Indian cuisine is like a treasure chest of flavors—each dish tells its own story, packed with spices, bold flavors, and rich textures.
From creamy curries to crispy snacks, every bite takes you on an adventure.
Whether you’re a spice lover or prefer something milder, Indian food has something for everyone.
We’ve handpicked 11 of the best Indian recipes you absolutely need to try at least once.
Trust us, these dishes will leave you craving more. Some are comfort foods you’ll dream about on a chilly night, while others are festive favorites. Let’s dig in!
1. Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)
Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3 tbsp butter
- Salt to taste
How to Make It:
Marinate the chicken in yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, chili powder, and salt for at least an hour (overnight is even better).
Heat butter in a pan and cook the marinated chicken until golden brown. Set it aside.
In the same pan, add the tomato puree and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Add garam masala and heavy cream, stirring until the sauce thickens.
Toss in the cooked chicken and simmer for another 10 minutes until the flavors blend beautifully. Serve with naan or basmati rice, and get ready to swoon.
Why Did This Make It to Our List?
Butter chicken is a true crowd-pleaser. Creamy, buttery, and packed with flavor, it’s the dish that turns any meal into a celebration.
2. Chicken Biryani
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken thighs
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 1 large onion, sliced thin
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tbsp biryani masala
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/4 tsp saffron (soaked in warm milk)
- 4 cups water
- Fresh cilantro and mint for garnish
- Salt to taste
How to Make It:
Wash the basmati rice and soak it for 30 minutes. Marinate the chicken with yogurt, biryani masala, turmeric, and salt. Fry the onions until golden and crispy.
In a large pot, cook the chicken until tender, then layer the partially cooked rice over it.
Drizzle with saffron milk, add crispy onions, and cover tightly. Cook on low heat for 20 minutes to let the flavors come together. Serve hot with raita on the side.
Why Did This Make It to Our List?
Biryani is a symphony of flavors, with tender chicken and fragrant rice stealing the show. It’s a must-try for anyone who loves bold, spiced dishes.
3. Palak Paneer (Spinach and Cottage Cheese Curry)
Ingredients:
- 1 lb fresh spinach
- 1 cup paneer (Indian cottage cheese), cubed
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 2 green chilies, chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- Salt to taste
How to Make It:
Blanch the spinach in hot water, then blend it into a smooth puree. Sauté cumin seeds, onions, ginger-garlic paste, and green chilies in a pan.
Add the spinach puree and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the cream and add the paneer cubes. Cook for another 5 minutes, and it’s ready to serve.
Why Did This Make It to Our List?
Palak Paneer is a healthy yet indulgent dish that brings together fresh greens and creamy textures. It’s perfect for a cozy meal at home.
Absolutely! Here’s the continuation with the remaining recipes.
4. Chole (Spiced Chickpea Curry)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups chickpeas (soaked overnight)
- 2 large onions, finely chopped
- 2 tomatoes, pureed
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp chole masala (optional but recommended)
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- Salt to taste
How to Make It:
Pressure cook the soaked chickpeas until soft. In a pan, heat some oil and sauté cumin seeds, onions, and ginger-garlic paste.
Once the onions are golden, add the tomato puree, turmeric, chili powder, and chole masala. Cook until the oil separates from the spices.
Add the cooked chickpeas and a cup of water. Simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the spices to soak into the chickpeas.
Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with fluffy bhature (fried bread) or rice.
Why Did This Make It to Our List?
Chole is comfort food at its best. Spicy, tangy, and satisfying, it’s a dish that works for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
5. Masala Dosa (Crispy Rice Crepes with Spiced Potatoes)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups rice
- 1 cup urad dal (split black gram)
- 4 boiled potatoes
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 green chili, chopped
- Fresh curry leaves
- Salt to taste
How to Make It:
Soak rice and urad dal separately for 6 hours, then grind into a smooth batter and let it ferment overnight.
For the filling, mash the boiled potatoes and sauté with mustard seeds, onions, turmeric, green chilies, and curry leaves.
Spread the fermented batter thin on a hot griddle to make a crispy dosa. Fill it with the spiced potato mixture and serve with coconut chutney and sambar.
