Indian Roast Chicken Recipe | Easy Dak Bungalow Masala Style

Our quick and easy Indian Roast Chicken recipe recreates the simple rustic flavours of the classic Dak Bungalow style roast chicken, not in an oven, but in a kadhai.

Don’t be misled by the name of this recipe. This roast chicken is not roasted at all, but made in a kadhai, just as it was done by khansamas in dak bungalows during the British Raj.

The khansamas (caretakers, orderlies, house stewards) took the concept of a whole roast chicken from their British sahibs and memsahibs, but added spices and aromatics to make it Indian.
 

The dish is a testament to the inventiveness and ingenuity of the khansamas who were compelled to concoct dishes under peculiar circumstances—in remote dak bungalows, with very limited ingredients and spartan facilities, in a short amount of time, for their British masters who wanted lightly spiced, but wholesome, hot, and delicious food at the end of a long tiring day of travel or at the end of a hunt. The khansamas generally used their own chickens or goats, or the animals killed in a shikar, to serve the officers.
 

The taste of this simple Indian Roast Chicken recipe varied from dak bungalow to dak bungalow because the gravy / sauce / masala depended on the availability of ingredients and also, of course, on the “hand” of the khansama on duty, but it was characteristically lightly spiced and traditionally served along with potatoes, whole boiled and fried eggs, or grilled legumes.

Our version of this Anglo-Indian classic roast chicken is a bit spicier and has more gravy, but is otherwise faithful to the spirit behind the original. It’s quick and easy, uses only a few ingredients to their best effect, and guarantees excellent results in terms of flavour and aroma. It makes for a delicious Sunday lunch.   
 

Garnish with chopped fresh coriander, sliced onions or caramelised fried onions, slivered ginger soaked in lime juice or vinegar, and green chillies.

Serve hot. A kachumber salad or a fresh salad with a light vinaigrette make good accompaniments.

Learn how to make Indian Roast Chicken at home by watching our chicken roast recipe indian video tutorial with step-by-step instructions and find the detailed recipe with all ingredients, cooking method, and preparation and cooking time right here.
 

And if you’re looking for other related recipes, then you’ll definitely want to try our:

Indian Fried Chicken
Indian Chicken Cutlets
Queen of Puddings
Masala Fish Pattice
Beetroot Cutlets
Christmas Pudding

Or go directly to our chicken recipes page to see all our chicken recipes!

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