise
  
• 3cm cinnamon stick
  
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  
• 1 tsp ground turmeric

For the Curry:

• 8 chicken thighs, skin on and bone-in
  
• Juice of 1 lemon
  
• 2 tbsp olive or coconut oil
  
• 2 large onions, finely sliced
  
• 15g ginger, finely grated
  
• 6 garlic cloves, crushed or grated
  
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
  
• 2 tbsp tamarind paste
  
• 150g split red lentils, well rinsed
  
• 500ml chicken stock
  
• 2 bay leaves
  
• Salt and black pepper
  
• Cooked basmati rice to serve
  
• Plain yogurt and fresh coriander to serve

Instructions

1. Prepare the spice blend: Toast whole spices, grind, then mix with ground spices.
   
2. Marinate the chicken: Season chicken with salt and lemon juice; marinate for 30 minutes.
   
3. Sear the chicken: In a large pan, sear chicken thighs until browned. Remove and set aside.
   
4. Sauté the aromatics: Sauté onions, then add ginger, garlic, and curry powder.
   
5. Build the sauce: Stir in tomato and tamarind paste. Return chicken to pan. Add lentils, stock, and bay leaves.
   
6. Simmer the curry: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes until tender and thick.
   
7. Serve: Remove bay leaves and serve hot with rice and yogurt.