Chicken Halwa Recipe (Sweet & Savory Royal Delight) 🍗

Short Description:
Chicken Halwa is a rare Mughlai-inspired dessert combining finely shredded chicken with ghee, sugar, milk, and rich spices. Though not widely known, this sweet-savory halwa was once a delicacy in royal kitchens, especially in Hyderabad and certain parts of Kerala. Its unusual flavor makes it a conversation starter at any table!

📊 Recipe Details

• ⭐ Rating: 8.7/10

• 🧠 Difficulty Level: Medium

• 💰 Budget: $5 – $8 USD

• ⏱️ Cooking Time: 60 minutes

• 🍽️ Category: Non-Vegetarian

• 🔥 Meal Type: Dessert / Festival Sweet / Royal Treat

• 👥 Serving Size: 4–6 persons

🧪 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• 🍛 Calories: ~260 kcal

• 💪 Protein: ~12g

• 🥓 Fats: ~14g

• 🍞 Carbohydrates: ~22g

🛒 Ingredients

✅ For the Halwa:

• 250g boneless chicken (preferably breast)

• 500ml milk

• 1 cup sugar (adjust to taste)

• ¼ cup ghee (clarified butter)

• 1 tbsp wheat flour or semolina (optional, for texture)

• ¼ tsp cardamom powder

• 1 tbsp chopped cashews

• 1 tbsp sliced almonds

• 1 tsp rose water (optional)

• A few saffron strands soaked in warm milk (optional)

👨‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

🍗 Step 1: Cook & Shred Chicken

1. Boil chicken in water or milk until soft.

2. Let it cool, then shred finely or mince in a food processor.

🥄 Step 2: Sauté the Chicken

1. In a non-stick pan, heat ghee.

2. Add the shredded chicken and sauté on low heat until slightly golden and dry (~10 minutes).

🥣 Step 3: Cook Halwa Base

1. Add milk gradually and cook the chicken on low flame.

2. Stir constantly to avoid sticking.

3. Add sugar, cardamom powder, saffron milk (if using), and stir continuously.

🌟 Step 4: Thicken & Flavor

1. When the mixture starts thickening, optionally add wheat flour or semolina for richness.

2. Add chopped nuts and continue stirring until the halwa leaves the sides of the pan.

3. Mix in rose water at the end.

❄️ Step 5: Serve or Set

• Serve warm in a bowl, or set it in a greased tray and cut into pieces once cool.

🍽️ Serving

• Serves: 4–6 people

• Best Served: Warm or at room temperature

• Storage: Refrigerate up to 3 days in airtight container

• Perfect For: Eid, Iftar, weddings, royal feasts, rare sweet tasting events

💡 Tips

• Make sure the chicken is shredded very finely for a smooth halwa.

• Use high-quality ghee for authentic flavor.

• Add a few drops of kewra or rose essence for a traditional royal touch.

• You can also add khoya (milk solids) for extra richness.

🧾 About the Dish

🌍 Origin & History

Chicken Halwa is said to have originated in Mughal kitchens and is still prepared during special feasts in Hyderabad and some parts of Kerala (Thalassery cuisine). Though not mainstream, it was considered a luxurious and rare dish, offering both protein and sweetness in one bowl — symbolizing abundance and wealth.

🥄 Taste Profile

• Texture: Soft, slightly grainy with crunchy nuts

• Flavor: A rich blend of sweet ghee and mild meatiness

• Aroma: Fragrant with cardamom, ghee, saffron, and rose

📍 Where Can You Use This Recipe?

• Cultural Festivals: Eid, Bakrid, Iftar

• Weddings & Nikkah Functions: A rare dessert to impress

• Food Shows: Unique sweet to stand out

• Gourmet Menus: Great for heritage Indian/Mughlai tasting menus

👤 Who Should Eat It?

• Adventurous foodies

• Non-vegetarians who love experimenting with rare royal dishes

• High-protein dessert seekers

• People who appreciate fusion of savory and sweet

🙅‍♂️ Who Should Avoid It?

• Vegetarians/Vegans

• People on strict low-sugar diets

• Anyone uncomfortable with meat-based desserts

➕ Bonus Variations

• Chicken + Dates Halwa: Add pureed dates instead of sugar for a natural sweetener

• Spicy Chicken Halwa: Add a touch of pepper for a spicy kick

• Chicken Coconut Halwa: Add coconut milk for a South Indian twist

• Keto Chicken Halwa: Use erythritol/stevia, almond flour, and full-fat cream