A popular street food in India, Kheema or Keema Pav is a robust, peppery curry dish made with minced chicken or lamb cooked with onion, tomatoes, ginger, garlic and earthy spices! Served with lightly toasted buns or pav laden with butter or homemade ghee on the griddle makes a blissful meal!
My mom arrived last week from India, she is visiting me after a long time and I am SO excited to have her with us. With her high spirits and energy, she has already tried her hand on the Instant Pot that she has been hearing all about.
What is Kheema?
Also known as Keema or Queema, Kheema is a Urdu word for minced meat such as chicken, lamb, beef, etc. The word Kheema means ground meat and it also means a spicy curry made with ground chicken often served with paav which are similar to hamburger buns/potato rolls.
Variations for making and serving Kheema:
- Add 1/2 cup of green peas to the curry just before pressure cooking
- Add a peeled and diced potato and sauté it with the onions. This will give more thickness to the curry
- Add 1-2 spicy green chilies or one diced jalapeño for spicier kheema
- Substitute ground chicken with ground lamb, turkey or beef and follow the same recipe
- Serve as a chili topped with diced red onions, jalapeños, corn, cilantro and a squeeze of lime for a gluten-free option
- Want to add a more complex flavor to the dish, add a tablespoon of my mom’s homemade garam masala instead of my easy North Indian garam masala that the recipe calls for
PRO tip:
- When buying the rolls or buns to be served with Kheema, check the Sugar contents on the pack. As long as sugar is 2% or less the bread does not taste overly sweet and works well with Indian curries.
Step by step recipe for Kheema Paav in Instant Pot:
- Turn Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat oil. Add cumin seeds and toast them for 30 seconds. Add turmeric powder and mix well. Add ginger and garlic, mix well. Add a finely chopped onion and sauté it until it turns soft and translucent (photos 1 – 2).
- Add tomatoes, red chili powder, garam masala, salt and coriander powder. Mix well (photos 3 – 4).
- Add ground chicken and breaking it with a spatula. Add 1/2 cup of water (You can add 2 tablespoons of water for a thicker curry). Close Instant Pot with the pressure valve to sealing. Cook on Manual(Hi) for 4 mins followed by Natural Pressure Release (photos 5 – 6).
- Garnish with cilantro and serve hot with potato rolls or burger buns lightly toasted with some ghee on a griddle.
I am so excited to post my mom’s first recipe, Kheema Paav, on Ministry Of Curry!
I was very impatient and hungry (as usual) as I shot the video and honestly, the Kheema Pav was so full of flavor with heavenly aromas. The gorgeous orange hue from the Kashmiri red chili powder and turmeric, the warmth from the homemade garam masala and the earthy flavors from roasted coriander powder were spot on!
From the back of the camera as I shot this video it took me back to the fond memories of my childhood. Her waiting for the oil to heat up and then adding the cumin seeds, listening for the soft sizzle sound and a whiff from gently toasting them. Adding turmeric and roasting the spices at each step, soon filled up my kitchen with wonderful aromas.
Here is Mom’s easy Chicken Kheema recipe:
I always have a pack of ground chicken in my fridge. It comes in handy for busy weeknights to make one pot meals like the kheema pulav , spicy buffalo chili with chicken, Chicken Enchilada Casserole or the EASY chicken burgers.
Kheema Pav is my go-to recipe for a relaxed weekend brunch. I often serve it like sloppy joe’s on small buns topped with diced red onions and fresh cilantro. I also love to pair this spicy dish with the make-ahead french toast casserole as a sweet treat when hosting a brunch. Everyone loves it!
Also do check out my newest recipe on the blog, my all time favorite Mumbai Pav Bhaji which can classify as a vegetarian version of the kheema pav.
★ Have you tried this recipe? We love your feedback, Please click on the stars in the recipe card below to rate.
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 tablespoon garlic grated
- 1 tablespoon ginger grated
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- 2 tomatoes diced
- 2 to 3 teaspoons mild red chili powder We used Kashmiri Chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons coriander powder We lightly toasted the coriander seeds and then ground them
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/2 cup cilantro chopped for garnish
- To serve:
- 1 tablespoon butter or ghee
- 8 potato rolls
Turn Instant Pot to sauté(more) mode and heat oil. Add cumin seeds and toast them for 30 seconds. Add turmeric powder and mix well. Add ginger and garlic, mix well.
- Add onion and sauté for a minute. Cook covered for 2 minutes with a glass lid on.
- Add tomatoes, red chili powder, garam masala, salt and coriander powder. Mix well.
- Add ground chicken and breaking it with a spatula. Add 1/2 cup of water (You can add 2 tablespoons of water for a thicker curry, but I like the extra gravy to dip the bread).
- Close Instant Pot with the pressure valve to sealing. Cook on Manual(Hi) for 4 mins followed by Natural Pressure Release.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve hot with potato rolls or burger buns lightly toasted with some ghee on a griddle.
Recipe Video
Variations:
- Add 1/2 cup of green peas to the curry just before pressure cooking.
- Add a peeled and diced potato and sauté it with the onions. This will give more thickness to the curry.
- Add 1-2 spicy green chilies or one diced jalapeño for spicier kheema.
