50+ EASY Indian Recipes for Dinner Tonight!

Indian cooking is one of the most complex, aromatic and flavorful cuisines in the world. With this blog post, you can explore some delicious recipes to create a unique, satisfying and stunning meal. From starters to main courses to vegetarian recipes, you’ll find something that fits your cooking level and pleases your taste buds. Get ready to embark on a flavorful journey of Indian cooking with these 50+ delicious recipes!

Do you ever dream of indulging in the flavors of Indian cuisine, but are overwhelmed by the complexity?

Look no further!

This comprehensive post will provide you with an array of easy, delicious, and authentic Indian recipes, no matter what your cooking skill level!

Some of these, like Chicken Vindaloo and Chicken Tikka Masala are traditional Indian cuisine, while others, like this Instant Pot Butter Chicken, are more new-school with an Indian flavor twist. But the one thing they all have in common is that they’re super delicious and easy to prepare!

Read on to explore these scrumptious recipes and start cooking up some of the most flavorful dishes in the world!

PS – Don’t forget about these 25+ easy Indian Appetizers, Healthy Indian Recipes, Indian Side Dishes and delicious Indian Desserts too! Plus, the best wine pairings for Indian food.

The BEST Indian Recipes to Try Out!

Overhead shot of slow cooker butter chicken in black bowl with rice.
This Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is a deliciously spiced Indian dish that’s easy to make with the help of your crockpot.
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Overhead shot of prawn biryani in serving bowl topped with raita.
This Prawn Biryani is infused with warm, spicy flavors in layers of rice, prawns, gravy and raita. Make this dish on a special occasion or anytime a craving strikes!
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Overhead shot of bowl of lamb curry served over rice with dollop of yogurt and charred lemon slices.
Slow Cooker Lamb Curry is a hearty meal that’s easy to prepare & delicious. This easy lamb curry recipe results in fall apart tender meat that’s perfectly spiced. 
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Overhead shot of butter chickpeas served on bed of brown rice in grey bowl with pita bread.
Indian Butter Chickpeas feature tender chickpeas simmered in an intensely flavorful and aromatic Indian-inspired butter sauce. Either serve it as the main course with rice or as a delicious vegetarian and vegan-friendly side dish.
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Overhead closeup view of split pea dal with pickled red onions
This Instant Pot Dal comes together with minimal effort with the help of your electric pressure cooker. These delicious bowls of dal are topped with quick-pickled red onion and tangy yogurt for an unforgettable, vegetarian meal that’s perfect for Meatless Monday or any day of the week. 
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Close up of curry chicken skewers on grey plate with parchment paper.
Curried Chicken Skewers with Lime are quick and easy to prepare on the grill. Deliciously fragrant and tangy, they're perfect served alongside some rice and a simple salad. 
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Overhead shot of aloo vindaloo in bowl with rice.
This Potato Vindaloo Curry recipe is a spicy Indian vegetarian dish that makes a quick and healthy lunch or dinner.
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Indian tomato soup in grey bowl topped with naan croutons.
This Indian Tomato Soup is not your average tomato soup recipe! Made with warm and vibrant Indian spices and topped with homemade naan croutons and a Greek yogurt sauce, it’s a silky smooth vegetarian meal that comfort food fanatics will love.
Indian Tomato Soup
Overhead shot of butter chicken in bowl topped with lime wedges and cilantro.
This Instant Pot Butter Chicken recipe features chicken simmered in a mildly spiced, creamy tomato sauce. This delicious Indian dish, served over rice, will be on your dinner table in a flash.
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Saag paneer is a spinach-based vegetarian dish combined which combines fragrant spices with paneer, a rubbery Indian cheese.
Get the RECIPE from Cooking with Cocktail Rings
Crockpot Creamy Coconut Chicken Tikka Masala: Serve over bowls of rice and you’ll have the perfect bowl of warming, delicious comfort food!
Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest
Tandoori Chicken and Cauliflower Sheet Pan Dinner. Traditional tandoori spices like turmeric, cumin and cinnamon are the secret to this simple cauliflower and chicken sheet pan dinner’s rich, warm flavors.
Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper.
Make this easy chicken saag curry recipe at home! Nearly identical to restaurant quality and an incredibly quick and healthy Indian meal.
Get the RECIPE from Running to the Kitchen
Tandoori Chicken oven baked for easy home cooking. A simple 4-ingredient meal that is a cinch to prepare and so incredibly tasty!
Get the RECIPE from Mad Creations Hub
