Chicken Curry – Indian Style

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Place 750g chicken in a bowl. Add some salt, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 1 1/2 tsp ginger garlic paste, 3 tbsp curd, and 1/2 tsp pepper powder. Then add 1 tbsp of store-bought ready chicken masala powder and 1 tbsp lime juice. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until the chicken is well coated. Set aside to marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Step 2: Add Tomatoes and Chili Powder to Marinade

After the marination period, add 2 tbsp oil, 2 big chopped tomatoes, and 1 tbsp chili powder to the marinated chicken. Give it a good mix to combine all ingredients.

Step 3: Prepare the Base for the Curry

In a large pot, heat some oil. Add 1 tbsp chopped garlic and sauté for a few seconds until fragrant. Then add the whole spices: 2 small cinnamon sticks, 3-4 green cardamom, 3-4 cloves, 1-2 star petals, and 7-8 peppercorns. Sauté for a few more seconds.

Step 4: Sauté Onions

Add 2 thinly sliced onions to the pot. Fry the onions, stirring occasionally, until they turn golden brown, which will take several minutes.

Step 5: Cook the Marinated Chicken

Once the onions are golden brown, add the marinated chicken mixture to the pot. Mix well with the sautéed onions and spices. Simmer the chicken on low to medium heat for 1-2 minutes.

Step 6: Add Water and Curry Leaves

Pour 1 cup of water into the chicken mixture and mix well. Sprinkle some curry leaves over the chicken. Cover the pot and cook on low to medium heat for 5-6 minutes.

Step 7: Continue Cooking

After 5-6 minutes, uncover the pot and give the curry a good mix. Cover it again and continue to cook on low heat for another 10 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook thoroughly and absorb the flavors.

Step 8: Finish and Garnish

Once the chicken is cooked well, uncover the pot. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp garam masala and 1 tbsp kasoori methi over the curry. Finally, add 3 tbsp of chopped coriander leaves. Mix everything well and turn off the heat.

Step 9: Serve

The chicken curry is now ready to be served hot with rice or bread.

• Marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes (or up to an hour) helps tenderize the meat and infuse flavors.

• Ensure onions are fried until golden brown for a rich base flavor.

• Adjust chili powder to your preferred spice level.

• Add potatoes or other vegetables for a more wholesome curry.

• For a creamier texture, add a splash of coconut milk towards the end of cooking.

• Garnish with ginger juliennes for an added flavor and aesthetic.