If you love aromatic, herb‑packed kebabs with a deep green, crispy crust, Chicken Harabhara is a must-try dish for your kitchen. Originating from North Indian kebab traditions, this dish features minced chicken patties coated in a thick green chutney paste (harabhara mix), then shallow‑fried until golden and crunchy.
At RecipeBuzz!, we love turning classic kebabs into easy‑to‑make home recipes, and this Chicken Harabhara is perfect for weekend dinners, party platters, or as a bold side to tandoori chicken, biryani, or a simple paratha‑rilawali meal.
What makes Chicken Harabhara special?
- Bold green crust: The patties are smothered in a herb‑rich chutney of coriander, mint, and green chilies, giving a fresh, aromatic crunch.
- Tender, juicy interior: Inside, the chicken patty stays soft and moist, balancing the crisp outer layer beautifully.
- Party‑ready snack: Easy to scale up, these harabharas work great as a starter platter, a side with biryani, or a quick snack with tea.
Ingredients (Makes 14–16 patties)
For the chicken harabhara mixture
Click on the ingredients to order them beforehand.
- 500 g boneless chicken, finely minced (or good‑quality chicken mince)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp ginger‑garlic paste
- 1–2 green chilies, finely chopped
- ½ cup frozen green peas (optional, for color and texture)
- 1 tsp garam masala
- ½ tsp coriander powder
- ½ tsp cumin powder
- ½ tsp red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- Salt to taste
- 1 tbsp chaat masala (optional, for tang)
- 1 tbsp cornflour or breadcrumbs (for binding)
For the green harabhara coating
- 1 cup fresh coriander leaves
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves
- 1–2 green chilies
- 1 small onion, roughly chopped
- 2–3 tbsp curd/yogurt (optional, for smoothness)
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- ½ tsp coriander seeds (optional, for extra aroma)
- Salt to taste
- 1–2 tbsp oil (for pulping)
For frying and serving
- 3–4 tbsp oil (for shallow frying)
- Lemon wedges
- Mint chutney or tamarind chutney
Step‑by‑step method
1. Prepare the chicken patties
- In a large bowl, combine minced chicken with:
- Finely chopped onion
- Ginger‑garlic paste
- Chopped green chilies
- Green peas (if using)
- Add:
- Garam masala
- Coriander powder
- Cumin powder
- Red chili powder
- Salt
- Chaat masala (if using)
- Cornflour or breadcrumbs
- Mix well with your hands until the mixture holds together without being too wet.
- Divide into 14–16 small balls and flatten each into a round patty (about ½ inch thick).
- Cover and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes so the patties firm up and hold shape while frying.
2. Make the harabhara (green) coating
- In a blender or food processor, combine:
- Coriander leaves
- Mint leaves
- Green chilies
- Onion
- Cumin seeds
- Coriander seeds (if using)
- Blend into a thick paste, adding a little curd or yogurt and 1–2 tbsp oil for smoothness.
- Add a pinch of salt and blend again briefly.
- Adjust consistency: it should be thick enough to coat the patties but not runny.
- Transfer this green paste into a shallow bowl.
3. Coat and fry the harabharas
- Take one chilled chicken patty, dip it in the green harabhara paste, and coat it evenly on both sides. Repeat for all patties.
- Heat oil in a heavy pan for shallow frying (or deep frying if you prefer).
- Gently place the coated patties into the hot oil.
- Fry on medium‑low flame, turning once, until both sides are golden brown and crisp (about 3–4 minutes per side).
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper to remove excess oil.
Serving ideas
- Serve hot with lemon wedges, mint chutney, or tamarind‑date chutney for dipping.
- Pair Chicken Harabhara with tandoori chicken, royal biryani, or falooda for a full Indian-style meal series you can feature on RecipeBuzz!.
- For an appetizer platter, serve with mirchi ka salan, raita, onion rings, and kachumber salad.
- Great for weekend dinners, Rakhi or Eid occasions, or as a starter feature in an “Indian Kebab Special” post on your blog.
Tips for the best results
- Keep the chicken mixture lightly moist but not wet; if it feels loose, add a little more cornflour or breadcrumbs.
- Don’t skip the chilling step—it helps the patties stay intact while frying.
- For a healthier version, pan‑sear or shallow‑fry with minimal oil instead of deep‑frying.
- Adjust green chilies to your heat level: fewer for milder flavor, more for a fiery kick.
With this Chicken Harabhara Recipe, RecipeBuzz! brings you a restaurant‑style, herb‑packed kebab that’s easy to reproduce at home and perfect for readers who love bold North Indian flavors.