The upcoming week is going to be a very busy one for me. Not just because the Holy Week has officially begun today but also because I am expecting guests who will be with us to celebrate Easter this year. I am really looking forward to having family over. Although I had planned many posts for Easter I am hardly able to steal sometime to do full justice to them so I guess I will roll them out one by one after the extended festivities end. Hopefully this week I will post another couple of recipes before Maundy Thursday after which I will be super busy at home and at the church.
Today I suddenly decided to take the plunge and post a recipe before I go into hiberantion. I don’t have much to type as my mind is currently on the pile of unfinished chores waiting for me, so let me jump straight to the recipe. Since I love bookmarking chicken recipes this one has been on my to-do list for a while. However, I wasn’t really convinced whether the final result would be good enough to blog about but I was taken by surprise. Not only was this recipe different in its method it was damn delicious! The caramelised onions really added a unique flavour to the final dish. I only wish I had used spicier chillies but I guess if you stick to my recipe and the way I made it it is most suitable for people of all ages, especially little ones who can’t take a lot of spice
You could try making this dish as an appetizer with boneless meat but I personally think that meat on the bone always tastes the best, especially when it is fried and you get to spend enjoyable minutes munching on the bones. Anyway, you can still go ahead and make it with boneless meat. Serve it as an appetizer with toothpicks inserted into each chunk or as an accompaniment to alcoholic drinks or as a side dish to your meal – tastes amazing anyway!
If I am unable to post another recipe before Easter, please accept my wishes for a blessed Holy Week and a wonderful Easter!
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Chicken Masala Fry
A fiery and delicious dry chicken that serves as an appetizer or a side dish! This is sure to be a hit on your festive or everyday menu!
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Ingredients
- 1 kg chicken on the bone
- 2 big onions finely chopped
- 2-3 tablespoons ghee or oil
- a few drops of lime juice optional, if required only
- salt to taste
For the masala:
- 8-10 long dry red chillies deseeded if you wish (I used Kashmiri chillies and deseeded half of them)
- 7-8 peppercorns
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 ” stick of cinnamon or cassia bark
- 5 cloves
- 3 medium sized onions roughly chopped
- 1 marble sized ball of tamarind
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into medium sized pieces, wash and allow to drain (or pat dry). Apply salt to taste and keep aside till required
- Grind all the ingredients mentioned under ‘For the masala’ to a fine paste – to do this, first grind the dry ingredients (chillies, peppercorns, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon and cloves) to a fine powder using the chutney jar of your mixer grinder (if using). Then add the roughly chopped onions and tamarind and grind without adding any water – the moisture in the onions is sufficient to grind the mixture to a smooth, fine paste. If you must, add water sparingly (about 1-2 teaspoons at a time).
- Transfer the ground paste into a heavy based pan. Rinse the mixie jar with approx 1/2 – 3/4th cup of water and add this to the pan as well (you should get a thick masala and not a watery gravy as the chicken will release some stock as well). Add the chicken pieces, mix and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook until the chicken is tender and the masala has thickened up (enough to coat the pieces with a thick paste). Remove from heat and keep aside.
- In a wide, heavy based pan/kadhai/wok heat the ghee and fry the finely chopped onions until they turn golden brown (keep an eye out as they will burn quickly after this stage). Add the chicken pieces along with the thick gravy and fry on a medium high heat until the masala dries up and the colour changes to a deep red/maroon. Check taste and add the lime juice if required and also adjust the salt too if its required.
- Remove from heat and serve hot, garnished with chopped coriander if required. You can serve this chicken as a starter along with drinks (‘sakne’/’chakna’) or as an accompaniment to chapathis, dosa or rice
Disclaimer
The nutritional values are only indicative.
Tried this recipe?Please leave a comment & rate the recipe below or share a photo on Instagram and tag me @ruchikrandhap
Hi Shireen (not Ruchik ;-D) I would really love to try out this recipe, can you have a print preview option so we can copy and paste recipes? Thank you, I was hoping to make this for Easter Lunch, but I don't think it will be possible. Have a blessed Holy Week and Easter. I did send you a message earlier, but I know that you are busy with preparation for the feast. Thank you.
@ Kaleon: Sorry for the delayed response! For some reason I thought I had replied to your comment! I have disabled right click on my website but if you like you can select the text (recipe) and then press CTRL+C (to copy) and CTRL+V (to paste) to your word document
Hi Shireen I did try this recipe last night and i must say it was delicious. Followed the same recipe and turned out delicious.
Hey Shireen, this chicken masala fry is simply gorgeous. I had made it for my partner and he enjoyed it so much and of course me too. Thank you!
Thank you for the Great recipe…. Enjoyed it.
Thanks Daphne! Glad you liked it 🙂
Mouth watering
Thank you Surekha!
Looking awesome..I’ll definitely try this dish.
Thanks so much Rinku! I hope you enjoy it 🙂
Made this today and my family loved it!! Thanks Shireen 🙂
Thanks for the feedback Alka! So glad to know that your family loved it!
Ms Sequeira,
Thank you so very much for ruchikrandhap.com. I am sure you realise that for most of us that have gone to far away lands, that as each generation goes by, little of our traditions pass as well. I am a Mangalorean Catholic. You, are a credit to our culture and faith. Food carries with it intimate stories of a people and gosh you tell it so well. In each recipe you tell a story, a personal one that carries with it echoes of so many of our people. My Darling Mum and Dad moved to Perth, Australia 41 years ago and brought us up with the richness of our culture and food is the at the very soul of its beauty. Thank you so much. Take good care and God bless you and your family.
Dear Mr. Desouza,
Thank you for your wonderful note of appreciation! It gladdens my heart to read messages such as these. I am very happy that my personal stories and memories resonate with you and others who have left our land long ago. I am very humbled by your message and I hope to do my best in bringing our more of our culinary heritage and sharing it with others in the coming years too. Thank you and I hope you and your family are safe during these difficult times.
Regards,
Shireen Sequeira
Dear Shireen
Tried the above recipe today. My daughter enjoyed it.
Regards
Teena
Hi Teena,
Thank you so much for the feedback! Happy to hear that your daughter enjoyed it!