Why Did This Make It to Our List?
Masala dosa is a South Indian superstar. Crispy on the outside, spicy and soft on the inside—it’s a dish you won’t forget.
6. Rogan Josh (Kashmiri Slow-Cooked Lamb Curry)
Ingredients:
- 1 lb lamb, cubed
- 1 cup yogurt
- 2 large onions, chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 2 tsp Kashmiri chili powder
- 1 cup water
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
How to Make It:
Marinate the lamb in yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, and salt for 2 hours. In a large pot, sauté onions until golden.
Add the marinated lamb, ground coriander, cumin, and chili powder. Sauté for 10 minutes, then add water.
Cover and simmer on low heat for 1-2 hours until the lamb is tender and the sauce thickens.
Why Did This Make It to Our List?
Rogan Josh is rich, hearty, and full of bold flavors. If you’re a fan of slow-cooked stews, this will hit the spot.
7. Aloo Paratha (Stuffed Flatbread)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 4 boiled potatoes, mashed
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Salt to taste
- Butter or ghee for cooking
How to Make It:
Knead the flour with water to make a soft dough. Mix the mashed potatoes with cumin seeds, chili powder, cilantro, and salt.
Divide the dough into balls, stuff each with the spiced potato filling, and roll into flat discs.
Cook on a hot griddle with butter until golden brown on both sides. Serve hot with yogurt and pickles.
Why Did This Make It to Our List?
Aloo paratha is a breakfast favorite, but honestly, it’s good any time of the day. It’s comforting, filling, and oh-so-delicious.
8. Tandoori Chicken
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken drumsticks
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt to taste
How to Make It:
Marinate the chicken in yogurt, spices, and lemon juice for at least 4 hours. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Place the marinated chicken on a baking tray and cook for 30-35 minutes, turning halfway. Broil for 5 minutes at the end for a smoky finish.
Why Did This Make It to Our List?
Tandoori chicken is bold, juicy, and full of smoky flavors. It’s the perfect centerpiece for any meal.
9. Pani Puri (Crispy Snacks with Spicy Water)
Ingredients:
- 20 puris (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup boiled potatoes, mashed
- 1/2 cup boiled chickpeas
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- 2 cups tamarind water (spiced with chaat masala and green chilies)
How to Make It:
Mix the mashed potatoes, chickpeas, cumin powder, and chili powder. Fill each puri with the potato mixture and top with spicy tamarind water.
Eat it in one bite—it’s messy, but that’s part of the fun!
Why Did This Make It to Our List?
Pani puri is a street food legend. It’s crunchy, spicy, and tangy all at once—a snack you’ll fall in love with.
10. Dal Makhani (Creamy Black Lentils)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup black lentils (urad dal)
- 1/4 cup red kidney beans
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Salt to taste
How to Make It:
Soak the lentils and kidney beans overnight. Pressure cook them until soft.
Sauté cumin seeds, onions, and ginger-garlic paste in a pan. Add the tomato puree and cook until the oil separates.
Stir in the lentils, kidney beans, and some water. Let it simmer for 30 minutes, then add the cream for that signature creamy finish. Serve with naan or rice.
Why Did This Make It to Our List?
Dal Makhani is the king of lentil dishes. It’s rich, buttery, and pure comfort in a bowl.
11. Kheer (Indian Rice Pudding)
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup basmati rice
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
- 10 almonds, chopped
- 10 raisins
How to Make It:
Wash and soak the rice for 20 minutes. Boil the milk, then add the rice and cook on low heat, stirring occasionally.
Once the rice is soft and the pudding thickens, add sugar, cardamom powder, almonds, and raisins. Serve warm or chilled.
Why Did This Make It to Our List?
Kheer is the ultimate Indian dessert—creamy, fragrant, and just sweet enough to keep you coming back for more.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve got a taste of these incredible Indian recipes, it’s time to hit the kitchen! Each dish offers something unique, from creamy curries to crispy snacks. Try them out, and you’ll quickly see why Indian cuisine is loved worldwide.