Planning food for a wedding, birthday, corporate event, family gathering, or special celebration can be challenging when guests have different tastes. So, what should you order for Pakistani catering?
A well-planned Pakistani catering menu usually combines appetizers, grilled meats, rice, curry or karahi, vegetarian options, bread, sides, and dessert. The goal is not simply to order more dishes. Instead, choose items that complement one another and give guests enough variety without making the buffet repetitive.
At Shahi Nihari & Chopsticks, guests can explore Pakistani, Indian, BBQ, and other menu selections for different types of gatherings. If you are planning an event in Villa Park or Chicago’s western suburbs, here are 15 Pakistani dishes to consider for catering.
What Should a Pakistani Catering Menu Include?
For most parties, a balanced catering menu should include dishes from several categories. Start with an appetizer, add one or two proteins, choose a rice dish, include a curry or karahi, provide a vegetarian option, and complete the meal with naan, salad, raita, chutney, and dessert.
The exact combination depends on your guest count, event style, budget, dietary preferences, and how much variety you want to offer.
1. Chicken Biryani
Chicken Biryani is one of the easiest dishes to include when planning a Pakistani party menu. Aromatic rice, chicken, and spices create a dish that can serve as one of the main components of a buffet.
It also pairs naturally with raita, salad, kebabs, and chicken entrées.
If biryani is an important part of your event menu, read our Best Biryani in Chicago guide to learn more.
2. Mutton Biryani
For events where you want another meat option, Mutton Biryani can provide a richer alternative to chicken biryani.
It works particularly well for celebrations and larger South Asian gatherings where guests expect a substantial rice entrée.
Check the current catering selections when planning your event because menu availability can vary.
3. Chicken Karahi
Chicken Karahi is an excellent choice for guests who enjoy a flavorful Pakistani main course.
Karahi focuses on bold seasoning and a concentrated sauce that pairs especially well with naan. On a buffet, it also provides a useful contrast to rice-based dishes such as biryani.
If you are unfamiliar with Pakistani cooking styles, our Karahi vs Handi guide explains the differences.
4. Mutton Karahi
Mutton Karahi can give a party menu another rich meat entrée.
Rather than choosing several similar chicken dishes, hosts can use mutton as a second protein to create more variety for guests.
Serve it with naan and appropriate sides for a traditional South Asian-style meal.
5. Nihari
For a distinctly Pakistani option, consider Nihari.
Nihari features tender meat and deeply seasoned gravy. It provides a completely different eating experience from grilled BBQ, kebabs, and biryani.
Because Nihari has a rich flavor profile, it can work especially well when the rest of the menu contains contrasting grilled and rice dishes.
First-time diners can learn more in our What Is Nihari? guide.
6. Chicken Tikka
Chicken Tikka adds grilled flavor to a Pakistani catering buffet and can work as an appetizer or part of the main meal.
It pairs easily with naan, chutney, salad, rice, and other BBQ selections, which makes it useful when designing a menu for a mixed group.
7. Chicken Malai Boti
Chicken Malai Boti is worth considering when your guest list includes people who prefer a softer, creamier flavor profile.
It also creates contrast when served beside more strongly seasoned BBQ dishes.
For a larger party, pairing Chicken Malai Boti with another kebab or tikka gives guests more than one grilled option.
8. Beef Seekh Kebab
Beef Seekh Kebab adds another protein and texture to a catering spread.
Seasoned minced beef cooked in kebab form works well with naan, chutney, salad, and rice. Seekh Kebab can also be easy for guests to portion from a buffet.
9. Behari Kebab
Behari Kebab is another flavorful BBQ selection for guests who enjoy seasoned beef.
Including Behari Kebab alongside chicken BBQ gives the buffet greater variety without requiring another curry-style entrée.
You can learn more about Pakistani grilling styles in our Pakistani BBQ vs Indian Tandoori guide.
10. Reshmi Kebab
Reshmi Kebab offers a softer kebab option and can complement stronger BBQ flavors.
