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    Home » Pakistani Recipes » Pakistani Chicken Karahi Qeema - Stir Fried Ground Chicken

    4.50 from 12 votes

    Pakistani Chicken Karahi Qeema - Stir Fried Ground Chicken

    February 16, 2017 by Sarah Mir · Updated December 14, 2021

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

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    You know how you feel when you keep meaning to call someone back, someone you really want to see/speak to, but somehow it doesn't happen and then you run into them somewhere and are awkward and embarrassed? Well that's how I feel right about now! I have been around though - there is this fun craft the girls I did this winter and my equally fun chat with Devina of My Little Pudding. At least I come bearing gifts - there is this delicious quick Chicken Karahi Qeema, and for those of you who don't know her, an introduction to the talented Pakistani blogger Fatima from Fatima Cooks. I have been an admirer of hers for quite some time and was browsing her blog for dinner inspiration when I saw her Chicken Karahi Qeema recipe and I was sold. Frankly she had me at the no chopping onions bit. FYI when in my forgetful state I have thrown in a little onion it hasn't been as good. Just sayin'

    Chicken Karahi Qeema

    A "karahi" for those of you who are wondering is basically a wok. It allows the food you are cooking to cook faster and gives it greater flavor than what would happen if you were to use a smaller pot. If you do not have a wok then use a larger saute pan for optimal results. What makes a Karahi of any kind tasty is the caramelising of tomatoes and that requires surface area (and sadly, oil). You can definitely dial it back, but the flavor will be mellower. My favourite thing to do is to just drain it out in the end by tilting the wok and pressing back on the ground beef with a slotted spoon.

    Serve the qeema with your flatbread of choice, some achar or pickled onions and raita. For a fun picnic lunch you can also roll it into a paratha and add your condiments of choice!

    chicken karahi qeema


    Print Recipe
    4.50 from 12 votes

    Chicken Karahi Qeema

    A stir fried chicken with tomatoes, ginger and chillies!
    Author: Sarah Mir

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb ground chicken
    • ½ tsp kalonji/ nigella seeds
    • 1 tbsp ground garlic
    • 1 tbsp ground ginger minced is better if possible + a 1.5 inch piece cut into matchsticks for garnish
    • 4-5 to matoes finely diced
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 2-2.5 tsp red chilli powder
    • 1.5 tsp coriander powder
    • 1 tsp cumin powder
    • 1 tsp garam masala powder
    • green chillies 3-6 sliced lengthwise
    • handful of chopped cilantro
    • a squeeze of lemon juice optional

    Instructions

    • - Heat oil in a wok and add the nigella seeds
    • - When they start to splutter then add the minced/ground ginger and garlic
    • - Add the ground chicken and the spices and cook on high stirring frequently until the chicken is nicely browned (this is chicken though so it wont get dark like beef does)
    • - Add the tomatoes, mix well. For quicker cooking cover the dish for a few minutes, this will soften the tomatoes
    • - Uncover the dish and cook on high until the 'masala' becomes dry and the oil starts to rise. If this is not happening at all you may need to add more oil.
    • - Add the garam masala, stir, check for seasoning.
    • - Turn off the flame. Garnish with the chillies, ginger, and cilantro. squeeze over a little lemon juice if using.

    Notes

    Tip: Minced ginger is much better in this dish than ground, but if you are using ground try to make your own. Store bought ones usually have a lot of vinegar in them! If mincing is too much work then simply grate the ginger!

    Hope you enjoy this Chicken Karahi Qeema !

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. MyNinjaNaan says

      February 16, 2017 at 11:24 am

      GIRLFRIEND! This looks hella good!

      Reply
      • sarahjmir@gmail.com says

        February 16, 2017 at 11:43 am

        Thanks my favourite ninja - you da best lol

        Reply
    2. Eraj says

      February 19, 2017 at 11:46 pm

      No chopped onions? I'm in!
      Sounds good and super easy. Will try it soon and let you know how it goes!
      Glad you're back 🙂

      Reply
      • sarahjmir@gmail.com says

        February 21, 2017 at 11:17 am

        Thanks 🙂 its good to be back! I just posted a dessert that I think you might enjoy 🙂

        Reply
    3. Amber says

      February 20, 2017 at 3:44 pm

      Noted the recipe. I will try it soon.

