White curry · Peppery and creamy
Chicken Kali Mirch Recipe (Black Pepper Chicken)
Fresh pepper. Yogurt and cream. No red chilli.
Recipe by Farwa ZeeshanTested in the NineFoods home kitchenChicken kali mirch is a white curry where freshly crushed black pepper is the main spice. It fails when the gravy splits or tastes flat. The fix is coarse, freshly crushed pepper, yogurt added on low heat, and cream to finish.
The 3 laws of chicken kali mirch
Why this recipe works
Old powder
Freshly crushed pepper is aromatic, not just hot.
High heat
Yogurt stays smooth on low.
Red masala
The curry should stay white.
Shopping and prep list
Ingredients
Chicken
Pepper and aromatics
The NineFoods chicken gauge
Is the chicken cooked?
Cut into the thickest piece near the bone. Tap what you see.
Method · 3 stages
Step by step
Sear chicken
- Heat oil, add ginger garlic paste and chicken.
- Fry until white with no browning.
Yogurt
- Lower the heat, add yogurt, salt, cumin and half the pepper.
- Cover and cook. Use the gauge above.
Cream finish
- Add cream, remaining pepper and green chillies.
- Simmer uncovered until thick.
Chef's troubleshooter
What went wrong? Pick the symptom
Why
Yogurt on high heat.
Fix next time
Lower the heat before adding yogurt and stir constantly.
Why
Too much pepper.
Fix next time
Add 2 tbsp more cream.
Why
Chicken browned.
Fix next time
Seal the chicken only until white.
Why
Old ground pepper.
Fix next time
Crush whole peppercorns just before cooking.
Swap smart
Ingredient roles and substitutes
| Ingredient | Job in the dish | Swap with |
|---|---|---|
| Cream | Richness | Milk powder, 2 tbsp in water |
| Yogurt | Body | Cashew paste |
| Chicken | Main protein | Boneless thigh |
| White pepper | Gentle heat | More black pepper |
After the meal
Serve, store, reheat
Serve with
Naan or paratha.
Store
Fridge 2 days; cream-based curries do not freeze well.
Reheat
Warm slowly on low without boiling, adding a spoon of milk if thick.
How we tested this recipe
Tested in a home kitchen, not a studio
Recipe developed and tested by Farwa Zeeshan, who cooks and tests every NineFoods recipe on a regular home stove.
- Cooked from start to finish with the exact quantities above for 4 servings, using both the metric and US cup measures.
- Every one of the 3 stages was timed at the stove; heat levels and the 'look for' cues are what we saw in the pan.
- The doneness check (is the chicken cooked) and the troubleshooter come from batches that went wrong, and how we fixed them.
- Reheating and storage advice was checked on leftovers, not guessed.
Keep cooking
Related recipes and guides
Quick answers
Chicken Kali Mirch FAQ
What is kali mirch?
Kali mirch means black pepper in Urdu.
Why is my white curry not white?
The chicken or onions were browned. Seal the chicken only until white.
Can I skip cream?
Yes, use more yogurt, though it will be tangier.
Is chicken kali mirch spicy?
It is peppery but has no red chilli.