For parties with guests who have different spice preferences, combining a milder-style item with bolder dishes can make the overall menu more approachable.
11. Chicken Handi
Chicken Handi is another useful main-course option for a Pakistani catering menu.
Its gravy-based style creates a contrast with dry grilled meats and rice dishes. That variety matters when you are building a buffet rather than serving only one type of food.
Serve it with naan so guests can enjoy the gravy as part of the meal.
12. Chana Masala
Every catering menu should consider guests who prefer meatless choices. Chana Masala adds chickpeas, spices, and a different texture to the buffet.
It pairs with both rice and naan and can also complement meat entrées rather than functioning only as a vegetarian alternative.
13. Naan
Naan may look like a simple side, but it plays an important role in a Pakistani catering menu.
Guests can pair naan with Nihari, karahi, Handi, kebabs, and other gravy-based dishes. If several of your main courses contain sauces or gravies, make sure you plan enough bread for the group.
14. Raita, Salad & Chutney
Do not overlook the sides when planning catering.
Raita, salad, and chutney help create contrast alongside biryani, BBQ, and richer entrées. They also give guests an easy way to customize each plate.
These sides can make a buffet feel more complete without adding another heavy entrée.
15. Dessert
Finish the meal with dessert.
A sweet ending creates a more complete catering experience, particularly for weddings, birthdays, family celebrations, and corporate events.
Ask about the current dessert choices when building your catering menu because availability may vary.
What Is the Best Pakistani Catering Menu for a Party?
There is no single menu that works for every event. However, a practical party menu might include:
- One appetizer
- Chicken Tikka or Chicken Malai Boti
- Beef Seekh Kebab or Behari Kebab
- Chicken or Mutton Biryani
- Chicken Karahi or Chicken Handi
- Chana Masala or another vegetarian entrée
- Naan
- Salad, raita, and chutney
- Dessert
This structure provides rice, BBQ, curry, bread, vegetarian food, sides, and something sweet without filling the buffet with dishes that taste too similar.
What Should I Order for a Small Party?
For a smaller gathering, avoid ordering too many entrées. Instead, concentrate on variety.
For example, choose one grilled chicken item, one kebab, one biryani, one curry or karahi, a vegetarian dish, naan, sides, and dessert.
This gives guests choices while keeping the menu manageable.
What Should I Order for 50 Guests?
For around 50 guests, consider offering multiple categories rather than simply increasing the number of similar dishes. A menu could include one or two appetizers, two grilled items, biryani, one gravy-based entrée, one vegetarian entrée, naan, sides, and dessert.
Actual quantities depend on serving size, event duration, guest demographics, whether food is buffet-style, and whether additional dishes are being served. Ask the caterer to calculate quantities for your specific event instead of relying on a universal portion formula.
What Should I Order for 100 Guests?
For approximately 100 guests, menu balance becomes even more important. Offer enough variety for different preferences, but avoid creating a buffet with many nearly identical entrées.
A larger event may benefit from chicken and beef or mutton options, a rice dish, one or two gravy-based dishes, a vegetarian entrée, bread, sides, and dessert.
Discuss serving quantities, replenishment, setup, and service requirements with your caterer before finalizing the order.
What Pakistani Foods Are Good for a Wedding?
For weddings and formal celebrations, hosts often want a menu that offers several flavors and looks substantial on a buffet.
A combination of biryani, Pakistani BBQ, kebabs, karahi or Handi, naan, sides, and dessert can provide that variety.
The final selection should reflect your guest preferences, budget, event schedule, and serving style.
What Should I Order for Corporate Catering?
For corporate catering, prioritize food that is easy to portion and convenient to eat during an office lunch, meeting, training session, or company event.
Biryani, grilled chicken, kebabs, a vegetarian entrée, naan, and appropriate sides can create a practical group meal.
When ordering for an office, also consider delivery time, serving utensils, dietary requirements, packaging, and how long the food will sit before guests eat.
What Should I Order for Guests Who Don’t Eat Spicy Food?
