40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (2024)

by Erin

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Looking for some healthyIndian recipesfor dinner or lunch? There are so many great options! From Tandoori Chicken, to Dal, and more! Here are 40+ delicious and healthy Indian dishes to try at home!

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (1)

Do you ever dream of indulging in the flavors of Indian cuisine, but are looking for something a little more healthy?

Look no further!

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

Some of these recipes are traditional Indian cuisine, while others 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!

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

Easy & Healthy Indian Recipes to Try Out!

This Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is a deliciously spiced Indian dish that's easy to make with the help of your crockpot.

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

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.

Indian Butter Chickpeas

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.

Instant Pot Dal

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.

Curried Chicken Skewers

This Potato Vindaloo Curry recipe is a spicy Indian vegetarian dish that makes a quick and healthy lunch or dinner.

Potato Vindaloo Curry

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (7)

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.

Recipe: The Modern Proper

Tandoori Chicken and Cauliflower Sheet Pan Dinner

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (8)

Tandoori Chicken oven baked for easy home cooking. A simple 4-ingredient meal that is a cinch to prepare and so incredibly tasty!
Recipe: Mad Creations Hub

Baked Tandoori Chicken

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (9)

Warm spices like ginger, turmeric, cinnamon and cumin mixed with yogurt make the marinade for this simple whole tandoori roast chicken.
Recipe: The Modern Proper

Roasted Tandoori Chicken

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (10)

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!
Recipe: Jo Cooks

Chicken Korma

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (11)

Easy weeknight recipe for Chicken Vindaloo, a popular Indian curry made with a unique spice paste of dried chilies, tamarind, and vinegar.
Recipe: Spice Cravings

Chicken Vindaloo

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (12)

The Modern Proper took classic Indian chicken tikka masala and turned it into a soup that is the definition of cozy. Slurping encouraged.

Recipe: The Modern Proper

Tikka Masala Soup

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (13)

Simple Coconut Chicken Curry with sweet sesame mango…full of yummy Indian-inspired flavors, made in 30 mins, and so delicious!
Recipe: Half Baked Harvest

Coconut Chicken Curry

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (14)

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.

Recipe: The Modern Proper

Easy Mango Chutney Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

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.

One Pot Harissa Chicken with Chickpeas

These Lemon Chicken Skewers cook up perfectly on the grill and are served with a side of Harissa Yogurt Sauce for extra flavor.

Lemon Chicken Skewers

This Indian Butternut Squash Curry is a delicious vegetarian squash curry simmered with fragrant spices and rich coconut milk.

Indian Butternut Squash Curry

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (18)

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!
Recipe: Indian Ambrosia

Aloo Gobi

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (19)

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.
Recipe: Carve Your Craving

Vegetable Paneer Jalfrezi

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (20)

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.
Recipe: My Food Story

Bhindi Masala

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (21)

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!

Recipe: Nithi's Click & Cook

Cauliflower 65

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (22)

Hara bhara kabab is a crispy, easy to make vegan kabab recipe with spinach, green peas, potatoes & chickpea flour. Best filling snack!
Recipe: Cook Click N Devour

Hara Bhara Kabab

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (23)

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.

Recipe: Spicy Up The Curry

Creamy Indian Tomato Soup

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (24)

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.
Recipe: Holy Cow Vegan

Spicy Vegan Chicken Masala

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (25)

This vegetarian tikka masala recipe is made with cauliflower (Gobi Masala), served with basmati rice & naan. Roasted cauliflower curry.
Recipe: The Cookie Rookie

Vegetarian Tikka Masala

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (26)

This is an easy and authentic tasting Kathal Ki Sabji recipe. The crave-able jackfruit curry is vegan, sattvic, and gluten-free.

Recipe: Cinnamon Snail

Jackfruit Curry (Kathal Ki Sabji)

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (27)

Palak Paneer is a popular North Indian curry dish made with soft paneer (Indian cottage cheese) and smooth creamy spinach puree that is infused with spices . It can be served with Naan/Roti/Chapati or even Rice.

Recipe: Shweta In The Kitchen

Palak Paneer

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (28)

This chana masala from Smitten Kitchen is made up of perfectly spiced chickpeas in a tomato based sauce.

Recipe: Olive & Mango

Creamy Chana Masala

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (29)

This Hyderabadi style Chicken Biryani recipe will guide you to make the most flavorful, fragrant biryani at home.

Recipe: My Food Story

Chicken Biryani

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (30)

Indian Cabbage Curry recipe is so easy and quick to make with simple ingredients – cabbage, tomato and basic Indian spices.

Recipe: J Cooking Odyssey

Cabbage Curry

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (31)

This delicious homemade Punjabi Rajma Masala has an irresistible melt in the mouth texture. Get the authentic rajma experience!

