Spicy Chicken Masala Curry Recipe

There are endless variations to the chicken curry and today’s chicken curry is prepared with the same basic ingredients as any normal chicken curry, the only other major ingredient is cashew nut paste. The spice level of the curry is high due to the use of black pepper and chili powder. But the blending of cashew nut paste with the spices offsets the spicy flavor of the curry and gives this dish its unmistakable, not-too-rich, subtly sweet, warm and spicy flavor.

Preparation & Cooking Time: 30-35 minutes
Serves 4-5 persons
Cuisine: South Indian
Ingredients:
Marinate:

• ½ kg chicken, washed and cut into medium sized pieces
• 3 tbsp curds
• 1 tsp red chili powder (adjust to suit your spice level)
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• Salt to taste

Make a paste:

• 6-7 cashew nuts
• 4-5 tbsps milk

Dry roast and make a fine powder:

• 1” cinnamon
• 10-12 curry leaves
• 3 cloves

Rest of the ingredients:

• 3-4 tbsps oil
• 2 big onions finely chopped
• 1 large tomato finely chopped
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 3/4 tsp black pepper powder (adjust to suit your spice level)
• ¼ tsp cumin powder

Coriander leaves for garnish

1. Marinate chicken pieces in chili powder, turmeric powder, curds and salt for 20 minutes.
2. While the chicken pieces are marinating, make a paste of cashew nuts and milk. Keep aside.
3. Dry roast cinnamons, cloves and curry leaves for 1 minute and make a powder of them. Keep aside.
4. Heat 1 1/2 tbsps of oil in a cooking vessel. Add the onions and sauté till pink. Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté further for another 3-4 minutes on medium heat.
5. Add coriander powder cumin powder, pepper powder and combine well and fry for another minute.
6. Add the tomatoes and let it cook for 3-4 minutes. Combine well and cook till oil separates. Turn off heat. Cool and grind the cooked masala. Keep aside this masala paste.
7. Heat 1 1/2 tbsps oil in a cooking vessel and add the marinated chicken and cook on high flame for 4-5 minutes, reduce heat and cook covered for another 4-5 minutes.
8. Add the ground masala paste, cashew nut paste and ground powder of cinnamon, cloves and curry leaves and combine well. (Add a cup of water for more gravy consistency).
9. Cook till chicken pieces are soft and you get the desired curry consistency. Adjust salt.
10. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.