Punjabi Style Masala Fried Chicken

Directions

  1. 1Cut chicken thighs into small pieces.
  2. 2Squeeze half a lemon into the chicken, add turmeric and salt, then mix well and marinate.
  3. 3In a pan, add vegetable oil and butter, and let it melt on a medium to low flame.
  4. 4Add chopped onions to the hot oil and butter, stir, and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes on a medium flame.
  5. 5Continue cooking onions until they pick up some color and caramelize.
  6. 6Add chopped garlic and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes or until raw aromas have disappeared.
  7. 7Set the gas setting to the lowest, then add red chili powder, garam masala powder, coriander powder, cracked black peppercorns, kasuri methi leaves, and turmeric powder.
  8. 8Mix the spices and cook on a very low flame for about 30 to 40 seconds.
  9. 9Add chopped tomatoes, stir, and add some salt.
  10. 10Cook the tomatoes until they have softened and disintegrated in the sauce.
  11. 11Add a splash of warm water and continue cooking.
  12. 12Add the marinated chicken to the pan, stir, and pan roast to sear it from all sides.
  13. 13Once the chicken is nicely seared, add a splash of warm water.
  14. 14Set the gas setting to the lowest, cover the pan, and let the chicken simmer for about 5 to 6 minutes.
  15. 15Open the pan, stir, and cook the chicken without the lid for about 3 to 4 minutes.
  16. 16Add chopped green chilies, finely chopped coriander leaves, cold butter, and thinly sliced ginger.
  17. 17Stir everything in to combine.

Ingredients

  • 500 g chicken with or without bones
  • 0.5 lemon
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 5 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 50 g unsalted butter
  • 2 onion, finely chopped
  • 10 cloves peeled garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp peeled ginger, finely chopped
  • 2 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder
  • 2 tbsp coriander powder
  • 2 tbsp garam masala
  • 2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp cracked black peppercorns
  • 1 tsp dry fenugreek leaves (Kasoori Methi)
  • 4 tomatoes, finely chopped
  • 2 mild green chillies, finely sliced
  • 3 tbsp coriander leaves, chopped
  • 2 tbsp cold butter (optional)
  • sliced ginger
  • salt as required
  • warm water as required

Equipment

pan

Tips

  • Take enough time to fry the onions until they caramelize and get some color, as this is key in any Punjabi dish.
  • Cook spices on a very low flame for 30 to 40 seconds to prevent burning.
  • Sear the chicken from all sides to lock in juices.
  • Simmer the chicken on a very gentle flame to ensure tenderness.