Homestyle Chicken Salan (Chicken Curry)

Ingredients

• 1.5-2 lb bone in chicken (or 1.5 lb boneless)
• 1/3 cup oil
• 1 small piece cinnamon stick
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 5-6 whole black peppers
• 2-3 laung (cloves)
• 3 diced onions (approx 350g)
• 2 diced tomatoes (between 210-220g)
• 1.5 tsp garlic paste
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• 1 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp kashmiri laal mirch ((optional, but gives great colour and a mild spice))
• 1 1/2 tsp coriander powder
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• chopped cilantro
• 2-3 sliced green chilies

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat your oil in a large pot on medium high heat

2. 2

   When it shimmers then add the whole spices i.e cinnamon, cumin seeds, cloves, and whole black peppers.

3. 3

   After the cumin seeds start to sizzle and smell delicious then add the onions

4. 4

   When the edges of the onion turn golden then add the garlic paste and ginger paste and sauté for 30 seconds.

5. 5

   Now stir in your tomatoes and spices. Cover the pot and turn the heat down a little to medium heat for 2-3 minutes - this speeds up the process of cooking the masala.

6. 6

   Turn the heat back up, remove the lid and sauté the spice mix until the oil rises above the top.

7. 7

   Use an immersion blender to make the salan into a mostly smooth paste, you will need to tilt the pot to make this happen.

8. 8

   Add your chicken pieces to your pot stirring periodically until all of the chicken turns white/opaque

9. 9

   Now add 1/2 cup of water to your pot if the masala seems very bring to a boil and simmer on low until the chicken is cooked through, 15-20 minutes.

10. 10

    Adjust the consistency of the salan to your liking, add the garam masala powder and cumin powder, then adjust seasoning.

11. 11

    Garnish with cilantro and green chilies and serve.