How to Make Bhuna Chicken Masala – your go to Chicken Curry

Bhuna chicken masala is a chicken curry that is not only delicious but also flavourful. If you try this recipe of chicken bhuna masala once, then this is going to be your favourite go-to chicken curry. The chicken bhuna masala beautifully balances the sweetness of caramelised onions with the tanginess of tomatoes. It is a tasty gravy with succulent chicken pieces that you can serve with any of your rice preparations or rotis.

What is Bhuna Chicken Masala?

The word “bhuna” means to roast, and so this chicken curry requires you to roast the onions and tomatoes with the spices perfectly. The chicken bhuna masala is a chicken dish from the Punjabi cuisine. The cuisine of Punjab is so rich and flavourful that falling in love with it is a given.

Patience is the key to a delicious bhuna chicken masala as it requires time to get the flavours out from the ingredients. The chicken is first marinated with yoghurt and spices. The onions and tomatoes are carefully roasted or bhuna to ensure a perfect masala. The process of roasting the onions and tomatoes is done on slow to medium flame. This is to ensure that it does not burn and the onions are perfectly caramelised to bring out its sweetness. The marinated chicken is then added in at a high flame so that it cooks in its juices. It is then cooked for some time. Further, It is simmered on low flame so that it soaks in all the flavours of the bhuna masala. Let us start with making the Bhuna Chicken Masala.

Ingredients for making Bhuna Chicken Masala Recipe

For marinating

• Chicken 500 gms (You may use the Zorabian chicken breast boneless cut into small pieces or the Zorabian Precut Chicken if you like your chicken with the bone)
• Turmeric powder ¼ tsp
• Salt ½ tsp
• Kashmiri chilli powder 1 tbsp
• Ginger paste 1 tsp
• Garlic paste 1 tsp

For the bhuna masala

• 1 tsp oil
• 1 tsp ghee or clarified butter
• Kashmiri chilli powder: 1 to 2 tsp (depending on spice level preferred)
• Turmeric powder: 1/4 tsp
• Coriander powder: 1 tsp
• Cumin powder: ½ tsp
• Garam masala powder: ½ tsp
• Onion: 3 medium-sized chopped fine
• Tomatoes: 4 to 5 medium-sized tomatoes (boil, remove skin and puree)
• Tomato puree: 1 tbsp (store bought – for colour and thickness – optional)
• Green chilli: 1 chopped fine
• Juice of ½ a lemon
• Ginger garlic paste: 1 tbsp
• Kasuri Methi: 1 tsp
• Chopped coriander leaves: 2 tbsp

Method for making the Bhuna Chicken Masala

1. Heat a thick-bottomed deep pan and add in the oil and clarified butter. Now, add the finely chopped green chilli and the onions and saute on low to medium flame. Once the onions are soft and translucent then add the ginger garlic paste and continue sauteeing till the raw smell disappears.
2. Add the turmeric powder, Kashmiri chilli powder, coriander powder and cumin powder. Meanwhile, at this stage, you may add one or two tbsp of water so that the masalas do not burn. Saute till the masalas cook well and subsequently, you will see the oil start separating from the sides.
3. Add the tomatoes and the puree (optional) and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Cover and cook for a few minutes so that the tomatoes are well-cooked.
4. Open and add the marinated chicken pieces. Saute on high flame for 4 to 5 minutes until the chicken is well coated and subsequently changes to a white colour from pink.
5. Add ½ a cup of water and salt as required. Cover and cook for 7 to 10 minutes until the chicken is well cooked and the oil starts separating. Add in the garam masala powder and kasuri methi and cook for a few more minutes.
6. Switch off. Garnish with the chopped coriander leaves and mix in the lemon juice.

Serving suggestions

You can serve it with jeera rice, raita and pappads or any of your pulaos. Indian breads like phulkas, chapatis, tandoori roti or naan go very well with the Bhuna Chicken Masala.

Do try it and share your pictures and feedback with the Zorabian Instagram Page. Buy your Zorabian chicken boneless or the cut of your choice from our online store or general trade partners and enjoy cooking your favourite chicken dishes for friends and family. We bring you a number of chicken recipes do check out the Zorabian blog for more recipes that you will love cooking. You can try the Tandoori Chicken Recipe or the Tandoori chicken Sandwich if you love Punjabi cuisine.