Garam Masala-Spiced Chicken Thighs with Cucumber Raita

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-19 · Updated 2026-04-19

Tender chicken thighs coated in aromatic garam masala, paired with a cooling cucumber raita for a classic Indian meal. This Indian-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, garam masala, cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp coriander
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1, finely chopped onion
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 tbsp, minced ginger
• 1, peeled and grated cucumber
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 tbsp, chopped mint
• 1/4 tsp cumin

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat 1.5 lbs chicken thighs dry. Mix 2 tsp garam masala, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander, 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp lemon juice; rub over chicken. Let sit 15 minutes.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken skin-side down; cook 5 minutes until golden. Flip, add 1 chopped onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp minced ginger; cook 3 minutes until onion softens.
3. Step 3: Add 1 cup water, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
4. Step 4: Whisk 1 cup yogurt, 1 tbsp chopped mint, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp cumin in a bowl; mix with 1 grated cucumber.
5. Step 5: Serve chicken with cucumber raita on the side.