From Chicken Masala to Bhuna Meat: 10 top dhaba-style mutton and chicken dishes

There are two types of non-vegetarians: one that loves meat and the other who enjoys seafood a lot. When it comes to the former, there is nothing merrier than traditional mutton and chicken treats that use old-school techniques and whole spices, which make the dishes even more tempting and delicious. From Chicken Masala to Bhuna Meat, there are many such dishes that taste better when made in dhaba style. Scroll down to read the details and give them a try.

It is a simple yet fiery and classic preparation, where chicken pieces are slow-cooked with onions, tomatoes, green chilies, and a generous blend of masalas like cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, and chili. It is perfectly paired with butter naan or jeera rice.

As the name suggests, it is a meat preparation, where mutton or chicken is cooked in its own juices with a blend of spices. Dry yet juicy, this is a signature dhaba favourite that goes well with tandoori roti.

It is a homely yet flavorful curry with a rustic base of onion, ginger-garlic, and hand-pounded masalas. It is best cooked in a kadhai over slow flame and enjoyed with hot tandoori rotis.

This is deep red and aromatic and has a Kashmiri-origin, and is now a dhaba staple across North India. Here, “Rogan” means “oil” or “fat,” and “Josh” means “heat” or “passion,” referring to the slow-cooked, richly spiced nature of the dish. Traditionally made with mutton (goat meat), yogurt, and a blend of spices like Kashmiri red chili, cardamom, and cloves, it’s best enjoyed with khamiri roti.

As the name suggests, it is a chicken dish made in a kadhai (mostly iron) along with capsicum, onion, and lots of crushed coriander. This semi-dry chicken dish is bold, tangy, and spicy and goes well with plain tawa roti and jeera rice too.

This mutton curry is rustic and thick, and is cooked with bones to give it that authentic depth of flavor. It is often cooked slowly in generous oil or ghee to bring out maximum flavor and is best served with naan, roti, or rice.

It is one of the most popular chicken preparations and is known for its creamy texture and smokiness. As compared to restaurant ones, it is slightly less sweet, and is rich in earthy tomato flavours. It goes well with naan, tandoori roti, and jeera rice.

This is more of a snack or appetizer, where tender chicken pieces are marinated in yogurt and ground spices like cumin, coriander, red chilli, and roasted in a clay tandoor till smoky and charred. It can be enjoyed as a meal with rumali roti and green chutney.

This is one of the famous mutton dishes enjoyed at dhabas, where minced mutton is cooked with onions, tomatoes, and peas, and makes for a perfect side dish that is hearty, flavorful, and pairs beautifully with tandoori rotis or even pav.

As the name suggests, it is a chicken dish cooked in clay pot (handi) with yogurt and whole spices, this dish has a slow-cooked richness that captures the essence of dhaba-style cooking and pairs well with steamed rice.

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