Do not assume every Pakistani dish has the same heat level. Ask the catering team which current dishes are more suitable for guests who prefer milder food.
A menu can combine milder grilled selections with more strongly seasoned entrées so guests can choose according to preference.
Should I Order Biryani and Naan Together?
Yes, especially when your catering menu includes both rice-based and gravy-based dishes.
Guests can enjoy biryani as a rice entrée while using naan with Nihari, karahi, Handi, kebabs, and other selections. Offering both also gives diners more flexibility.
How Many Main Dishes Should I Order for a Party?
The ideal number depends on the size and format of the event. More dishes do not automatically create a better catering menu.
For many gatherings, choosing a smaller number of complementary entrées can create a more balanced buffet than ordering several dishes from the same category.
Your caterer should help determine quantities after considering the guest count, menu, service format, and event duration.
Where Can I Find Pakistani Catering in Villa Park, IL?
If you are searching for Pakistani catering in Villa Park, IL, Shahi Nihari & Chopsticks is located at 541 W North Ave, Villa Park, IL 60181.
The restaurant offers Pakistani and other South Asian menu selections and uses HFSAA Certified Halal meat.
For parties, corporate events, family gatherings, weddings, and other occasions, visit the Shahi Nihari & Chopsticks catering page to explore current catering options and discuss your event requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pakistani Catering
What should I order for Pakistani catering?
A balanced Pakistani catering menu can include biryani, grilled chicken, kebabs, karahi or Handi, a vegetarian entrée, naan, raita, salad, chutney, and dessert. Choose complementary dishes rather than several similar entrées.
What are the best Pakistani dishes for a party?
Popular party options can include Chicken Biryani, Mutton Biryani, Chicken Karahi, Nihari, Chicken Tikka, Chicken Malai Boti, Seekh Kebab, Behari Kebab, and other complementary sides and entrées.
Is biryani good for catering?
Yes. Biryani works well for group meals because it combines seasoned rice and meat in one substantial dish and pairs easily with raita, salad, BBQ, and other entrées.
What Pakistani food is good for a wedding?
A wedding menu can combine biryani, Pakistani BBQ, kebabs, karahi or Handi, vegetarian selections, naan, sides, and dessert. The exact menu should reflect the guest list and event style.
What should I order for corporate Pakistani catering?
For corporate catering, consider easy-to-serve foods such as biryani, grilled chicken, kebabs, a vegetarian entrée, naan, and sides. Also consider packaging, delivery timing, dietary requirements, and serving utensils.
How much catering food do I need for 50 guests?
The amount depends on portion sizes, number of dishes, event duration, serving format, and guest preferences. Ask the caterer to calculate quantities after you finalize the menu and guest count.
How much catering food do I need for 100 guests?
For 100 guests, plan quantities according to the number of entrées, sides, serving style, and event length. A caterer can calculate appropriate portions once the final menu and guest count are confirmed.
Should Pakistani catering include vegetarian food?
Including at least one vegetarian entrée can make the menu more flexible for a mixed group. Chana Masala is one option that also pairs well with rice and naan.
What sides go with Pakistani catering?
Naan, raita, salad, and chutney can complement biryani, BBQ, kebabs, Nihari, karahi, and other Pakistani entrées.
Where can I order Pakistani catering in Villa Park?
Shahi Nihari & Chopsticks is located at 541 W North Ave, Villa Park, IL 60181. Contact the restaurant or visit its catering page to discuss current catering options, availability, and event requirements.
Plan Your Pakistani Catering Menu
The best Pakistani catering menu gives guests variety without becoming unnecessarily complicated. Start with a rice dish, add grilled meat and a gravy-based entrée, include a vegetarian choice, and complete the meal with naan, sides, and dessert.
Whether you are planning an office lunch, birthday, wedding, family gathering, or another celebration, choose dishes according to your guest count and preferences rather than simply ordering the largest possible menu.
Explore catering from Shahi Nihari & Chopsticks for your next event in Villa Park and the surrounding Chicago suburbs.
