Chicken Dry Fry is the main course often served in India, especially during the winter. The dish is prepared by deep frying the chicken, so it doesn’t have any moisture inside, ensuring the meat stays dry and crisp.
The dish is typically served with a side of white rice and a simple tomato-based sauce on top to offset any dryness from the chicken. A fresh salad or sauteed vegetables can also be added as an accompaniment to balance out this hearty meal.
Contents
How to make Chicken Dry Fry
Ingredients:
- 1 pound chicken breast (about 2 medium)
- 2 tablespoons Canola oil
For the Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons Dry red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- For The Coconut Cream Sauce:
- 1 (13.5-ounce) can of coconut cream (about 1 1/4 cups)
- 4 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves, plus more for garnish (optional)
- 3 tablespoons minced ginger root
Directions:
Step 1: Mix the marinade ingredients in a large bowl and stir well. Add the chicken and rub the marinade on both sides.
Step 2: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
Step 3: Preheat a deep fryer to 350 degrees F or heat about 1/2 inch of oil in a frying pan until it is hot but not smoking.
Fry the chicken in batches on both sides until golden brown and cooked through, 8-10 minutes total, depending on thickness. Transfer the chicken to a paper towel-lined plate and let it drain while you cook the remaining chicken.
Step 4: Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor for the coconut cream sauce and blend until smooth. Pour half of it into a serving dish for drizzling over the cooked chicken, reserving the rest for dipping. Garnish with cilantro leaves, if desired.
Step 5: Serve hot with sauteed vegetables and white rice.

Prepare time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Serves 4-5 people
Nutrition facts of Chicken Dry Fry
- Calories – 552.1
- Total Fat – 78.0g
- Saturated Fat – 54.2g
- Trans Fat – 0g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 1.5g
- Monounsaturated Fat 21.8g
- Carbohydrate 3.7 g
- Protein 52.
Health Benefits of Chicken Dry Fry
Chicken is an excellent source of high-quality protein, niacin, and selenium. Chicken is also a rich source of essential minerals like phosphorus, potassium, sodium, iron, and zinc.
The vitamin B6 in chicken helps improve the body’s cognitive function. Chicken contains thiamin which is good for heart health. It helps in preventing heart attacks and reduces cholesterol.
Best 7 Variations for Chicken Dry Fry
1. Chicken Dry Fry with Garlic Sauce
Prepare the basic recipe, but substitute 2 teaspoons of minced garlic for the ginger root in the coconut cream sauce.
2. Chicken Dry Fry with Indian Spices and Coconut Milk
Prepare the basic recipe, but add 1 teaspoon each of turmeric powder and chili powder to the marinade and substitute coconut milk for coconut cream in the sauce.
3. Spicy Chicken Dry Fry

Prepare the basic recipe, but substitute red chili powder for regular chili powder.
4. Chicken Dry Fry with Yummy Indian Spices
Prepare the basic recipe, but garnish the chicken with 1/4 cup raisins, 1 teaspoon cumin powder, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom.
5. Chicken Balti
Prepare the basic recipe and substitute 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for canola oil when frying the chicken in step 3.
6. Chicken Dry Fry with Ginger and Garlic
Prepare the basic recipe, but add 2 tablespoons minced ginger root to the marinade and 2 teaspoons of minced garlic to the sauce.
7. Chicken Dry Fry with Tomatoes and Fresh Basil
Prepare the basic recipe, but add 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves to the sauce in step 4 before serving.
Is fried chicken wet or dry?
As the name suggests, there is a lot of oil in fried chicken. This makes the food more oily and messy to eat. On the other hand, a dry fry on the chicken is prepared by cooking it in little oil to keep the meat dry and crisp.
Can fried chicken be healthy?
Yes, fried chicken can be healthy and nutritious if you prepare it right. If you choose to fry your own chicken, go ahead and do that, but make sure that you don’t use too much oil.
How do you fry chicken without drying it out?
For this, you will have to pat the pieces of chicken dry with a paper towel. This will ensure that the parts are not soaked in oil. Once done, dip them in a batter and fry them until golden brown and cooked through.
What is healthy fried chicken?
From our research on this topic, it appears that if you are going to fry your own chicken at home then go ahead with it but make sure that you don’t use too much oil to prepare your delicious dish.
How do you keep fried chicken crispy?
To keep fried chicken crispy, you will have to cook it in a non-stick pan. This won’t allow the oil to soak into the food, eventually letting it stay crispier. If you want fried chicken that is extra crispy, then read below about how you can achieve the same.
Conclusion
Fried chicken is a favorite dish across the world. However, if you are into preparing it, you will have to ensure that you don’t use too much oil.
You can follow some easy and simple steps to achieve this dish. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and cook your own fried chicken today!