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A very popular dish among Indians, keema is a delicious minced meat preparation that brings heartiness to the table.
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Although traditionally made with minced lamb or goat, this one is prepared with minced chicken, making it a comparatively lighter yet equally delicious dish.
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Keema is a versatile dish that can accompany any number of accompaniments like naan and rice and even as a filling for sandwiches.
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The recipe guides you step-wise about preparing such an alluring keema that is bound to impress your family and friends.
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First, heat two tablespoons of oil in a pan.
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The flavour of this dish might also depend on the choice of oil; mustard oil or ghee may provide a unique flavour.
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Add one finely chopped onion into it once the oil gets hot.
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You saut the onion until it attains a appetizing golden brown, which takes about 5-7 minutes.
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This caramelises the onion and brings forth that sweetness, hence providing a basis for your keema.
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Add one tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste to the pan.
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The paste gives an aromatic flavour to Indian cooking: rich, savoury, and very important.
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Now, cook the ginger-garlic paste for around 2 minutes. Stir the paste constantly at regular intervals so that it does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
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Cook until you are left with a fragrant base.
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After cooking the ginger-garlic paste well, add one finely chopped tomato to the pan.
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Stir well and cook till tomato mushes and becomes soft, which usually takes about 3-4 minutes.
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This process not only adds moisture to the dish but also contributes a tangy flavour that balances perfectly with the spices.
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Time to add the seasoning to keema.
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Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, and half a teaspoon of garam masala.
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Now, these are fundamental spices in Indian cooking. They add warmth, colour, and complexity to the dish.
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Allow the mixture to cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring from time to time.
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This lets the spices incorporate and combine into the onion-tomato mixture, which will give a fragrant base for the ground chicken.
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The spices blended well, it's now time to add the main attraction.
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Mix the ground chicken very well with the spices so that the chicken is evenly coated.
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Cook the chicken over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat changes colour and browns a bit.
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Browning the meat develops a deeper level of flavours and textures to the dish.
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Once the chicken has cooked down, add 1/2 cup of water to the pan.
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This will make a gravy for the keema.
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Season with salt to taste and combine everything.
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Cover and simmer for about 10-12 minutes. This covered cooking allows the chicken to cook completely while flavours also melt together.
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Check and stir gently so as not to have anything stick to the bottom.
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If it seems too dry, you can add a splash of more water.
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Once the oil separates, remove the pan from the heat.
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The keema should be tender, moist, and bursting with flavours, ready to be served.
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To add the finishing touches, garnish your keema with chopped coriander leaves; it adds colour, complementing the depth of the dish.
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Serve keema hot with warm naan, roti, or steaming rice for a comforting meal.