Chicken Dhansak (Parsi Chicken and Lentil Curry)
Chicken thigh cooked in a thick, sweet and sour lentil sauce with a hint of pineapple. A classic curry house favourite made at home.
Made with Tarka dal base and Ginger and garlic paste and Garam masala (homemade). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time55 mins
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £2.19 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Cook the onion for 8 minutes until golden.
8 min - 2
Stir in your ready made ginger garlic paste (see the base recipe), the cumin and ground coriander. Fry for 1 minute.
1 min - 3
Add the chicken and brown for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and water and simmer for 10 minutes.
15 min - 4
Stir in your ready made tarka dal base (see the base recipe) and the pineapple. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring often, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thick.
15 min - 5
Add the lemon juice and your ready made garam masala (see the base recipe). Taste, adding salt if needed.
- 6
Scatter with coriander and serve with rice.
Tips
- Lentils catch on the pan base, so stir often and keep the heat low.
- The sweet and sour balance matters. Add the lemon in small amounts to taste.
- Blend the finished sauce with a stick blender for a smoother restaurant style dhansak.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 to 2 hours and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
What makes a dhansak?
Dhansak is a Parsi dish of meat cooked with lentils, with a sweet and sour edge. British curry houses often add pineapple for sweetness.
Can I leave out the pineapple?
Yes. Add 1 tsp of sugar and an extra squeeze of lemon instead.
Is it spicy?
It is medium. Add one chopped green chilli with the onion for more heat.
More made with tarka dal base
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.