This recipe for Kofta Curry (meatball curry) is full-flavored, super creamy and features tender chicken meatballs. A winner all around!
Get the RECIPE from Zestful Kitchen
Warm spices like ginger, turmeric, cinnamon and cumin mixed with yogurt make the marinade for this simple whole tandoori roast chicken.
Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper
This healthy, Instant Pot chicken tikka masala is a quick and easy Whole30 compliant version of the classic Indian dish. Ready in just 30 minutes, this flavorful dish will be a family favorite in no time!
Get the RECIPE from Mary’s Whole Life
This Chicken Korma is a delicious Indian dish made with mildly spiced chicken that’s been marinated in a homemade korma paste. Super easy and quick!
Get the RECIPE from Jo Cooks
Easy weeknight recipe for Chicken Vindaloo, a popular Indian curry made with a unique spice paste of dried chilies, tamarind, and vinegar.
Get the RECIPE from Spice Cravings
When you’re in need of warming comfort food, this vibrant, wholesome Coconut Curry Chicken Meatball Soup with Rice is just the soup to make!
Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest
The Modern Proper took classic Indian chicken tikka masala and turned it into a soup that is the definition of cozy. Slurping encouraged.
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This creamy, spiced Chicken Korma recipe is the stuff dreams are made of. Loosen up those pants and make this delectable Indian dish at home!
Get the RECIPE from The Wanderlust Kitchen
An authentic Chicken Biryani recipe with simple, easy-to-follow instructions and mouthwatering, traditional Pakistani and Indian flavor.
Get the RECIPE from Tea for Turmeric
Indian Chicken Curry is creamy and savory, made with chicken breast in a seasoned yogurt and tomato sauce, ready in 30 minutes!
Get the RECIPE from Cooking Made Healthy
Simple Coconut Chicken Curry with sweet sesame mango…full of yummy Indian-inspired flavors, made in 30 mins, and so delicious!
Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest
Easy Mango Chutney Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner . Quick and crazy-delicious, a jar of mango chutney is the secret to the delicious, slightly sweet flavor of this chicken-and-cauliflower sheet pan dinner.
Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper
There’s nothing traditional about these chicken shawarma nachos—the meat isn’t cooked on a rotisserie, and is served over corn chips—but sometimes tradition has to scoot over to make room for fun.
Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper
Harissa chicken in skillet topped with dollops of yogurt sauce.
One Pot Harissa Chicken with Chickpeas is a fuss free dish that's easy to make at home. Spicy, fragrant harissa coats the chicken and chickpeas as they roast and a creamy yogurt harissa sauce finishes it off at the end.
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Overhead shot of lemon chicken skewers on plate next to bowl of harissa yogurt sauce.
These Lemon Chicken Skewers cook up perfectly on the grill and are served with a side of Harissa Yogurt Sauce for extra flavor.
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Chicken Chettinad curry is a finger-licking delicious Tamil Nadu dish made with homemade Chettinad masala and pairs well with rice, dosa, etc.
Get the RECIPE from But First Chai
Bowl of butternut curry with rice and spoon.
This Indian Butternut Squash Curry is a delicious vegetarian squash curry simmered with fragrant spices and rich coconut milk.
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Overhead shot of four pieces of naan stacked on wooden cutting board next to bowl of green chutney.
This Easy Homemade Naan & Chutney Recipe means that you can enjoy naan at home anytime with all your favorite dishes.
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Overhead shot of prepared raita sauce in bowl next to pita pieces.
This Raita Recipe is a popular Indian dip that’s creamy, crunchy and a perfect pair for warming and spicy foods.
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Overhead close up of bowl of lime coconut rice with chopsticks.
This Coconut Lime Rice is fragrant, fluffy, and easy to make. The mild coconut flavor is delectable, making this simple side dish perfect for curries, stir fry, stew, and more. Rice cooker, Instant Pot, and stovetop directions included.
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Samosa, an indian spicy potato and pea mixture wrapped in a flaky pastry and fried until crispy and delicious!
Get the RECIPE from Milk and Cardamom
Perfectly crisp, brilliantly seasoned papadum are easy to make at home! Shiitake powder adds umami for a new level of snacking satisfaction.
Get the RECIPE from BitterSweet Blog
Easy and the best South Indian coconut chutney recipe with step by step photos and video. Serve this delicious chutney with idli, dosa, vada, uttapam, pongal and many more south indian breakfast dishes.
Get the RECIPE from Cubes N Juliennes
A delicately spiced aloo gobi recipe that gets its flavors from an onion and tomato base with just a sprinkling of the big three spices of Indian cooking – turmeric, coriander and red chilli powders. It’s vegan, it’s easy and it’s tasty!
