Chicken Masala recipe

 Chicken Masala is a popular Indian dish that features tender pieces of chicken cooked in a flavorful and aromatic spiced tomato-based gravy. It's a delightful and rich curry that pairs well with rice, naan, or other Indian bread. Here's a simple and delicious chicken masala recipe for you to try:

How to prepare.

Chicken Masala Recipe

Ingredients:

• ➤1.5 pounds (about 700g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• ➤2 large onions, finely chopped
• ➤3 ripe tomatoes, finely chopped
• ➤2 tablespoons vegetable oil or ghee (clarified butter)
• ➤1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste (or 1-inch ginger and 4-5 garlic cloves, minced)
• ➤1/2 cup plain yogurt (Greek yogurt works well too)
• ➤2 tablespoons tomato paste (optional, for extra depth of flavor)
• ➤1/2 cup water or chicken broth
• ➤1/4 cup chopped cilantro (coriander leaves) for garnish
• ➤Salt to taste

For the spice blend (masala):

• ➤1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• ➤1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• ➤1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• ➤1-inch cinnamon stick
• ➤4-5 green cardamom pods
• ➤4-5 cloves
• ➤4-5 dried red chili peppers (adjust according to your spice preference)
• ➤1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• ➤1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder (or any mild chili powder for color)
• ➤1 teaspoon garam masala (Indian spice blend)
• ➤1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
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Instructions:

1. 1. Dry roast the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, cinnamon stick, green cardamom pods, cloves, and dried red chili peppers in a pan over low heat until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the spices. Once roasted, let them cool, and then grind them into a fine powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.

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4. 2. In a large skillet or pot, heat the vegetable oil or ghee over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.

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7. 3. Add the ginger-garlic paste to the onions and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the raw smell disappears.

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10. 4. Stir in the finely chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft and the oil starts to separate from the mixture.

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13. 5. Add the ground spice blend (masala), turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chili powder, ground black pepper, and salt to the tomato-onion mixture. Mix well and cook for a couple of minutes to let the spices release their flavors.

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16. 6. Add the chicken pieces to the masala mixture and cook until the chicken is sealed and turns white on the outside.

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19. 7. Now, add the plain yogurt and tomato paste (if using) to the chicken. Stir everything together to coat the chicken pieces with the yogurt and tomato.

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22. 8. Pour in the water or chicken broth, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, and cover the pot with a lid. Let the chicken cook in the gravy over low to medium heat for about 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

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25. 9. Once the chicken is cooked, adjust the salt and spices according to your taste preferences. You can add more water or broth if you prefer a thinner consistency of the gravy.

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28. 10. Finally, sprinkle the garam masala over the chicken masala and stir it in to enhance the aroma and flavor.

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31. 11. Garnish the chicken masala with chopped cilantro (coriander leaves).

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Serve the delicious and aromatic Chicken Masala hot with steamed rice, naan, or any Indian bread of your choice. Enjoy the rich and flavorful experience of this classic Indian dish!