Did you know that chicken was not always a common food in India? Today, people across the country love eating chicken, but its journey into Indian kitchens is quite interesting!

Thousands of years ago, during the Indus Valley Civilization (around 2500 BCE), people in India first domesticated the red jungle fowl, a wild bird found in Southeast Asia. However, back then, chickens were mostly used for religious rituals and not for eating.

The real change happened when foreign cultures like the Persians, Greeks, and later the Mughals arrived in India. The Mughals, famous for their royal feasts, introduced rich and flavorful chicken dishes.

They made delicious recipes like Murgh Musallam (whole roasted chicken) and spicy chicken gravies, which soon became popular among Indians.

Chicken became even more common in India in the 20th century when cities grew and poultry farming increased. This made chicken affordable and easily available.

Famous dishes like Tandoori Chicken, first made in Punjab, became popular all over the world.

Today, every region in India has its own special chicken dish, whether it's Butter Chicken in Delhi or Chettinad Chicken in Tamil Nadu.

From being a sacred animal to becoming a favorite meal, chicken's journey in India is full of history and flavor. And with new recipes being created every day, its story is far from over!