Boneless Chicken Masala

Boneless Chicken Masala is an Indian onion tomato based gravy dish which tastes excellent with both Rice or any Indian bread of your choice. With the adjustment of water consistency this dish can easily be transformed into a gravy dish but I prefer to prepare this dish slightly on the thicker side which not only helps coating the chicken but also to bring out the gravy flavor more with every bite. 

Now to the recipe.... 

Ingredients: 
For marination:
300 gms of boneless chicken washed & cut in cubes
1 & ½ tablespoon of curd (yogurt)
½ teaspoon ginger paste
½ teaspoon garlic paste
¼ teaspoon turmeric
½ teaspoon of red chilli powder (or to taste)
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
salt & black pepper to taste

For Gravy: 
2 bay leaves
1 green cardamom
2-3 cloves
4-5 whole black pepper seeds
¼ inch stick of cinnamon (or to taste)
small piece of mace (Javitri)
1 medium sized onion finely chopped
2 medium sized tomatoes finely chopped
1 teaspoon ginger paste
1 teaspoon garlic paste
¼ teaspoon turmeric
2 tablespoon of tomato paste
1 tablespoon of coriander powder
½ teaspoon of red chilli powder (or to taste)
½ teaspoon of cumin seeds powder 
¼ teaspoon of garam masala
some finely chopped coriander leaves for garnishing
2 tablespoon of oil for cooking

Method: 

Mix all the ingredients mentioned under "For marination" & mix well.  Marinate the chicken for 30-60 mins.

In a vessel heat the oil & once hot add bay leaves, green cardamom, cloves, black pepper seeds, cinnamon  & mace. Give a quick stir & then add the onions. Once the onions turn translucent pink add ginger garlic paste & cook till raw garlic smell disappears  Then add the tomatoes. Mix, cover & cook till the tomatoes turn soft

Add turmeric & salt, mix. Now add the tomato paste, red chilli powder, cumin seeds powder & coriander powder. Mix well & allow to cook till oil starts separating from the onion tomato masala mixture. Now add the chicken & mix really well. 

Add a cup of water, cover & cook till chicken is thoroughly cooked. Adjust the quantity of water depending on the consistency of gravy desired. Finally add the garam masala & coriander leaves & mix. 

That's it our Boneless Chicken Masala is ready, Serve it hot with Rice/Naan/Roti/Indian bread of your choice.

Happy Cooking!!
Shweta