Punjabi Style Chicken Masala (Masala Fried Chicken)
Tender chicken thigh pieces marinated with lemon, turmeric, and salt, then pan-roasted and simmered in a rustic Punjabi onion-tomato masala finished with butter, ginger, green chilies, and coriander.
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- •Chicken thighscut into small pieces
- •1/2 Lemonjuice
- •Turmeric powderused in marinade and in masala (amounts not specified)
- •Saltto taste; used in marinade and in masala
- •Vegetable oilfor cooking
- •Buttersome for cooking; cold butter to finish
- •Onionchopped
- •Garlicchopped
- •Gingerthinly sliced to finish; also mentioned as part of base
- •Red chili powder
- •Garam masala powder
- •Coriander powder
- •Black peppercornscracked
- •Kasuri methi leavesdried fenugreek leaves
- •Tomatoeschopped
- •Warm watersplashes as needed
- •Green chilieschopped
- •Coriander leavesfinely chopped
- 1
Cut chicken thighs into small pieces. Squeeze in half a lemon, add turmeric and salt, mix well, and marinate.
5 min
- 2
Heat a pan on medium-low. Add vegetable oil and butter and let the butter melt.
1 min
- 3
Add chopped onions and cook on medium heat for about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring, until they start to pick up some color (light caramelization).
3 min
- 4
Add chopped garlic and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes until the raw aroma disappears.
4 min
- 5
Lower the heat to the lowest setting. Add red chili powder, garam masala powder, coriander powder, cracked black peppercorns, kasuri methi leaves, and turmeric powder. Mix and cook the spices for 30 to 40 seconds on very low heat.
1 min
- 6
Add chopped tomatoes, stir, add salt, and cook until the tomatoes soften and disintegrate into the masala. Add a splash of warm water and continue cooking until a thick masala forms.
7 min
- 7
Add the marinated chicken to the pan. Stir and pan-roast/sear the chicken on all sides to lock in juices.
4 min
- 8
Add a splash of warm water, set heat to the lowest, cover, and simmer gently for about 5 to 6 minutes.
6 min
- 9
Uncover, stir, and cook without the lid for about 3 to 4 minutes until the chicken is cooked and well coated with masala.
4 min
- 10
Add chopped green chilies, finely chopped coriander leaves, cold butter, and thinly sliced ginger. Stir to combine and serve.
2 min
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