Easy Chicken Bhuna Masala

Ingredients

• 500 g chicken
• 0.5 lemon juice (juice of half a lemon)
• 0.33 cup yoghurt
• 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
• salt (to taste)
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 0.5 tsp turmeric powder
• 1.5 tsp garam masala powder
• 2 tsp red chilli powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp chicken masala powder
• 2 dry red chillies
• 4.5 cloves garlic (4-5 cloves)
• 1.5 tsp fennel seeds
• 2 cinnamon sticks (small sticks)
• 2 onions (medium)
• 2 tomatoes (medium)
• 2 tsp ghee (for roasting masala)
• 2 tbsp oil
• 2.5 tbsp ghee (2-3 tbsp for cooking)
• caraway seeds
• curry leaves
• fresh coriander leaves (for garnish)

Steps

1. 1

   Heat 2 tsp of ghee in a pan. Add the dry red chillies, garlic cloves, fennel seeds, and cinnamon sticks. Roast until fragrant.

2. 2

   In a large bowl, combine the chicken, lemon juice, yoghurt, ginger garlic paste, salt, black pepper, coriander powder, turmeric powder, garam masala powder, red chilli powder, cumin powder, and chicken masala powder. Mix well to coat the chicken and set aside to marinate.

3. 3

   Add the sliced onions and tomatoes to the pan. Sauté until the onions are translucent and tomatoes have softened.

4. 4

   Allow the roasted mixture to cool slightly, then grind it into a smooth masala paste using a blender or food processor.

5. 5

   In a separate pan or the same pan cleaned, heat 2 tbsp of oil and 2-3 tbsp of ghee.

6. 6

   Add the caraway seeds and curry leaves to the hot oil and ghee. Let them sizzle.

7. 7

   Add the prepared roasted masala paste to the pan and cook for a few minutes until the oil starts to separate.

8. 8

   Add the marinated chicken to the pan. Cook on medium-high heat, stirring frequently (bhuna technique), until the chicken is fully cooked and the masala has thickened and coated the chicken pieces.

9. 9

   Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot.

Notes

This recipe uses the 'bhuna' technique, which involves frying the meat with spices in its own juices and added fat until a thick, flavorful sauce is formed.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• chicken
• indian
• bhuna
• spicy
• quick meal
• dinner