      Reply
      • sarahjmir@gmail.com says

        February 21, 2017 at 11:16 am

        Thanks Amber!

        Reply
    4. Zahra says

      March 25, 2017 at 12:04 pm

      I'm in the same boat as you when it comes to not having called my old friend the food blog. Keep coming back! The Karahi Keema sounds wonderful and this new mama can use quick recipes.

      Reply
      • sarahjmir@gmail.com says

        March 25, 2017 at 3:28 pm

        Thanks so much for popping by Zahra and for the encouragement! Ironically the last few weeks I have been MIA not for a lack of interest but because of technical difficulties (don't get me started!)

        Reply
    5. Amna says

      April 27, 2017 at 10:51 pm

      I just cooked this recipe and it is too good and very easy to make as well. Thank you for sharing it!

      Reply
      • sarahjmir@gmail.com says

        April 29, 2017 at 9:23 am

        Thanks so much Amna for trying it! Happy that you guys enjoyed it 🙂

        Reply
    6. pakistanirecipesinurdu says

      July 03, 2017 at 5:36 am

      Wow, Good website for cooking I Love your way of cooking recipes making
      I am following you and another website I follow both are brilliant.
      Sharing link with you
      ( https://pakistanirecipesinurdu.wordpress.com/ ).
      In this website video available for making recipesss

      Reply
    7. ralii56 says

      July 28, 2018 at 10:29 am

      Hi all! I am looking forward to trying this recipe. I like there is black seed here but I noticed there is no onion. Is that optional - would it ruin if I want to add?

      Reply
      • sarahjmir@gmail.com says

        July 30, 2018 at 10:01 pm

        Hi! You can add onion if you like! For beef it is necessary but the chicken keema seems to do okay without it too!

        Reply
    8. Uzma says

      May 17, 2019 at 11:47 am

      Hi! I’ve made this recipe many times and love it! Can I substitute the keema for boneless chicken? Don’t feel like keema today!

      Reply
      • sarahjmir@gmail.com says

        May 20, 2019 at 9:52 pm

        Hi Uzma!!! Am so so happy to hear you love it! Also so sorry I missed this - I can't figure out if it would work or not but if you try it do keep me posted!

        Reply
    9. Fatima says

      June 10, 2019 at 9:03 am

      Thanks for the mention, Sarah! I'm glad my Karahi Keema gave you a good dose of inspiration! The easier prep (thanks to the lack of onions) makes this so so so easy! And you're not even compromising on flavour. Win/win!

      Reply
    10. Maheen Baig says

      March 02, 2020 at 9:06 am

      Just made this! It was delicious!

      Reply
      • sarahjmir@gmail.com says

        March 03, 2020 at 10:02 pm

        Oh yay! thank you Maheen!!!

        Reply
    11. Hira Kamal says

      October 25, 2020 at 4:35 pm

      I'm a little sad that I starting looking for different keema recipes after having chopped 2 onions! Trying it still, let's hope it turns out good!!

      Reply
      • sarahjmir@gmail.com says

        October 26, 2020 at 10:27 am

        I have other recipes with onions too! Either way I hope you love it!

        Reply
    12. Amna says

      February 07, 2021 at 6:03 pm

      It’s my go-to recipe for chicken qeema now! So easy and so delicious!

      Reply
      • sarahjmir@gmail.com says

        February 12, 2021 at 11:13 pm

        SO SO glad to hear that!

        Reply
    13. Kd says

      January 01, 2022 at 8:39 pm

      It didn’t turn out very good. Not a good idea to put the spices together with the raw chicken. I had to add all the spices again for the taste to come through. I have never cooked with ground chicken before and I will not be making this recipe again.

      Reply
      • Sarah Mir says

        January 01, 2022 at 10:17 pm

        So sorry to hear it didn’t work out for you - it’s a favourite of many, but as you said you don’t usually make ground chicken either and I do find it’s very different than ground beef especially in drier dishes. Thanks for taking the time to share your review!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Sarah! Welcome to Flour & Spice, the foodie world of a Pakistani origin Canadian mama of two whose busy life and love for food means practicality reigns supreme! I love baking (duh!), my readers (extra duh!), reading, coffee, singing loudly slightly off key, and aprons.

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