39 of The Best Indian Recipes You’ll Ever Make

Chicken Korma

Spicy and satisfying, try this chicken korma recipe that is the perfect weeknight meal for the whole family. —Jemima Madhavan, Lincoln, Nebraska

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Mughali Chicken

I enjoy cooking for my family and try to incorporate healthy new foods into our menus. This authentic Indian dish is a favorite. —Aruna Kancharla, Bentonville, Arkansas

Make sure you have these essential Indian spices and herbs on hand.

Samosas

This samosa recipe is one of my family’s absolute favorites. These crispy dough pockets are stuffed with potatoes and peas and then air-fried to give them a healthier twist. In India’s northern and western regions, samosas are a popular street food. They also make a perfect starter or side dish. —Soniya Saluja, The Belly Rules the Mind

Check out this other popular Indian street food, chaat.

Curry Shrimp and Rice

My family and I absolutely love curry shrimp and rice. I created this version so I I can make it in a hurry. Except for the butter and shrimp, all the ingredients are right in my pantry. To add a little heat, we like to stir in a tablespoon of fresh ground chili paste. —Angela Spengler, Niceville, Florida

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Chapati Breads

My daughter and I prepare this Indian flatbread frequently. It is so fun to make and goes well with any spiced dish. We use the extras to make sandwich wraps. —Joyce McCarthy, Sussex, Wisconsin

Here’s more on the Indian bread types you need to know about.

Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken

This slow-cooker butter chicken recipe is similar to the Middle Eastern version I had in Malaysia. I spent several years there eating a variety of Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian food. Butter chicken was one of my favorite dishes while I was there! —Shannon Copley, Upper Arlington, Ohio

Beef Curry with Rice

Instead of going out to a restaurant, I created this beef curry recipe using a chuck roast, spinach and spices for us to enjoy at home. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Mango Lassi

Learn how to make mango lassi, the perfect summer drink any mango lover will love. Mango lassi is a sweet and refreshing treat only needs 6 ingredients! —Namrata Telugu, Terre Haute, Indiana

Tandoori Chicken

A hand-mixed spice rub makes ordinary chicken worthy of a special occasion. Plus, it takes awhile to marinate, so you can do other things while the spicy yogurt sauce works its magic. —Dena Leigh at Amici’s Catered Cuisine, Oldsmar, Florida

Grilled Garlic Naan

Indian food is my all-time favorite and no meal is complete without some naan. I like to brush grilled or baked naan with lots of butter, garlic and a little chopped cilantro.—Jerry Gulley, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

Here’s more on how to make naan at home.

Madras Curried Eggs with Rice

Whoever said that gourmet foods take ages to prepare did not know about this traditional Indian curried eggs dish, which my mother-in-law shared with me. Its meatless simplicity and all the accompaniments make it unique, delicious and unforgettable. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida

Kulfi

I grew up near Little India in California, and I loved the desserts from Indian sweets shops. One of them sold kulfi, a spiced and nutty frozen custard in cone molds. Here I use a shortcut method to make kulfi quickly and without any special equipment. The whole milk can be replaced with mango pulp for mango kulfi. —Justine Kmiecik, Crestview, Florida

You’ll definitely want to try these other Indian dessert recipes, too.

Chickpea & Potato Curry

I make chana masala, the classic Indian chickpea curry, in my slow cooker. First browning the onion, ginger and garlic really makes the sauce amazing. —Anjana Devasahayam, San Antonio, Texas

Learn how to make paneer at home, too!

Ceylon Chicken Curry Noodle Soup

This comforting chicken curry noodle soup is a take on a soup I ate during childhood. It is loaded with ingredients to boost your immune system and can easily be made vegan or vegetarian. —Sarita Gelner, Chesterfield, Missouri

Take a peek at these amazing traditional Indian main dishes.

Coconut Garlic Naan

I love the airy, chewy inside and the crisp, salty exterior of this garlic naan recipe. Using ingredients like whole wheat flour and coconut oil creates a healthier (and even tastier) snack. You’ll love this nutty bread smeared with garlic confit and sea salt. —Morgan Harrison, Astoria, New York

Chicken Tikka Masala

This Indian-style chicken tikka masala recipe has flavors that keep me coming back for more—a simple dish spiced with garam masala, cumin and gingerroot that’s simply amazing. —Jaclyn Bell, Logan, Utah

Make sure you have these essential Indian cooking tools in your kitchen.

Tandoori-Style Chicken with Cucumber Melon Relish

We all need a quick meal that's deliciously healthy. I marinate the chicken before I leave for work, and when I get home, I grill the chicken and make the relish. My husband loves the spicy flavor. To amp up the heat, add more crushed red pepper flakes. —Naylet LaRochelle, Miami, Florida

Coconut-Ginger Chickpeas & Tomatoes

This is my go-to quick dish. When you add tomatoes, you can also toss in some chopped green peppers (jalapenos, if you like heat) to make it even more colorful. —Mala Udayamurthy, San Jose, California

(For a classic Indian meal, serve kheer (Indian rice pudding) for dessert. Here’s how to make kheer.)