- Substitute ground chicken with ground lamb, turkey or beef and follow the same recipe.
- Serve as a chili topped with diced red onions, jalapeños, corn, cilantro and a squeeze of lime for a gluten-free option.
Tip:
- When buying the rolls or buns to be served with Kheema, check the Sugar contents on the pack. As long as sugar is 2% or less the bread does not taste overly sweet and works well with Indian curries.
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Author: Archana
Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
Sonali says
Am going to try to make it this week!
Archana says
Awesome! Let me know.
Freda @ Aromatic essence says
Looks scrumptious!
Archana says
Thank you Freda!!
VK Shah says
I made this last night but it did not look as good as your photo. Taste was good but I added too much vegetables so the curry was too thick. I’ll try again next week. Thanks for the recipe.
Archana says
What vegetables did you add?
VK Shah says
I added 1 large potato and frozen carrots and peas.
Archana says
Yes that is def a lot of vegetables. Increase the water next time. Also you can always adjust water in the end. Just warm up some water, add to IP and set IP to saute mode to bring the kheema to a gentle boil
annika says
Enjoy your time with your Mom, Archana! I’m keeping this recipe close by!
Archana says
Thank you Annika❤️❤️
Anu says
This was really delicious! Thank you for the recipe! I doubled the recipe and it worked fine in a 6 qt instant pot, if anyone else is wondering that. Also topped with a bit of red onion, cilantro and squeezed lime.
Archana says
Hi Anu! Thank you for your feedback. Good to know that doubling the recipe works well in a 2 QT instant pot. And I love topping with red onion, cilantro and lime too!
Jia says
If u double the recipe do u need to double the cook time as well?
Archana says
Same pressure cook time
Rose says
I just made this thanks for the recipe. Mine is not as red as yours – I used Kashmiri chili powder too
Archana says
Hi Rose! So glad you made this. I feel kashmiri chili powder based on the brand could also be bit different. I hope you enjoyed the taste!
Hina says
With beef keema, long with sound I put on manual for?
Archana says
Hi Hina, Although I have not tried with beef kheema, a few of my followers have tried with the same timings and it has worked. Let me know how it works out for you. Kheema flavors come out amazing in the Instant Pot!!
Leena says
Hi Archana! Your recipes are amazing!!! Question on this one – have you tried this with ground lamb? would cook time be the same?
Archana says
Hi Leena! Thank you! I have not tried this with ground lamb but a few of my readers have. Same cook time worked well for lamb too. Hope this helps.
Archana says
Hi! I am making this tonight. Is cook time same if I add a large potato and peas? How much water to add? Thank you!!
Archana says
Hi Archana! You can add potato and peas with same cook time and same water amount would suffice as peas have enough water contents. Let me know how it comes out.
Archana says
Hi! Turned out great! Did it for 6 minutes and added extra water as my family likes more gravy..and salt because of the potato. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Archana says
Hi Archana! Thank you for your feedback. Happy to hear that you enjoyed the flavors of this easy kheema recipe.
Masooma says
Can you advise how long I would need to cook for if I double the meat (2 lbs ground chicken)?
Archana says
Hi Masooma, only the sauté time for onions will increase. Pressure cooking time stays the same. Let me me know if you have any questions. You will love the flavors in this kheema!
Dawn says
Hi. If you double the recipe, would you also double the water to 1 cup? Thank you!
Archana says
Depends on if you would like the extra curry. I enjoy dipping bread in it. Otherwise you do not need to double it.
Masooma says
thank you so much! making this today 🙂
Archana says
You are welcome! Let me know how it comes out.
Harshita Rana says
Hi Archana… do you get ground chicken ? Or do it at home ? Sorry it may seem like silly question but I am fairly new to cooking non-veg. Thanks!
Archana says
Hey! It’s sold in grocery stores. Ask for ground chicken
Veena says
I finally started enjoying cooking….thanks to you and IP …your recipes have been foolproof…..don’t have to change a thing, just following every word and it has turned out good every single time…..Thanks a lot….you are an awesome cook!
Archana says
Thank you Veena for your lovely feedback. And you are100% right, the key is to follow the recipe exactly!
Monica Gupta says
Turned out delicious!!! Followed the recipe perfectly! Thank you for sharing
Archana says
You are welcome! Thank you for the feedback
Michelle says
Hi Archana. Do you use ground thigh or ground breast?
Archana says
Hi Michelle, I use both!
Jincy says
Made this last night! Turned out great! Yummy! Thank you
Archana says
Thank you Jincy!
ET says
I’ve now made this with ground chicken and ground turkey. Both are great.
My nine year old loves this recipe! He calls it “Indian Sloppy Joes.”
Archana says
Thank you! I am glad your nine year old enjoys this.
SB says
Made this today with regular chili powder instead of Kashmiri as hubby likes spicy. The family loved it. Thank you!
Archana says
So glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe. We have this on repeat in our house.
Soms says
Can I use frozen ground meat?
Archana says
Yes! Increase the cook time to 8 minutes.
Kalindi says
I made this tonight for dinner and my whole family loved it!! Thanks for sharing!! Definitely will be trying other recipes!
Archana says
Thank you for the feedback. This is a fav in my family too