Iffa Chicken Recipe | Healthy Low-Fat Chicken Curry with White Sauce

We often love trying recipes gaining popularity on social media and this time it is Dubai-styled iffa chicken that is leaving everyone drooling. The dish is getting popular and emerged a favourite of many for its unique creamy texture, flavours, stunning aroma, and hassle-free cooking method. Several chefs have been recreating the dish globally and sharing their own versions on social media.

Chef and digital nutiritionist Aathira Sethumadhavan who shared the dish on Instagram said, "Such an easy recipe with basic household staples but the result is just so APPETISING! Perfect for any meal of the week because it’s basically macro friendly comfort food. 🔥”

Iffa Chicken Recipe (Serves 3)

A flavorful fusion dish where marinated chicken meets a creamy white sauce, perfect with millet rotis, red rice, or sautéed vegetables. 

Ingredients

For the Marinade

• 543g boneless chicken thighs or breast

• 100g whisked low-fat curd (½ cup + 1½ tbsp)

• 1 tbsp Kashmiri chili powder

• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste

• ¼ tsp turmeric powder

• 1 tbsp coriander powder

• ½ tbsp pepper powder

• ½ tbsp garam masala

• 1 tbsp vinegar

• Salt to taste

For the White Sauce

• 2 boiled egg whites

• 25g low-fat cheese slices (≈1¼ slices)

• 60ml skim milk (¼ cup + 1 tbsp)

• 1 tbsp vinegar

• 2 garlic cloves

• Pinch of salt

• ½ tbsp sugar (optional)

For Cooking

• 1 tbsp oil spray (≈5g)

• Chopped coriander leaves for garnish

Method

1. Marinate the chicken

   • Mix curd, ginger-garlic paste, chili powder, coriander, turmeric, pepper, garam masala, vinegar, and salt.

   • Coat chicken thoroughly and marinate for 1 hour or overnight for deeper flavor.

2. Prepare the white sauce

   • Blend egg whites, cheese, skim milk, vinegar, garlic, salt, and sugar.

   • Process until smooth, creamy, and tangy. Set aside.

3. Cook the chicken

   • Heat a nonstick pan, spray with oil.

   • Cook chicken on medium-high heat for 4–5 minutes per side until golden.

   • Lower heat, cover, and simmer for another 4–5 minutes until masala thickens.

4. Add the white sauce

   • Pour sauce evenly over chicken.

   • Cover and cook on low heat for 2–3 minutes until sauce coats and thickens.

5. Finish & Serve

   • Garnish with coriander leaves.

   • Serve hot with millet rotis, red rice, or sautéed vegetables.