Masala Fried Chicken Recipes

THE BEST CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA

Steps:

• For the chicken marinade: Whisk together the yogurt, ginger, salt, chili powder, garam masala, pepper, turmeric and garlic in a large bowl until combined. Toss the chicken in the spiced yogurt marinade until evenly coated. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 3 hours and up to 24. (Overnight works best.)
• For the sauce: Melt the ghee in a large Dutch oven or wide heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onions and serrano, season with 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden and beginning to caramelize, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the ginger and garlic and cook, stirring, until very fragrant and the ginger starts to turn golden and sticks to the bottom of the pot, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the fenugreek leaves, garam masala, chili powder and paprika and cook, stirring occasionally, until very fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, breaking them up into pieces with a spoon, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has reduced by half and the tomatoes are very tender, about 30 minutes.
• Let the hot sauce cool for about 5 minutes or so, then transfer it to a blender filling no more than halfway. (If your blender is small, you may need to work in batches.) Remove the center cap from the lid and place it on the blender. Cover the lid with a kitchen towel to catch splatters, and pulse until smooth. Add 1/4 cup heavy cream and puree until creamy. Pour into a clean pot and bring to a simmer. Season with salt.
• Meanwhile, position a rack directly under the broiler and preheat to high. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and set a wire rack inside.
• Arrange the chicken in a single layer on the rack. Broil until the chicken starts to brown in spots, 3 to 6 minutes per side (it will not be cooked through). Remove from the broiler. When cool enough to handle, cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces. Add the chicken to the simmering sauce, cover and cook until the chicken is cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Top the chicken and sauce with cilantro. Serve with rice and naan.

INDIAN MASALA CHICKEN WINGS

Steps:

• Combine coriander, cumin, cardamom, chile powder, pepper, and cloves in a dry pan over low heat. Stir until fragrant. Remove from heat, add oil and water, and stir until combined. Set spice paste aside.
• Rub salt over wings in a shallow dish, then rub spice paste all over. Cover and refrigerate, 4 hours to overnight.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil the grate. Add wings and cook, turning halfway, until well browned, 15 to 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

MASALA FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Coat chicken pieces in pepper, turmeric, and 1 teaspoon salt.
• Crush or grind serranos, garlic and ginger together, slight chunky but well combined.
• Heat oil on medium flame.
• Place chicken pieces a few at a time in oil.
• Fry through until pieces are golden and cooked through, covering pan occasionally so that they get evenly cooked.
• Repeat until all chicken pieces are fried. Take out and drain on paper towels.
• In the same oil, fry onions until light brown, past translucent stage, about 4 minutes.
• If much oil remains, take out excess using a ladle.
• Let enough remain, about 1-2 tablespoons, to saute the remaining ingredients.
• Saute garlic, ginger, serrano mixture till soft and cooked (about 3 minutes).
• Add in tomatoes and cook through for an additional minute.
• Switch to medium-low flame and add in the fried chicken pieces.
• Mix in garam masala, black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon (or to taste) salt and cilantro.
• Combine well.
• Take off flame.
• Serve warm.

FRIED CHICKEN MASALA

Steps:

• To make the brine, mix the buttermilk with all of the spices in a large bowl. Transfer to a gallon-sized resealable plastic bag. Add the chicken, turn to coat, and refrigerate overnight.
• Heat 1 inch of canola oil in a large heavy-bottomed high-sided skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 375°F. In a shallow bowl, whisk the flour with the spices and add the chicken pieces. Turn to coat in the flour and let the chicken rest in the flour until the oil gets hot. Tap off the excess flour and add as many pieces of chicken to the skillet as you can. Fry until browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Turn the chicken over and fry until the chicken is deeply browned on the other side, about another 6 to 8 minutes. Using tongs, transfer the chicken pieces to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Serve while warm or at room temperature.