Authentic Chicken Rezala Recipe | Better Than Restaurant | Creamy Mughlai Chicken Curry
Authentic Chicken Rezala Recipe | Better Than Restaurant | Creamy Mughlai Chicken Curry
Learn how to make Authentic Chicken Rezala at home with this easy step-by-step recipe. This creamy Bengali Mughlai chicken curry is rich, mildly spiced, aromatic, and better than restaurant style. Perfect for biryani, naan, paratha, or pulao.
By Amit Kaul
Location: India
Published on: June 16, 2026
Authentic Chicken Rezala Recipe | Better Than Restaurant
If you’re looking for a rich, royal, and incredibly flavorful chicken curry, Chicken Rezala is one of Bengal’s most treasured Mughlai dishes. Unlike spicy red curries, this delicacy is famous for its silky white gravy made with yogurt, cashew paste, melon seeds, fragrant whole spices, and aromatic ghee.
Served in the finest Mughlai restaurants of Kolkata, Chicken Rezala is surprisingly easy to recreate at home. This recipe makes a superb curry that is so creamy and fragrant that your family will assume it was made in a restaurant.
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Serves: 4–5
Ingredients
For Marination
- 1 kg chicken (medium pieces)
- ½ cup thick yogurt
- 1 tbsp ginger paste
- 1 tbsp garlic paste
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp white pepper powder
For optimal flavor, marinate for at least an hour or overnight.
For the Rezala Gravy
- 3 tbsp ghee
- 2 tbsp oil
- 2 bay leaves
- 5 green cardamoms
- 6 cloves
- 1-inch cinnamon stick
- 1 black cardamom
- 1 tsp whole black pepper
- 2 onions (thinly sliced)
- 2 tbsp cashew paste
- 2 tbsp melon seed (magaz) paste
- 2 tbsp fresh cream (optional)
- 1 tsp sugar
- Salt to taste
- 2 cups warm water
- 1 tsp kewra water
- ½ tsp rose water
- 4–5 green chilies (whole)
- ½ tsp garam masala powder
https://chillybite.com/street-style-chicken-tikka-masala-recipe/
How to Make Chicken Rezala
Step 1: Marinate
Combine the chicken, yogurt, white pepper, salt, and ginger-garlic paste.
For at least an hour, cover and chill.
Step 2: Fry Whole Spices
Heat ghee and oil.
Add:
- Bay leaves
- Cardamom
- Cloves
- Cinnamon
- Black cardamom
- Whole peppercorns
Cook until aromatic.
Step 3: Cook the Onions
Add sliced onions.
Cook until they become soft and lightly golden.
Do not brown them too much, as Rezala should retain its characteristic pale color.
Step 4: Add Chicken
Add the marinated chicken.
Cook over medium-high heat for about 10–12 minutes until the moisture evaporates and the chicken begins to release oil.
Step 5: Make the Royal Gravy
Mix in:
Cashew paste
Melon seed paste
Cook gently for 5 minutes.
Add warm water.
Cover and simmer for 20–25 minutes until the chicken becomes tender.
Step 6: Final Touch
Add:
- Green chilies
- Sugar
- Fresh cream (optional)
- Garam masala
- Kewra water
- Rose water
Cook for another 2–3 minutes.
Turn off the heat and let the curry rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Chef’s Secret Tips
✔ Use fresh homemade yogurt for the smoothest gravy.
✔ Cook the onions only until soft to maintain the authentic white appearance.
✔ Cashew and melon seed paste create the signature creamy texture.
✔ Kewra water is the key ingredient that gives Chicken Rezala its authentic Mughlai aroma.
✔ Rest the curry before serving to allow the flavors to deepen.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken Rezala tastes amazing with:
- Kolkata-style Biryani
- Butter Naan
- Rumali Roti
- Lachha Paratha
- Jeera Rice
- Saffron Pulao
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Authentic Mughlai restaurant flavor
- Rich, creamy, and aromatic gravy
- Mild spice level suitable for everyone
- Perfect for family dinners and festive occasions
- Easy step-by-step instructions
- Better than restaurant quality
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Chicken Rezala white?
Traditional Rezala uses yogurt, cashew paste, melon seeds, and aromatic spices instead of tomatoes or red chili powder, giving it its signature creamy white color.
Can I make it without cream?
Yes. Authentic Rezala traditionally relies on yogurt, cashew, and melon seed paste for richness. Cream is optional.
Can I prepare it ahead of time?
Absolutely. The flavors become even better after a few hours or the next day.
https://digitalamitkaul.online/restaurant-style-palak-paneer-secret-recipe/
Authentic Chicken Rezala – Final Thoughts
Chicken Rezala is one of the finest Mughlai delicacies you can prepare at home. Its silky white gravy, fragrant spices, and melt-in-the-mouth chicken make it a perfect centerpiece for festive meals and special occasions. Once you try this authentic recipe, you’ll never feel the need to order it from a restaurant again.
Bring the royal taste of Kolkata’s Mughlai cuisine to your kitchen and enjoy a truly unforgettable meal.
Happy Cooking!
About the Author
Amit Kaul is a food content writer and digital publisher based in India. He specializes in creating original, experience-driven recipes and home-cooking guides. All recipes published on this website are personally researched, tested, and written by him, following Google’s E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) guidelines.