Each sunday, preparing some non-veg gravy is a regular task at my home. It is mostly for lunch but sometimes for breakfast or dinner too. Why make the same gravy every week? I try new non-vegetarian gravies whenever I find a tasty one online or in a cookbook.
Most women pass on their own mysterious chicken masala blend to their non-vegetarian gravies from their parents. In country side, ladies generally prepare this chicken masala powder which gives a thicker gravy content and helps in cooking a delicious curry faster. It is referred to as chicken masala or kari masala but it can be used for any meat preparations. In fact it can also be used for some vegetarian preparations like potato curry, mushroom curry or soya curry.
It is common to find in villages that, ladies never want to share their Kitchen Queen Award with anyone else. So they do not disclose their secret recipe. Everyone attempts to make the best chicken curry with their own chicken masala powder. Today the case is different, we have so many resources available. Here I would like to share my mother’s recipe for non-veg gravy masala powder.
When cooking any non veg gravies, I always recommend cooking in an iron tawa or earthen pots. It gives a delicious taste.
Chicken masala spice is a quintessential Indian spice blend that adds a symphony of aromatic flavors to chicken and other dishes With its complex blend of spices that provide a balance of sweet, spicy, earthy and tangy notes, chicken masala has become a staple in kitchens across the globe. But what exactly gives this spice mix its distinctive taste and aroma? Let’s take a closer look at the origins, ingredients and uses of chicken masala spice
A Brief History of Chicken Masala Spice
Chicken masala as we know it today has its origins in North Indian cuisine. The term “masala” refers to a blend of ground spices, so chicken masala simply translates to a spice blend for chicken. It is believed that this aromatic spice mix was created by ancient Indian spice traders and merchants, who would experiment with herbs and spices from around the world.
Over centuries, the recipe evolved through cultural influences as the spice blend made its way from North India to other regions and across the seas along spice routes. Local ingredients were incorporated, creating variations like South Indian chicken masala with curry leaves, mustard seeds and lentils added to the mix. From its origins in the Indian subcontinent, chicken masala has now become a globally loved spice blend, adapted into diverse cuisines.
The Composition of Chicken Masala Spice
Even though recipes are different, chicken masala spice usually has a core group of spices plus some other ingredients that add depth.
The Main Spices
The foundation of chicken masala lies in three main spices:
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Coriander Provides a citrusy sweet aroma and flavor. It forms the base that balances the other spices.
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Cumin: Adds an earthy, warm and subtly smoky note.
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Turmeric: Mainly used for color, but also adds a mild bitterness and health benefits.
Spice Supporting Cast
Added to the main spices is an array of supporting ingredients:
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Chilies: Provide spicy heat, like cayenne or Kashmiri chilies.
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Black Pepper: Brings warmth and a subtle bitterness.
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Cinnamon and Cloves: For sweet, earthy and pungent flavors.
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Cardamom and Nutmeg: Include hints of pine and floral notes.
Herbs and Other Ingredients
Some chicken masala recipes also incorporate dried herbs and aromatics:
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Curry Leaves: Add a citrusy, slightly bitter aroma.
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Kasuri Methi: Provides an earthy flavor and aroma.
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Garlic and Onion Powder: Enhance the savory umami taste.
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Salt: For seasoning and balancing flavors.
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Tamarind Powder: Creates a sour taste usually found in South Indian blends
The mix of spices, herbs, and seasonings gives chicken masala its rich and complex flavor, which makes it so useful in the kitchen.
Why Use Chicken Masala Spice in Cooking?
So why has this spice blend become so popular in Indian and international cooking? Here are some of its prime benefits:
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Incredible Flavor: No other spice blend can replicate the unique taste and aroma of chicken masala spice. It adds incredible depth and character to any dish.
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Tenderizes Meat: Spices like turmeric naturally tenderize chicken and meat when marinated.
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Aroma: Heating spices like cloves and cinnamon release their essential oils, making food irresistibly fragrant.
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Balanced Flavors: Sweet, spicy, earthy and tangy notes work together in perfect harmony.
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Versatility: Chicken masala can flavor meats, lentils, vegetables and more.
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Convenience: Using a pre-made blend like chicken masala saves time and effort.
No wonder it has become a cherished staple around the world!
How to Use Chicken Masala Spice
Chicken masala can transform simple dishes into flavorful culinary treats. Here are some ways to incorporate it into cooking:
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To add flavor to meats or vegetables before cooking, mix yogurt, oil, and herbs together to make marinades.
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Curries: Add to curry along with tomatoes, onions and coconut milk for delicious depth.
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Roasted Veggies: Toss cauliflower, potatoes or other veggies with oil and masala then roast.
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Rice: Stir into rice pilafs along with onions and peas for an aromatic rice dish.
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Soups: Add to chicken noodle or vegetable soups for warmth and complexity.
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Spice Rubs: Coat meats with an oil and masala mixture then grill for intense flavor.
