- 1
Preparing flavourful chicken curry starts with cleaning and cutting into medium pieces 1 kg of chicken.
- 2
Cutting the chicken into uniform pieces will help in evenly cooking those and open them to spices for the penetration into meat for flavours throughout.
- 3
Now, to make the base of your curry, take 2 onions, 2 tomatoes, 6 cloves of garlic, and a small piece of ginger about 1-inch long and blend them in a grinder. This paste forms the very base of your curry, lending it that depth of taste and giving it a well-rounded flavour profile.
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In a large pan, heat 4 tbsp of oil on medium heat. Add 1 tsp of cumin seeds to that once the oil has heated up.
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Let the cumin seeds splutter. It bursts into tiny crackles, releasing the essential oils; hence, it sends a nutty fragrance into the oil, setting the flag for a flavourful curry to come.
- 6
Add the onion-tomato paste to this pan. Stir and then let cook till it turns brown, stirring occasionally. The goal is to cook it until the oil begins to separate from the paste, meaning it is cooked well and the flavours are starting to develop.
- 7
Now, add your spices: 1 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp red chilli powder, 2 tsp coriander powder, and 1 tsp garam masala in this pan. Roast the spices over medium fire for 2 to 3 min, stirring continuously, as this step is for the toasting of spices to improve their flavours and allow them to mix well in the paste.
- 8
Add the chicken pieces to the pan, stirring well to ensure that each piece is amply coated with the spiced paste. Cook on for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. This initial cooking seals the chicken and sees to it that it does not remain pink, thus enabling the spices to meld with the meat.
- 9
Add 1 cup of water to the pan and mix well in the curry mixture. Let it boil, and then simmer. Cover the pan and cook for 20-25 minutes. This simmering allows for cooking of the chicken well and tenderising, as the flavours of the curry go deep inside the meat.
- 10
When the chicken is tender and cooked, taste for seasoning and adjust the salt to your liking. Garnish your chicken curry with freshly chopped coriander leaves for freshness, a lively feel, and an added flavour layer.
- 11
Now your chicken curry is ready. Serve it hot with a steaming portion of rice, naan bread, or any other of your favourite accompaniments to make it a memorable and filling meal.