Mar 11, 2024, Updated Aug 25, 2024 I met my Indian husband when I was only 19 years old, and I’ve spent my entire adult life cooking Indian food with him. Although I’m Canadian, I cook an Indian dish for dinner more often than any other cuisine, and our 3 half-Indian boys have been raised on these easy Indian dinner recipes. I hope you enjoy our treasured family favorites as much as we do!
Chicken Korma
This is the Chicken Korma that my Indian husband will tell you will change your life. This flavor is similar to butter chicken but with a lighter tomato-eyness. The yogurt and nuts give it some good body and added richness. It’s so good. Serve it with my Butter Naan Recipe that went totally viral. Serve this stretchy and soft bread with your korma – there is nothing better.
Best-Ever Butter Chicken Curry
This is one of my website’s most popular recipes, and for good reason. My Best Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) should be hot on your list of Indian recipe ideas for dinner. This unctuous, creamy chicken recipe has the perfect balance of spices and aromatics. The chicken is cooked until it melts in the mouth. Don’t forget to pair it with a worthy side of soft homemade naan!
Chicken Tikka
This easy Chicken Tikka recipe is a staple in our half-Indian home. The marinated chunks of chicken are always succulent, juicy, and perfectly spiced. It’s a dish that consistently satisfies, and can easily be cooked on the grill, in the oven, or in the air fryer.
Paneer Butter Masala
Here is my Easy Homemade Butter Paneer. You’ll love this rich, comforting butter paneer dish. It features all the beautiful flavors you’d expect; garlic, ginger, tomatoes, onions and garam masala. Better than any butter paneer you’ll find out there, this homemade recipe is flawless. Check out how to make your own batch of paneer here – honestly, it’s so simple and inexpensive.
Saag Paneer
This Saag Paneer from North India is possibly the most delicious way to pack in a pound of spinach. The lemon and creamy paneer flavor perfectly balances the slightly bitter spinach or greens. This is great with a bowl of steaming Basmati rice or warm roti.
Samosa Pie
Can you imagine anything more delicious than a Samosa Pie? While this is hardly a traditional Indian, it has all the spices and flavors to make it a knock-your-socks-off Indian dinner. Our family is crazy about flaky, savory samosas. There is nothing better than the taste and texture combination of a samosa as a full-on pie for dinner. Everyone loves this recipe!
Madras Lentils
This creamy Madras Lentils is hands-down the ultimate vegetarian comfort food. The red kidney beans and lentils are hearty, wholesome, and cozy. This recipe is similar to dal makhani and takes around an hour to make. It’s so good, you’ll want to make double and eat the leftovers for lunch the next day!
Masoor Dal Tadka
My mother-in-law Amma’s special Masoor Dal is full of goodness; turmeric, mustard seeds, and green chilies pop in this dish. This lentil gravy is like a warm hug – mop it with some warm aloo naan bread. I like serving it with a side of cooling cucumber salad to balance the rich ingredients.
Chickpea Curry (Chana Masala)
Adarsh’s Chickpea Potato Curry recipe is one of our families favorite dinner dishes. It’s the perfect vegan and gluten-free curry option. I love that it only takes 15 minutes to prepare. I can go about doing a bunch of other things while it cooks. This is hands-down one of my favorite vegetarian dinner recipes.
Malai Kofta (Paneer and Potato Balls)
Malai Kofta is basically paneer and potato balls in creamy tomato sauce. When we are out at an Indian restaurant, its always my favorite dish to order. Nothing beats my homemade version, though. Serve it with Paratha – flaky, layered Indian flatbread. Fair warning – these are totally addictive.
Indian Chicken Curry with Coconut
Here is a gorgeous Coconut Curry Chicken recipe to enjoy mid-week. It’s made with simple spices and flavors. The coconut taste lifts the spices in this recipe. You would also make it with ghee instead of oil.
Curried Lentils in Coconut Milk
I love these Coconut Curry Lentils for their warming, comforting qualities. This is such a delicious winter meal. Lentils have so many health benefits that I try to include them at least a few times a week – they’re a great vegetarian source of protein and are full of fiber.
Tandoori Chicken
In this Tandoori Chicken recipe, drumsticks are marinated in an incredibly-flavorful yogurt and spice mixture. They’re super simple to make in the oven or on the grill. Either way they get beautifully charred. The spice-infused crust and a tender, moist meat inside is totally irresistible.
