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Punjabi Style Chicken Masala
Chef Ajay Kumar's bold and unapologetically rich Punjabi chicken masala is a slow-cooked masterpiece that leans towards the dry side, allowing deep roasted flavors and warming spices to cling to every piece of chicken. This dhaba-style dish delivers intense, smoky, and satisfying bites packed with classic Indian spices, filling the room with aroma without requiring a heavy gravy.
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
- 10 garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp ginger
- 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
- 2 mild green chillies
- 3 tbsp coriander leaves
- 2 tbsp cold butter
- 1 ginger
- 1 salt
- 0.5 cup warm water
Instructions
- Marinate chicken with lemon juice, 1 tsp turmeric powder, and 0.5 tsp salt for at least 15 minutes.
- Heat vegetable oil and unsalted butter in a heavy-bottomed pan or kadai over medium-high heat.
- Add finely chopped onions and cook until golden brown and caramelized.
- Add finely chopped garlic and ginger, cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add Kashmiri red chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala, turmeric powder, and cracked black peppercorns. Stir well to combine spices.
- Add finely chopped tomatoes and cook until they break down and oil separates from the masala.
- Add the marinated chicken and cook on high heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring to coat with the masala.
- Add warm water as needed and reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
- Add dry fenugreek leaves (Kasoori Methi) and sliced green chillies.
- Cook uncovered for another 5-10 minutes until the gravy reduces and becomes thick and clingy to the chicken.
- Finish with chopped coriander leaves and optional cold butter for richness.
- Adjust salt to taste and serve hot.
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