DHABA STYLE CHICKEN CURRY

It is said that "The dhaba moves wherever a Punjabi goes." Dhaba's are basically roadside restaurants in Punjab, India, decorated with mud structures and cots to sit upon (charpai) while eating. The concept is now famous among restaurants. 

Punjabi food served in dhabas is wholesome and full of rustic flavour along with pure ghee or clarified white butter. And I am totally in love with this dhaba style spicy food. Makki di roti, Sarson ka saag, Pindi chana, Rajma curry, Dal makhni, Palak paneer, Chicken curry, Butter chicken, Mutton, Aloo paratha - uncountable finger-licking recipes are there. Today I am going to share one of these most famous recipes, i.e. Dhaba Style Chicken Curry. Enjoy it at home. Let's check out the recipe -

Ingredients

• Chicken, on bone - 1 kg
• Onion, chopped - 2 large size
• Ginger paste - 1 tsp
• Garlic, chopped - 2 tsp
• Tomatoes, chopped - 1 large size
• Green chilli, chopped - 4
• Fresh coriander leaves, chopped - 1/2 cup
• Lemon juice - 2 tsp
• Curd - 1/2 cup
• Black pepper, crushed - 1 tsp
• Coriander seeds - 1 tsp
• Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
• Kashmiri dry red chilli - 5 to 6
• Ajwain or carom seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Cloves - 4
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
• Garam masala powder - 1 and 1/2 tsp
• Besan (roasted chana powder) - 2 to 3 tsp
• Salt - to taste
• Sugar - a pinch
• Butter - a cube
• Mustard oil - as required

**you can cook it only in butter.

Method

Take the chicken pcs in a mixing bowl. Beat the curd until smooth. Add it to the chicken pcs. Add the crushed pepper and some salt. Give it a nice mix. Keep this marinated chicken for at least 45 mins. 

Take a pan. Switch on the flame. Add dry red chilli, cumin seeds, coriander seeds and carom seeds. Dry roast and make a coarse powder using a blender. Keep aside.

In a heavy bottom pan or wok, heat mustard oil. Add the cloves. Saute for a few secs. Add the chopped garlic. This gives a nice flavour to this recipe. Fry for 20 secs. Add chopped onion and fry till nice golden brown. Add the ginger paste and fry. Now add the chopped tomatoes and green chilli. Add some salt and a pinch of sugar. Once the tomatoes are nice and soft, add the turmeric powder and the premade spice powder. Mix well.

Now its time to add the marinated chicken pcs. Add some salt and give it a quick mix. Cover the lid and cook in medium flame for 15 mins. In between stir well, otherwise it will catch the pan. 

Add the butter, garam masala powder and the fresh chopped coriander leaves. Add some warm water. Cover the lid and bring it to boil. Cook for another 15 to 20 mins, Once the chicken are fully cooked, add the lemon juice and the besan. Give it a nice mix. Cook for another 5 mins. Switch off the flame. Garnish with some chopped coriander leaves and lemon slices. Serve hot along with plain rice or roti.