Indian Fried Chicken
This Indian Fried Chicken, also called Tandoori Fried Chicken, is bathed in a similar yogurt-spice marinade as the above. Then it gets dusted with flour and deep fried to crispy perfection. So darn delicious!
Ground Lamb Curry
This hearty Curried Minced Lamb is so satisfying. I’m crazy about its meaty, rich taste and so is my whole family. You could also make this recipe with beef – dial the heat up and down as you like. It’s one of my favorite quick dinner recipes.
Aloo Gobi (Potato and Cauliflower Curry)
Aloo Gobi is the quintessential Indian curry. I love to boast that my Indian mother-in-law just adores my version of this incredible vegetarian Indian dish. I think you will too! It is loaded with soft potatoes and beautifully seasoned cauliflower.
Curry Shrimp
While this recipe for curried shrimp is Jamaican-style, it certainly has its roots in Indian cuisine and deserves a place here. It is so flavor-packed and easy to put together with simple ingredients. You’ll love it.
Butter Chicken Pizza
I love to make this Butter Chicken Pizza with leftover butter chicken, but you could make it with any cooked chicken and butter chicken sauce. Spread the curry sauce on the dough, add a generous layer of mozzarella, and top with bell pepper, and red onion. Shred the chicken with forks, scatter it on top, and bake until it’s gooey, bubbly, and golden brown. It’s a super popular old recipe on the blog. If you don’t believe me, believe the thousands who make it every month!
Aloo Masala
Here is an Indian Potato Curry recipe for you to try. You’ll have it on the table in around 30 minutes. This is a great winter warmer. It’s thick, filling, and simple in flavor – perfect to gobble up. This recipe is also known as potato masala. It has a lovely blend of aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala.
Adarsh’s Chicken 65
You must check out Adarsh’s family recipe for Chicken 65. Guys, this South Indian recipe is sticky, spicy, and jammed with flavor. I love that this is a 45-minute recipe with a relatively short ingredient list – great for weeknight dinners. Be mindful that it packs a fair punch in the heat department.
Kerela Fish Fry
Kerala Fish Fry is on of the more simple Indian dinner recipes here. It has a handful of classic ingredients you’d expect. You can easily adjust the spice level to suit you. Serve it with lime wedges and a bowl of simple rice. This is a lovely option for warmer months. Indian food often takes a while to cook – this is great if you’re looking for quick recipes.
Vindaloo Pork Curry
I crave this Vindaloo Pork Curry, and you will, too, after tasting it. The pork cooks until butter soft, and it screams with flavor. This South Indian recipe is popular for good reason. It is a good one to pop in a pressure cooker or Instant Pot if you have one.
Poori Bhaji
This South-Indian comfort food is one of my favorite things to eat in the whole world. Crispy, puffed-up fried flatbreads eaten with delicious spiced potatoes. So hearty and delicious. This treasured recipe comes straight from my mother-in-law’s kitchen in Cochin.
Lamb Vindaloo
Another Lamb Vindaloo dream recipe. Lamb is one of the most favorite proteins. I love the way it carries rich, bold spices and flavors. The lamb stands up to the big flavors in this Vindaloo recipe.
Shrimp Korma
This easy Indian Shrimp Korma recipe, also referred to as Prawn Korma, is a super-tasty creamy curry dish featuring shrimp. It combines the rich flavors of tomato, yogurt, and cream along with a blend of nuts and aromatic spices into next-level deliciousness.
Palak Paneer
This Palak Paneer recipe brings you the rich, creamy taste you get in restaurants. It’s easy to make and has a sauce that’s packed with flavor. Give this spinach curry a try and see why it’s a hit at our table. It’s easy, filled with flavor, and might just earn a spot in your regular meal rotation. See also: 52+ Delicious Paneer Recipes Next Reading: My Favorite Indian Sweet Recipes, Indian Dessert Recipes + Most Popular Indian Curry Recipes
Indian Flatbreads: Roti, chapati, garlic naan or paratha are all dreamy sides to curry. They are perfect to mop up and dip into currygravy. Rice: My viral basmati rice recipe recipe is based on my Indian mother-in-law’s fail-proof method. This is a total life hack. Veg: Serve vegetables like Indian coconut green beans or yogurt cucumber salad or raita for a complete meal. Chutneys and sauces: Add little bowls of coconut chutney, mango pickles, etc.
To make your Indian dinner extra special, start with a batch of crispy homemade potato samosas (or my favorite chicken samosa recipe).