Chicken masala brings its incredible aroma and balanced spice flavors to just about any dish imaginable. Get creative and explore all the possibilities!
How to Make Homemade Chicken Masala Spice
With its complex medley of spices, making homemade chicken masala can seem intimidating. But it is actually quite straightforward:
Ingredients:
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Spices: coriander, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, chilies, cardamom.
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Herbs: curry leaves, kasuri methi (optional)
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Aromatics: onion and garlic powder (optional)
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Salt to taste
Steps:
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Toast whole spices like cumin, coriander, cloves in a dry pan on low heat until fragrant.
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Grind the toasted spices into a fine powder with a mortar and pestle or spice grinder.
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Mix in remaining ingredients like turmeric powder, kasuri methi and salt.
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Store the homemade blend in an airtight jar away from sunlight.
With this easy technique, you can create aromatic chicken masala matched to your taste preferences. Adjust spice quantities until you find your perfect blend.
Regional Variations of Chicken Masala
One of the wonders of chicken masala is the regional diversity found in this spice blend. Some key differences include:
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Northern blends: Richer, creamier profiles with cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg.
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Southern blends: Hotter and more sour blends using curry leaves, tamarind, mustard seeds.
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Goan blends: Incorporate tropical flavors like coconut, vinegar and kokum.
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Punjabi blends: Robust, hearty blends for tandoori chicken and rich curries.
These local variations highlight how chicken masala absorbs regional influences while retaining its comforting essence. Feel free to experiment with ingredients to create your own signature blend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about chicken masala spice:
Is chicken masala spice spicy?
Spice level depends on the type of chilies used. For mild heat use Kashmiri or Byadgi chilies. For more heat, incorporate hotter chilies like cayenne.
What’s the difference between chicken masala and garam masala?
Chicken masala is a spice blend specifically for enhancing chicken dishes. Garam masala is a more general Indian spice mix used in various dishes.
Does chicken masala contain salt?
Most blends do contain some salt for seasoning. To control sodium, leave out salt when preparing homemade masala.
Can I use chicken masala for vegetarian dishes?
Absolutely. It works very well in lentils, vegetables, paneer dishes and more.
How should I store chicken masala spice?
Store in an airtight container away from direct sunlight and heat to maintain freshness. Properly stored, it will last about 6 months.
Bring the Flavors of India to Your Table
Chicken masala spice beautifully blends the concepts of simplicity and complexity that characterize Indian cuisine. With just a few core ingredients, it manages to produce a harmonious symphony of flavors balanced to perfection. This aromatic masala elevates the flavor of whatever you pair it with, from humble chicken curries to elaborate feasts.
So embrace your inner spice merchant and get creative with homemade blends or use readymade chicken masala to infuse dishes with the warm, rich flavors of India. A dash of this magical spice blend can turn an ordinary meal into an extraordinary experience.
Recipe for Homemade Chicken Masala
- Coriander Seeds (Dhaniya) – 1 kg
- Dry Red Chilies – 1/4 kg
- Black Peppercorns – 50 gms
- Fennel Seeds – 50 gms
- Cumin Seeds – 50 gms
- Rice – 50 gm
- Cardamom – 50 gms
- Poppy seeds – 100 gms
- Curry Leaves – 5 handful of leaves
- Turmeric – 50 gms
- Bay leaves – 20 leaves
- Star anise – 10 gms
- Cinnamon – 10 gms
- Cloves – 10 gms
- Kapok Buds (Marathi Moggu) – 10 gms
- Black Stone Flower (Kalpasi) – 10 gms
- Crystal Salt – handful
- On a medium-low heat, dry roast each thing on its own. Add a spoon of oil while you fry the red chilies on their own.
- Fry a handful of crystal salt. Take everything off and spread it out on a big plate in the sun.
- This can be ground into a powder in a mill and kept for a year.
Ingredients (Making about 1/4 kg)
Above mentioned ingredients is perfect for making for a whole year. It is enough for an entire joint family. These days we see more of nuclear family system. Many young couples even live abroad. They are mostly looking for making smaller quantity of masala powder in their mixie jars. For such people I want to give the measurements below. Just roast the ingredients and powder it in a clean dry mixie jar. It will last upto 2-4 months for a family of 2 adults and 2 kids.
- Coriander Seeds (Dhaniya) – 100 gms (about 1 cup)
- Dry Red Chilies – 25 gms (about 1 cup packed)
- Black Peppercorns – 2 tsp
- Fennel Seeds – 2 tsp
- Cumin Seeds – 2 tsp
- Rice – 2 tsp
- Cardamom – 1 tsp
- Poppy seeds – 1 tsp
- Curry Leaves – 2 sprigs
- Turmeric – 1 piece
- Two bay leaves, one star anise, one inch of cinnamon, five cloves, two kapok buds (Marathi Moggu), and three black stone flowers (Kalpasi) make up whole garam masala.
- Crystal Salt – 1 tsp