Authentic Chicken Bhuna Masala

Chicken Bhuna Masala, a classic dish bursting with rich flavours and vibrant spices. This recipe is sure to become a favourite at your table.

Chicken Bhuna Masala is a beloved South Asian dish known for its deep, complex flavours. The term “bhuna” refers to the method of frying the meat with spices to build a rich, thick sauce. This dish is perfect for a quick and flavourful meal that can be served with warm naan or fragrant basmati rice.

Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder
• 1 tbsp fine sea salt
• 1 tbsp dhania jeera (coriander-cumin powder)
• 1/4 tsp aniseed powder
• 2 tbsp garam masala
• 1 tbsp garlic paste
• 1 tbsp ginger paste

For the Sauce:

• 1/4 cup oil
• 2 finely chopped onions
• 2 green chilis with slits
• 2 finely chopped tomatoes
• Fresh kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
• Freshly chopped coriander

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken:
   • In a bowl, combine turmeric powder, red chili powder, Kashmiri red chili powder, fine sea salt, dhania jeera, aniseed powder, garam masala, garlic paste, and ginger paste.
   • Add the chicken pieces and mix thoroughly, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Marinate while you prepare the onions and tomatoes.
2. Prepare the Onions and Tomatoes:
   • In a high-heated pan, add oil. Once hot, add finely chopped onions.
   • Fry the onions until translucent and just beginning to caramelize, about 10 minutes. Stir often to prevent burning.
   • Halfway through, add green chilis with slits to impart their gentle heat. For a milder flavour, remove the seeds.
3. Cook the Tomatoes:
   • Once the onions are golden, add finely chopped tomatoes.
   • Fry the tomatoes with the onions for about 5 minutes until softened and melded together.
4. Add and Fry the Chicken:
   • Add the marinated chicken to the pan, scraping in all the marinade. Fry the chicken with the tomatoes and onions continuously for 15 minutes.
   • Periodically cover the pan with a lid and reduce the heat to medium to ensure even cooking. Repeat this process about 4 times. Total cooking time may vary; chicken breast may take about 10 minutes.
5. Finish the Dish:
   • Once the chicken is cooked, the oil will rise to the top, indicating it’s done. Sprinkle fresh kasuri methi and a generous amount of freshly chopped coriander.

Final Steps:

• Serve the Chicken Bhuna Masala with warm naan or fragrant basmati rice. The stunning colour and divine aroma make this dish a perfect choice for any meal.

Tips:

• For deeper flavour, marinate the chicken for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
• Adjust the number of green chilis based on your preferred level of heat.
• Use a heavy-bottomed pan to ensure even heat distribution and prevent burning.

Authentic Chicken Bhuna Masala

Chicken Bhuna Masala is a beloved South Asian dish known for its deep, complex flavours. The term "bhuna" refers to the method of frying the meat with spices to build a rich, thick sauce. This dish is perfect for a quick and flavourful meal that can be served with warm naan or fragrant basmati rice.

Author: Burmawala Kitchen Cooking Method: Curry Cuisine: Indian, Pakistani Courses: Dinner, Lunch Recipe Keys: High Protein Non Vegetarian

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Cook Time 30 mins Total Time 30 mins Difficulty: Beginner Servings: 6 Estimated Cost: $ 8 Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Ingredients

Servings

For the Chicken:

• 1 Chicken (cut into pieces)
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder
• 1 tbsp fine sea salt
• 1 tbsp dhania jeera (coriander-cumin powder)
• ¹⁄₄ tsp aniseed powder
• 2 tbsp garam masala
• 1 tbsp garlic paste
• 1 tbsp ginger paste

For the Sauce:

• ¹⁄₄ cup oil
• 2 onions (finely chopped)
• 2 green chilis with slits
• 2 chopped tomatoes (finely chopped)
• Fresh kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
• Freshly chopped coriander

Instructions

Video ON

Marinate the Chicken:

1. In a bowl, combine turmeric powder, red chili powder, Kashmiri red chili powder, fine sea salt, dhania jeera, aniseed powder, garam masala, garlic paste, and ginger paste.
2. Add the chicken pieces and mix thoroughly, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Marinate while you prepare the onions and tomatoes.

Prepare the Onions and Tomatoes:

1. In a high-heated pan, add oil. Once hot, add finely chopped onions.
2. Fry the onions until translucent and just beginning to caramelize, about 10 minutes. Stir often to prevent burning.
3. Halfway through, add green chilis with slits to impart their gentle heat. For a milder flavour, remove the seeds.

Cook the Tomatoes:

1. Once the onions are golden, add finely chopped tomatoes.
2. Fry the tomatoes with the onions for about 5 minutes until softened and melded together.

Add and Fry the Chicken:

1. Add the marinated chicken to the pan, scraping in all the marinade. Fry the chicken with the tomatoes and onions continuously for 15 minutes.
2. Periodically cover the pan with a lid and reduce the heat to medium to ensure even cooking. Repeat this process about 4 times. Total cooking time may vary; chicken breast may take about 10 minutes.

Finish the Dish:

1. Once the chicken is cooked, the oil will rise to the top, indicating it's done. Sprinkle fresh kasuri methi and a generous amount of freshly chopped coriander.

Final Steps:

1. Serve the Chicken Bhuna Masala with warm naan or fragrant basmati rice. The stunning colour and divine aroma make this dish a perfect choice for any meal.
   

Note

For deeper flavour, marinate the chicken for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator.

Adjust the number of green chilis based on your preferred level of heat.

Use a heavy-bottomed pan to ensure even heat distribution and prevent burning.

Keywords: Chicken Bhuna, Chicken Bhuna Recipe, recipe for bhuna chicken, chicken tikka bhuna