chicken curry

 Chicken curry is a flavorful and aromatic dish made by simmering chicken pieces in a rich, spiced sauce. There are countless variations of chicken curry recipes across different cultures, but I'll provide a basic recipe for a classic Indian-style chicken curry:

**Ingredients**:

**For the Marinade**:

- 1.5 pounds (about 700g) bone-in chicken pieces (e.g., thighs, drumsticks)

- 1 cup plain yogurt

- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste (or minced ginger and garlic)

- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder

- 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to your spice preference)

- Salt to taste

**For the Curry**:

- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or ghee (clarified butter)

- 1 large onion, finely chopped

- 2-3 tomatoes, finely chopped

- 2 teaspoons cumin seeds

- 2-3 green chilies, slit lengthwise

- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste

- 1 teaspoon ground coriander

- 1 teaspoon ground cumin

- 1 teaspoon garam masala

- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom

- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

- 2-3 cups water (adjust for desired consistency)

- Fresh coriander leaves, for garnish

- Salt to taste

**Instructions**:

**1. Marinate the Chicken**:

- In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, red chili powder, and salt. Mix well to coat the chicken, then cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for more flavor.

**2. Cook the Chicken**:

- Heat the oil or ghee in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or pan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and let them sizzle for a few seconds.

- Add the chopped onions and green chilies, and sauté until the onions turn golden brown.

- Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the raw aroma disappears.

- Add the ground coriander, cumin, garam masala, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. Cook the spices for a minute or two until they become fragrant.

- Add the marinated chicken and sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is sealed and changes color.

**3. Add Tomatoes and Simmer**:

- Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft and the oil starts to separate from the mixture.

**4. Simmer with Water**:

- Pour in the water and season with salt to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens. You can adjust the amount of water to achieve your desired consistency.

**5. Garnish and Serve**:

- Garnish the chicken curry with fresh coriander leaves and serve it hot with rice, naan, or roti.

This is a basic chicken curry recipe, and you can adjust the level of spiciness and other seasonings to suit your taste. Enjoy your homemade chicken curry!