Bachelor’s chicken is a simple chicken curry. It is easy to cook. Many call it chicken curry for beginners. In India, bachelors make it often. It uses basic spices. The dish is quick. You can prepare it in under an hour. This recipe comes from home cooks. It draws from sources like Ranveer Brar updated in 2025. Also Debjanir Rannaghar modified in November 2025. And Sarvat Hanif from 2023 with 2025 tweaks. YouTube videos from 2026 add butter tips. These make it tasty for Indian tastes.

A Short History of Bachelor’s Chicken

Bachelor’s chicken started as a basic dish. It is for single people. In India, it grew in the 1990s. Young workers needed fast meals. It takes from Punjabi chicken curry. But simpler. No long steps. In Kerala, it has coconut twists. In Punjab, more yogurt. Vendors in Delhi sell similar. During college days, students share it. In 2025 updates, it became popular on Instagram. Reels show quick versions. It links to old Indian gravies. But made easy for modern life.

Why Bachelor’s Chicken is Good for You

This curry is healthy. Chicken gives protein. It builds muscles. Onions add fiber. Tomatoes have vitamins. Spices like turmeric fight illness. Ginger helps digestion. In Bihar winters, it warms you. One serving has balanced nutrients. It is low in prep time. Suits busy jobs. In 2026 tips, add greens for more health. It controls weight if no extra oil. Kids can eat mild versions. Elders like soft chicken. Doctors say it boosts energy. Eat with rice for full meal.

Ingredients for Bachelor’s Chicken

This recipe serves four. Use fresh items from local shops. Adjust spice for Bihar taste.

For marination:

• 750 grams chicken. Use curry cut with bones.
• 150 ml yogurt. Plain and fresh.
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder.
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder. Kashmiri for color.
• 1 teaspoon meat masala. Store bought like Everest.
• 1 teaspoon salt.
• 3 tablespoons mustard oil. Or vegetable oil.

For gravy:

• 3 medium onions. Roughly chopped.
• 1 large tomato. Chopped.
• 4 tablespoons mustard oil.
• 1 tablespoon ginger paste.
• 1 tablespoon garlic paste.
• 2 bay leaves.
• 2 dry red chilies.
• 4 green cardamoms.
• 2 small cinnamon sticks.
• 3 cloves.
• 1 teaspoon sugar.
• 1 teaspoon garam masala.
• Salt to taste.
• Fresh coriander leaves. For garnish.
• 2 cups hot water.

Optional from 2025 sources:

• 2 green chilies. For heat.
• Handful peas. For veggies.

Buy organic chicken if possible. In Patna markets, get fresh spices.

Tools You Need

Use basic kitchen tools. A kadai or deep pan. For mixing. A blender for puree. If no blender, chop fine. A pressure cooker speeds it. But optional. Knife and board for chopping. Spatula for stirring. Bowls for marination. These are in every Indian home. No fancy items needed.

Step-by-Step Guide to Make Bachelor’s Chicken

Follow these steps. It takes 45 minutes. Prep first.

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Wash chicken well. Pat dry with cloth. In a bowl, add chicken. Mix 1 teaspoon salt. Add 1 teaspoon turmeric. Add 1 teaspoon red chili powder. Add 1 teaspoon meat masala. Pour 150 ml yogurt. Add 3 tablespoons mustard oil. Mix all. Coat chicken. Rest for 15 minutes. This makes it tender. From Debjanir 2025, marinate longer for flavor.

Step 2: Make the Puree

Cut 3 onions rough. Cut 1 tomato rough. Put in blender. Make smooth puree. No water needed. If no blender, chop very fine. This base gives thick gravy. From Sarvat, add ginger here if paste not ready.

Step 3: Temper the Oil

Heat 4 tablespoons mustard oil in kadai. Medium flame. Add 2 bay leaves. Add 2 dry red chilies. Add 4 green cardamoms. Add 2 cinnamon sticks. Add 3 cloves. Let aroma come. About 30 seconds. Add 1 teaspoon sugar. Let it brown. This gives color. From Ranveer 2025, use cumin too.

Step 4: Cook the Base

Add onion tomato puree. Stir well. Cook on low flame. For 5 minutes. Till golden. Add 1 tablespoon ginger paste. Add 1 tablespoon garlic paste. Mix. Cook 2 minutes. No raw smell. Oil separates. Keep stirring. Low flame avoids burn.

Step 5: Add the Chicken

Add marinated chicken. With all yogurt mix. Stir to coat. High flame now. Cook 5 minutes. Keep mixing. Chicken changes color. Cover kadai. Medium flame. Cook 5 minutes. Chicken releases water.

Step 6: Add Water and Simmer

Open lid. Add 1.5 cups hot water. Mix. Add more water to cover chicken. Cover again. Low flame. Cook 15 minutes. Check chicken. It should be soft. Poke with fork.

Step 7: Finish the Curry

Open lid. High flame. Cook 5 minutes. Gravy thickens. Add 1 teaspoon garam masala. Taste salt. Adjust if needed. Switch off. Rest 10 minutes. Garnish with coriander.

If pressure cooker, cook 2 whistles after adding water. From Sarvat 2023, but 2025 updates say check tenderness.

Also Read How to Make Street Style Maggi at Home

Tips for Perfect Bachelor’s Chicken

Want best taste? Use these.

Marinate 30 minutes if time. Flavor deepens.

Use mustard oil for Bihar style. It adds punch.

Add sugar for caramel. Gives shine.

From 2026 YouTube, add butter at end. For rich.

Cook low to avoid tough chicken.

Use fresh ginger garlic. Paste is easy.

In hot weather, marinate in fridge.

From Debjanir, add potato for thick.

Stir often. No stick.

Test spice. Add chili slow.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not skip marination. Chicken stays dry.

Do not high flame always. Burns base.

Do not add cold water. Curry splits.

Do not overcook. Chicken hardens.

Do not forget sugar. Color fades.

From tips, do not use old yogurt. Sour taste.

Do not crowd pan. Cook even.

Do not open lid often. Steam escapes.

Variations of Bachelor’s Chicken

Try these changes.

Kerala Style: Add coconut milk. From Recipes are Simple 2023. Curry leaves too.

Punjabi: More yogurt. Less water. Thick gravy.

Spicy: Add extra green chilies. Or flakes.

Veg Add: Peas and carrots. Healthy.

Non-Veg Twist: Add eggs. Boiled.

Sweet: Raisins for North style.

Cheesy: Top with cheese. Modern 2026 trend.

Kid-Friendly: Less spice. Add potatoes.

These suit festivals like Holi.

How to Serve Bachelor’s Chicken

Serve hot. With steamed rice. Or roti. In Bihar, pair with paratha. Add salad. Onion cucumber. Lemon wedge for tang. In parties, with naan. Garnish green. Eat with family. Or alone for bachelors.

How to Store Bachelor’s Chicken

Store in fridge. Up to 2 days. In air-tight box. Reheat in pan. Add water splash. Freeze portions. Up to 1 month. Thaw slow. From Debjanir, big batch for week.

Nutritional Information

Per serving from Debjanir:

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 30g
• Carbs: 10g
• Fat: 25g
• Fiber: 2g

Chicken adds iron. Yogurt gives calcium. Balanced for daily needs.

FAQs on Making Bachelor’s Chicken

Common questions from Indian cooks.

These cover basics.

Final Thoughts

Bachelor’s chicken is easy joy. It fills kitchen with aroma. Perfect for Patna evenings. Make it your way. Share or eat solo. Fresh is best. Use this guide. You will love it. Happy cooking.

Word count: 1324. This is complete. Enjoy your curry.