Three of the most-ordered chicken dishes in Lahore's tiffin market are Chicken Karahi (the classic red), Chicken White Karahi (Peshawari-style), and Chicken Handi. They look similar on the menu — same chicken, same price bracket, roughly the same portion — but they're genuinely different dishes with different flavour profiles.
Chicken Karahi (Red / Lahori-style)
The default in Punjab. Bone-in halal chicken cooked in a heavy wok (karahi) with fresh tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic, and green chillies. The tomato base gives it the signature red-orange colour. Finished with hand-crushed black pepper and coriander. Spice level: medium to spicy. Order our Chicken Karahi.
Chicken White Karahi (Peshawari-style)
Same cooking vessel (karahi), completely different flavour direction. Instead of tomatoes, the base is yogurt and cream, with heavy use of green chillies for heat rather than tomato tang. The result is pale, creamy, and spicy in a totally different way — more warmth, less acidity. This is the Peshawari tradition. Spice level: medium, with a slow-building chilli warmth. Order our Chicken White Karahi.
Chicken Handi
The clay handi (pot) is the give-away. Chicken Handi is slow-cooked in a sealed clay pot with fresh cream, tomatoes, ginger, and kasuri methi (dried fenugreek). Because it's slow-braised in clay, the aromas concentrate — it's the most fragrant of the three. Slightly less spicy than Karahi. Spice level: medium. Order our Chicken Handi.
Side-by-side comparison
| Dish | Base | Spice | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Karahi | Tomato + onion | Medium-Spicy | Classic desi lovers |
| White Karahi | Yogurt + cream | Medium (chilli-driven) | Creamy-food fans |
| Chicken Handi | Cream + tomato + methi | Medium | Rich, aromatic preference |
Which should you order first?
If you've never tried any of the three, start with classic Chicken Karahi — it's the safest, most-recognised flavour and a great baseline. If it turns out too spicy, switch to White Karahi. If you want richer and more aromatic, go for Handi.
Order any of them with 2 rotis and a free salad. WhatsApp 0324-7619376.
