Old Delhi’s Chicken Stew

It’s said that nihari, a traditional slow-cooked stew, originated in Delhi during the Mughal era in possibly the 17th or early 18th century. Originally created in the kitchens of the Nawabs, Muslim rulers of Delhi, this dish was designed as a nutritious morning meal for the royal family after their morning prayers. The word “nihari” comes from the Arabic word nahaar, meaning “morning”. Over the years, nihari evolved into a beloved dish among the masses and the Mughal army.

Tradition