Rajasthani red chicken curry

Ingredients

For marination

• lemon juice: 3 tb sp
• ginger paste: 2 tb sp
• chili garlic paste: 1.5 tb sp
• yogurt: 4 tb sp
• kashmiri red chili powder: 2 tb sp

For the gravy

• cooking oil: as needed
• sliced onion : 5 cup
• bay leaves : 2
• green cardamom : 4
• black cardamom. : 2
• cinnamon stick : 2
• cloves : 4
• ginger paste : 4 tb sp
• Garlic paste : 2.5 tb sp
• turmeric powder : 1 tsp
• coriander powder : 2 tb sp
• Kashmiri red chili powder (for less heat and a lot of color) : 4 tb sp
• (u can also use 10- 15 dry red chili for more heat)
• garam masala powder  : 2 tsp
• warm water : as needed
• whisked yogurt :  1.5 cup
• minced garlic :  2-3 tablespoons
• fresh lime : 1 tsp

Method

1.wash the chicken pieces.with a sharp knife, make 2-3 deep slits in the chicken drumsticks.Combine all the ingredients for the marinade and add it to the chicken pieces and set aside.Let it rest for about 4 hours. 

2.If you are using dry whole red chilies instead of red chili powder, soak whole dried chili in warm water for sometime. Then grind to a smooth paste using little water.

3.Heat oil in a large thick bottomed pan. Add the thinly sliced onion and cook slowly until they turn golden to brown.Once the onions are near done and a lighter shade of brown add the bay leaves, cinnamon, cardamoms and the clove to the pan. Saute for about a minute and add the marinated chicken pieces. Save any extra marinade.

4.Increase the heat, Cook the chicken until they turn slightly brown, coating them with the spice mix and onions and browning them on all sides.

5.Combine Garlic paste, coriander powder, turmeric powder ,red chili powder and salt in a cup of water. Add the extra marinade to the chicken if you have any. Add this spice and water mix to the pan and cook at medium heat until there is almost no water and the spice mix separates and the oil leaves the sides of the pan.

6.Add the 6-7 cups of warm water, tightly cover and cook until the chicken is done.Switch off the heat if done and cover.

7.Now add garam masala powder,whisked yogurt,chopped garlic. Cook another 2-3 min and switch off the flame and cover tightly until ready to serve.

8.Add 1 tsp lime juice if you wish before serving and serve with tandoori roti/Naan/ pulao.