Get the RECIPE from Indian Ambrosia
Onion Bhaji – Finely sliced onion smothered in a simple, fragrantly spiced batter and fried to crispy perfection.
They’re also naturally gluten free!
Get the RECIPE from Kitchen Sanctuary
Jeera Aloo is a spiced dish made with cumin, fresh herbs, and is gluten-free and vegan. Jeera aloo recipe is easy & gets under 30 minutes.
Get the RECIPE from Veg Recipes of India
Vegetable Paneer Jalfrezi is a simple Indian vegetarian curry made with vegetables, paneer and Indian spices.This stir fry is low carb and keto recipe too.
Get the RECIPE from Carve Your Craving
Malai Kofta are delicious fried balls of potato and paneer in a rich and creamy mild gravy made with sweet onions and tomatoes.
Get the RECIPE from Dassana’s Veg Recipes
This bhindi masala recipe will convert any bhindi hater! It’s a punjabi style recipe & is full of flavor. Just follow the recipe & it won’t be slimy.
Get the RECIPE from My Food Story
Pakoras – spiced Indian vegetable fritters, a popular Indian street food snack or starter for an Indian meal. Or pass around as a canapé!
Get the RECIPE from Recipe Tin Eats
Learn how to make the BEST restaurant style paneer butter masala with steps on how to make paneer at home! Best served with parathas & jeera rice.
Get the RECIPE from My Food Story
The best restaurant style creamy matar paneer recipe under 30 minutes. Soft paneer and green peas cooked in onion tomato gravy. Tastes best with roti and rice. With step by step photos!
Get the RECIPE from Cubes N Juliennes
This crispy gobi 65 recipe is irresistibly delicious, perfectly cooked with crunchy layer makes it better than restaurant style, you will love this fried cauliflower recipe over and over again!
Get the RECIPE from Nithi’s Click & Cook
Hara bhara kabab is a crispy, easy to make vegan kabab recipe with spinach, green peas, potatoes & chickpea flour. Best filling snack!
Get the RECIPE from Cook Click N Devour
This is the classic Indian tomato soup recipe that tastes just like your favorite Indian restaurant. This creamy tomato soup gets ready in 30 minutes using instant pot.
Get the RECIPE from Spice Up The Curry
Make the popular Indian street food dahi papdi chaat at home with easy ingredients like baked tortilla papri, potato, yogurt and chickpea.
Get the RECIPE from Carve Your Craving
This Aloo Paratha recipe is a delicious pan-fried Indian potato stuffed flatbread that is easy to make with a simple 3-ingrendient dough and vegan filling.
Get the RECIPE from Bianca Zapatka
An easy, quick and spicy Vegan “Chicken” Masala Curry that you can make in under 30 minutes to satisfy any craving. Serve with rice or naan and raita.
Get the RECIPE from Holy Cow Vegan
This vegetarian tikka masala recipe is made with cauliflower (Gobi Masala), served with basmati rice & naan. Roasted cauliflower curry.
Get the RECIPE from The Cookie Rookie
Spinach soup !! Make this hearty, healthy & delicious soup with pantry staples. You will love this for everything – taste, texture & flavor
Get the RECIPE from Swasthi’s Recipes
Celebrate special occasions and festivals with this simple Rice Kheer, a fragrant Indian rice pudding made with a base of basmati rice, whole milk, and sugar!
Get the RECIPE from Masala and Chai

How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these Indian recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead. 

Wine Pairings for Indian Food

  • Indian dishes are heavily spiced and rich with complex flavors and aromas. The key is pairing the complexity with a fruity, cold wine like a sweet Riesling or a floral Rosé. 
  • A crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc also pair well with the spicy, savory flavors.

More Indian Inspired Recipes

Did you Make Any of These Indian Dishes?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of Indian recipes. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

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Collage of Indian recipes.

50+ BEST Indian Recipes

Embark on a flavorful journey with these 50+ delicious Indian recipes! From starters to main courses to vegetarian recipes and more! Try this Slow Cooker Butter Chicken. A deliciously spiced Indian dish that's easy to make with the help of your crockpot.
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add garlic and onion, and sauté until onions become translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Stir in coconut milk, tomato paste, flour, ginger, curry powder, garam masala, chili powder, and salt & pepper until well combined and slightly thickened, about 1-2 minute. 
  • Place chicken into a slow cooker. Cover with sauce mixture. Cover and cook on low heat for 6 hours, or high heat for 3 hours. 
  • Serve garnished with cilantro and greek yogurt. 
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Nutrition

Calories: 326kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 271mg | Potassium: 891mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 140IU | Vitamin C: 5.7mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1.3mg

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