Slow-Cooked Curry Chicken

Our three children love the spicy flavors found in this Crock-Pot chicken curry. Add more or less curry depending on your taste preferences. —Helen Toulantis, Wantagh, New York

Chai

Perfect for cold nights, this masala chai tea recipe incorporates spices that make it so delicious, you’ll want to drink it every day. —Kelly Pacowta, Danbury, Connecticut

Cauliflower Tikka Masala

I’m a vegetarian and I always find it challenging to find new recipes. This cauliflower tikka masala is my easy take on the original. It’s made healthy by the use of an air fryer and pressure cooker. —Garima Arora, Charlotte, North Carolina

Chicken Samosas

This chicken samosa recipe is best served with yogurt dipping sauce or chutney (like coriander and mint, tamarind or sweet mango). The dough and filling can be made ahead for quick assembly before guests arrive. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Vegan Butter Cauliflower

I created this Indian butter cauliflower recipe for all the picky eaters in my family who love ethnic food. It’s also vegan-friendly. —Mihaela Metaxa-Albu, London, New York

Coconut Red Curry Stew

This is a fragrant and flavorful dish that's packed with nutritious goodness. I like to enjoy it with sticky rice. —Marly Chaland, Maple, Ontario

Sheet-Pan Tandoori Chicken

This tandoori chicken recipe is easy for weeknights since it bakes in one pan, but it is also special enough for guests. The best part? There isn’t much to clean up when dinner is over! —Anwar Khan, Iriving, Texas

Easy Chana Masala

I love this quick and healthy Indian-inspired dish so much I always make sure to have the ingredients stocked in my pantry. It makes weeknight dinners feel a little more special. —Janeen Judah, Houston, Texas

Milk Turmeric Tea

Lately, turmeric is the health food everyone’s talking about. Reap the benefits yourself by brewing a cup of “golden milk,” a turmeric tea recipe with milk and spices.

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Slow-Cooker Coconut Curry Chicken

My husband and I love this slow-cooker coconut curry chicken! It’s a breeze to prepare and it tastes just like a meal you’d have at your favorite Indian or Thai restaurant. —Andi Kauffman, Beavercreek, Oregon

Indian Spiced Chickpea Wraps

Raita, an Indian condiment made with yogurt, elevates this vegetarian dish to a satisfying gourmet wrap. If you're in the mood to experiment, try diced mango or cucumber for the pineapple and add fresh herbs like cilantro or mint. —Jennifer Beckman, Falls Church, Virginia

Indian Ginger Potatoes

This easy ginger potato dish is so flavorful. Make it even faster by cooking the potatoes ahead of time or using leftover potatoes. —Erin Kelkar, Norcross, Georgia

Mango Chutney Chicken Curry

My father dreamed up this curry and chutney combination. Now my family cooks it on road trips—in rain and sun, in the mountains, even on the beach. Adjust the curry for taste and heat. —Dina Moreno, Seattle, Washington

Vegetable Samosas

My family enjoys the wonderful Indian flavors in a traditional samosa. Baked instead of fried, this version has fewer calories but keeps all the classic tastes and textures we love. —Amy Siegel, Clifton, New Jersey

Curry Chicken Stew

My Grandma Inky grew up in India and passed down this recipe to my mother, who then passed it down to me. The recipe brings back fond memories of the family gathered around the table, enjoying this delicious meal and catching up on one another's day. I tweaked the ingredients a bit to fit my toddler's taste buds, but it's just as scrumptious as Grandma's own. —Teresa Flowers, Sacramento, California

Roasted Curried Chickpeas and Cauliflower

When there’s not much time to cook, try roasting potatoes and cauliflower with chickpeas for a warm-you-up dinner. It's a filling meal on its own, but you can add chicken or tofu to the sheet pan if you'd like. —Pam Correll, Brockport, Pennsylvania

Try these crispy air-fryer Indian recipes, too.

Tandoori Chicken Thighs

I spent time in India and love reminders of this vibrant culture, so this tandoori chicken makes me happy. Served with warmed naan bread and a cool tomato and cucumber salad, it's a whole meal. —Claire Elston, Spokane, Washington

Slow-Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Just a small dash of garam marsala adds lots of flavor. The bright red sauce coats the caramelized chicken beautifully. —Anwar Khan, Irving, Texas

Slow Cooker Curry Chicken

My husband travels for business and discovered that he likes Indian cuisine. Chicken curry with apricots has all the delicious flavors we love to enjoy. —Katie Schultz, Temple, Georgia

Cauliflower & Tofu Curry

Cauliflower, garbanzo beans and tofu are each subtle on their own, but together they make an awesome base for curry. We have this recipe weekly because one of us is always craving it. —Patrick McGilvray, Cincinnati, Ohio

Warm Spiced Chai

My wife loves chai, but I have never been satisfied with any of the store-bought mixes, so I created my own. —Justin Weber, Milwaukee, Wisconsin