Recipe: J Cooking Odyssey

Rajma Masala

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (32)

Follow this easy recipe to make Aloo Tamatar ki Sabzi made with potatoes, tomatoes and spices. Try North India’s traditional potato and tomato curry.

Recipe: J Cooking Odyssey

Potato Tomato Curry (Aloo Tamatar Ki Sabji)

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (33)

Love Rogan Josh? Take a look at my lamb Rogan Josh recipe to recreate this takeaway favourite at home. Slimming friendly version included!

Recipe: Super Golden Bakes

Rogan Josh

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (34)

Vegan Brussels Sprouts Kormais the stuff dreams are made off! Now that Brussels Sprouts are in season make this delectable Indian Korma Curry at home – ready in under 40 minutes.Serve with hot and steamyrice, quinoa or cauliflower rice.

Recipe: J Cooking Odyssey

Brussels Sprouts Korma

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (35)

An easy-to-follow Fish Curry (Fish Masala) made with an onion-tomato masala and simple spices.. Tender yet crispy fish in a flavorful curry!

Recipe: Tea For Turmeric

Fish Curry (Fish Masala)

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (36)

Making masoor dal (authentic red lentil curry) at home is SO much easier than you think. This is a favorite recipe that’s loved by everyone who tries it.

Recipe: Tea For Turmeric

Masoor Dal

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (37)

Restaurant-Style Matar Paneer is an Indian vegetarian curry with cubes of paneer cheese & green peas. A delicious recipe for Matar Paneer that you'll come back to again and again!

Recipe: Sanjana Feasts

Matar Paneer

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (38)

This secretly healthy vegan pav bhaji recipe is a delicious curry packed with so many veggies! This recipe is healthier than most because there’s not much oil/vegan butter used! And there are more veggies hidden in it compared to other Pav Bhajis.

Recipe: Cooking with Parita

Pav Bhaji

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (39)

Ground Beef Keema Curry with peas and potatoes is an easy, restaurant quality Indian dish. It’s kid friendly and perfect for beginners!

Recipe: Our Salty Kitchen

Keema Curry (Ground Beef Curry)

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (40)

Smoky charred eggplant mashed with Indian spices is the best way to eat eggplant. Guaranteed to make you fall in love with eggplant!

Recipe: Rainbow Plant Life

Baingan Bharta

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (41)

Salmon and pineapple rubbed with homemade dry tandoori masala and grilled on high heat. Easy to make and taste amazing for any meal.

Recipe: Sinfully Spicy

Tandoori Salmon Tikka

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (42)

Restaurant style Dal Tadka. This dal tadka recipe has a great hearty flavors of lentils and ghee tempering. Quick and easy meal in 30 minutes.

Recipe: Feast with Safiya

Dal Tadka

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (43)

Moong Dal Khichdi is an easy dish made with rice, lentils, and spices. It’s ready in under 30 minutes and is arguably India’s most classic, hearty dish.

Recipe: Masala and Chai

Masala Moong Dal Khichdi

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 sweetRieslingor a floralRosé.
  • A crispPinot GrigioorSauvignon Blancalso pair well with the spicy, savory flavors.

More Indian Inspired Recipes

  • Indian Soups
  • Indian Appetizers
  • Indian Side Dishes
  • Indian Chicken Recipes
  • Vegetarian Indian Recipes
  • Indian Desserts

Did you Make Any of These Healthy 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 onInstagramusing the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

HUNGRY FOR MORE?For more great Platings & Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me onPinterest,TikTok,Facebook,YouTubeandTwitter.

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (44)

40+ Healthy Indian Dishes to Try

Here are 40+ delicious and healthy Indian recipes to try for lunch or dinner! From Tandoori Chicken, to Dal, and so much more! Try these Curried Chicken Skewers with Lime.

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Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Marinade Time: 4 hours hours

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Created by Platings and Pairings

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients (except chicken) in a small bowl. Stir well to combine.

  • Add chicken to a large ziploc bag and pour the marinade over the chicken.

  • Let marinate for at least 4 hours (or overnight)

  • Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Arrange chicken skewers in a single layer and cook, rotating occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink in the center, about 10 minutes.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Nutrition

Calories: 341kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 757mg | Potassium: 313mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 135IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 2mg

40+ Healthy Indian Recipes to Try (2024)

FAQs

What are the best Indian foods to try? ›

The most popular and best dishes you should try in India
  • Famous curry. It is considered the national soul of Indian cuisine, the popularity of the famous curry is similar to that of Korean kimchi or Japanese sushi. ...
  • Pani Puri. ...
  • Dosa Spring Roll. ...
  • Chaat - India's most famous street dish. ...
  • Indian Street Dish - Naan Flour Bread.

