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    The Curry Mommy » Chicken Recipes

    Indian Chicken Kheema Recipe

    Published: May 27, 2018 · Modified: Nov 11, 2021 by The Curry Mommy · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe

    Chicken Kheema, aka Chicken Keema, is an Indian Ground Chicken Recipe

    Want a versatile recipe? It doesn't get better than this minced meat Indian recipe. It pairs well with tacos, dosa, pav/bread, or with warm naan.

    chicken kheema chicken keema recipe in a bowl with peppers, onions, and cilantro on top

    Why You'll Love It- Easy, meal-prep friendly, healthy, and tasty!

    Have some leftover ground chicken? Give my holiday kebabs a try. They taste great when paired with papad and chutney just like my Papad Roll Recipe.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients for Chicken Kheema
    • How to Make Chicken Kheema
    • Pair it with...
    • Substitute
    • Variations
    • Top Tips
    • More Chicken Recipes...
    • 📖 Recipe
    • FAQ
    • Other Indian Recipes...
    • History
    • 💬 Community

    Ingredients for Chicken Kheema

    Ingredients for chicken kheema ground minced meat with spices in a plate
    • beefsteak tomato
    • onion
    • ground chicken (minced meat)
    • garam masala
    • tomato paste
    • oil
    • salt
    • red chili powder
    • coriander powder
    • turmeric powder
    • fresh cilantro
    • ginger
    • garlic

    How to Make Chicken Kheema

    Saute onions until golden brown

    saute onions

    Add the tomatoes once the onions have finished cooking.

    tomatoes being cooked with onions

    Add the spices, garlic, ginger, and some cilantro. Mix and cook for about 2-3 minutes.

    Tomatoes and masala

    Add the ground chicken to the pot and begin to break it apart with the back of a spatula or a meat mincer.

    Ground Chicken

    Cook until all of the water has evaporated and you can see oil separation.

    ground chicken being cooked with spices

    Expert Advice-I like to cook it uncovered and on medium/high heat the whole time.


    Pair it with...

    1. Dosa
    2. Healthy Kheema Pizza
    3. Kheema Samosa stuffed inside your favorite wrapper (or try this for ease)
    4. Kheema Tacos

    Substitute

    • Chicken- you can use ground turkey but be sure to add extra fat. I do this by adding butter and oil.
    • Tomato- Feel free to use 12oz can of petite diced tomatoes for every 1 large beefsteak tomato.

    Variations

    • Vegetarian- Use paneer instead of ground chicken
    • Matar- This recipe is sometimes made with peas or potatoes. Feel free to add either or to this recipe.

    Top Tips

    • Use a generous amount of oil from the beginning of the cooking process.
    • Do not use a lid during the cooking process
    • Add cilantro early on and on top of the dish for extra flavor

    More Chicken Recipes...

    1. Mint Chicken with Thai Basil and Minced Meat
    2. Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken
    3. Desi Gravy Chicken Recipe - Tapelu Chicken
    • fakeaway chinese salt and pepper chicken recipe homemade in a bowl with jalapeno onion and fried chicken
      Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken
    • keema chicken tacos in hard shells three of them in a round plate with cilantro on top
      Chicken Keema Tacos
    • indian chicken curry cooked in a tapelu plated on a white dish with cilantro
      Desi Gravy Chicken Recipe - Tapelu Chicken
    • air fried chicken nuggets dino shape from costco
      Air Fried Frozen Chicken Nuggets

    📖 Recipe

    chicken kheema chicken keema recipe in a bowl with peppers, onions, and cilantro on top

    Indian Chicken Kheema Recipe

    The Curry Mommy
    This tasty Chicken Kheema (chicken keema) recipe is versatile and delicious. It is a clean eating recipe made with ground chicken and perfect for those flavor craving meal prep days.
    4.92 from 12 votes
    Pin Recipe Print Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 4
    Calories 225 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb ground chicken
    • 1 tablespoon ginger, fresh and grated
    • 1 tablespoon garlic, fresh and minced
    • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
    • 2 tablespoon coriander powder
    • 1-2 tablespoon garam masala
    • 1 large onion, finely chopped, grated, or food processed
    • 1 large beefsteak tomato, finely chopped
    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    • ½ cup water (optional but can help mince the meat if that is the texture preferred)
    • oil
    • salt
    • red chili powder
    • chopped cilantro

    Instructions
     

    • Heat pan on medium heat and add oil. Once hot add finely chopped onions and saute until golden brown.
    • Once the onions have slightly browned add the tomatoes, garlic, ginger, garam masala, tomato paste, salt, coriander powder, some chopped cilantro (optional), and turmeric. 
    • Allow the mixture to cook for about 3-5 minutes. At this point you can use a hand blender and puree the mixture if you would like. Then add the chicken. SIDE NOTE: I like to mix the ground chicken to remove the "stringed" meat look before cooking.
    • Add water (optional). Using a spatula or a ground meat masher, begin to mash and mix the chicken with the tomato and onion mixture. TIP: flatten/squeeze the meat at the bottom of the pan while mixing if you do not have a meat masher. This will prevent the meat from bulking into large clumps.
    • Continue to mix frequently for an additional 7-10 minutes on medium heat.
    • Once all of the natural water has evaporated, cook for a few additional minutes so that the oil shines through.
    • Garnish with the rest of the cilantro and serve.
    • Enjoy as a taco stuffing, with wraps, as is with naan, or on top of pizza.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 5ozCalories: 225kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 23gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 3.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 278mgPotassium: 94mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 9.5IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 10mg
    Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @TheCurryMommy or #thecurrymommy!

    FAQ

    Kheema vs Keema

    The two words are the same but just spelled differently when translated to the english wording. Many dialects are present throughout India and some have a heavy pronunciation of the "H" where as others do not.

    Can I substitute Turkey for Chicken?

    ou sure can, but there needs to be many changes to the recipe such as fats and water since turkey is a lot more dry.

    Where can I buy ground chicken?

    My go to locations include Target, Whole Foods, or Trader Joes.

    Why use a beefsteak tomato for curry?

    It doesn't have a sweet flavor so it gives more flavor without the sweetness.

    Can I use any garam masala?

    You can! Use your favorite kind :).


    Other Indian Recipes...

    • orange almonds on top of frosted cupcakes with gulab jamun
      Gulab Jamun Cupcakes
    • sev usal in a bowl with onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and soup
      Sev Usal Recipe
    • paneer butter masala in a round bowl with cilantro on the edge
      Paneer Butter Masala Recipe (Paneer Makhani)
    • aloo tikki chaat with chutney and sev
      Aloo Tikki Chaat with Easy Homemade Chutney

    History

    Growing up, my Dad made lamb or goat keema often, but I always chose the chicken alternative. It was a special dish because ground chicken was not always available where we lived. I remember he bought a meat grinder that was affixed to a tabletop when I was in grade school just to make recipes like this happen. Definitely appreciate his efforts for good food!


    « Tandoori Fish Recipe - Oven Baked or Pan Seared
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. The Curry Mommy says

      September 13, 2021 at 10:08 am

      So happy to hear this! You can add peas or potatoes if you prefer. I just find it more versatile without adding the extras 🙂

    2. Jinal says

      September 12, 2021 at 3:42 pm

      5 stars
      This is one of the best chicken keema recipes I have ever had. I did not miss the peas at all. Thank you.

    4.92 from 12 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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