What is one of the most important ingredients in Indian cuisine? ›

Turmeric is an essential ingredient throughout India, used extensively in dals and meat, seafood and vegetable dishes, to impart its characteristic vibrant yellow color and mellow, warm flavor.

What Indian dish is good for diabetics? ›

Now, let's explore some diabetes-friendly Indian dishes:
  • Tandoori Chicken: This dish features marinated and grilled chicken, seasoned with yogurt and spices. ...
  • Chana Masala: A flavorful chickpea curry made with spices, tomatoes, and onions. ...
  • Saag (Spinach) Curry: ...
  • Grilled Fish: ...
  • Vegetable Biryani: ...
  • Raita:
Jul 5, 2022

What is a good Indian dish to try for the first time? ›

Which dishes are best for beginners?
  • Chicken tikka masala: chicken cooked in a spicy tomato sauce flavored with masala spices.
  • Daal tadka: yellow lentil soup flavored with garlic and ginger.
  • Lamb vindaloo: a hot lamb curry made with lots of chili peppers (spicy food-lovers only)
Sep 20, 2022

What Indian dish should I try first? ›

Butter Chicken

It has a creamy texture, precisely the first thing you crave when trying Indian cuisine. Whether you're in India or planning on trying Indian cuisine, butter chicken is a must!

What is the number 1 healthiest food in India? ›

1. Pulses and legumes: Pulses and legumes, such as lentils, chickpeas, and beans, are a staple of Indian cuisine. They are an excellent source of protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates. Pulses and legumes can also help to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

What is the most eaten dish in India? ›

The most consumed item in India is RICE. The rice is mostly consumed in the States of West Bengal,Oddesha, Andhrapradesh, Telangana, Tamilanadu, Kerala,. Karnataka. And in Northern States of India Rice is consumed in the shape of Biryani.

What are the top 5 Indian dishes? ›

Here are few such popular Indian dishes that has made their mark all across the globe:
  1. Chicken Tikka Masala. This delicious charcoal burnt, clay oven-cooked chicken was firstly cooked in Lahore. ...
  2. Murg Makhni (Butter chicken) ...
  3. Tandoori Chicken. ...
  4. Biryani. ...
  5. Dal Makhni. ...
  6. Samosa. ...
  7. Chaat. ...
  8. Pani puri.
Sep 18, 2019

What is the secret ingredient in Indian food? ›

Asafoetida is the most simultaneously misunderstood and sublime ingredient in Indian cuisine. It is essentially a gum resin extracted from ferula, an herb in the celery family.

What is the best breakfast for a diabetic to eat Indian? ›

Oats is the superfood for diabetics. Fibre-rich, high in nutritional value and with a low glycemic index, Oats can be eaten boiled with milk and with vegetables. Oats dosas, idlis and pancakes work well with the Indian palate. Eating them regularly has known to decrease insulin resistance in diabetics.

Which Dal is best for diabetes? ›

Green gram dal – 'Moong dal' is the one which benefits patients with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and hypothyroidism. So its a good option to control metabolic syndrome. Also it has a glycemic index of 43. It can also be sprouted to increase its vitamin C content.

What foods to avoid with diabetes in Indians? ›

When following an Indian diet plan for diabetes, it's essential to avoid or limit the following foods[5]:
  • Sugary foods like pastries, candies, and soft drinks.
  • Fried and high-fat foods like samosas, pakoras, and buttery curries.
  • Processed and canned foods high in salt and sugar.
  • Red meat and full-fat dairy products.

What is India's most ordered food? ›

Biryani was the most-ordered dish for the eighth year in a row on Swiggy too, according to the food delivery platform's year-ender report released recently. India ordered 2.5 biryanis per second in 2023.

What Indian dishes do Americans like? ›

Top 10 Must-Try Indian Foods That Americans Love to Savor
  • Samosas. These potato-stuffed triangles are a huge favorite among Indians…and now, Americans too. ...
  • Tandoori Chicken. ...
  • Paneer Tikka. ...
  • Chicken Tikka Masala. ...
  • Biriyani. ...
  • Vindaloo. ...
  • Butter Naan. ...
  • Kadhai Paneer.
May 23, 2022

What is the best curry to try first time? ›

Try the simplest first:
  • Dal (which is not a curry, but will take away the fear of spices and spicy food)
  • Aloo ki sabzi a.k.a. Potato Curry with a thin gravy.
  • Rajma Masala or Kidney beans.
  • Chana Masala or Chickpea (Garbanzo beans) curry.
  • Chicken Curry.
Mar 22, 2020

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