Description
Savory Chicken Bhuna features a warm, caramelized aroma and a glossy, spice-kissed sauce, perfect for a dinner that demands texture and depth.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.25 lb (575 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1–1.5 inch pieces
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp ghee or unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece ginger, grated
- 2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped or 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2–1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder (for color and mild heat)
- Salt to taste
- 1/4 cup warm water (to adjust consistency)
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon juice, or to taste
- Optional: thinly sliced green chiles for heat
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry and season lightly with salt.
- Heat oil and ghee in a wide skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Sear chicken pieces in batches until deeply browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- Lower heat to medium. Add cumin seeds; when they sizzle and perfume the pan, add sliced onions.
- Cook, stirring, until onions turn a deep golden brown (about 12–15 minutes).
- Add garlic and ginger; sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Deglaze the pan with 2–3 tablespoons of warm water if fond forms.
- Stir in coriander, turmeric, chili powder, and half the garam masala.
- Add chopped tomatoes and a pinch of salt. Cook until the mixture reduces to a thick consistency (5–8 minutes).
- Return browned chicken to the pan and stir to coat each piece in the reduced sauce.
- Add 1/4 cup warm water, cover, and simmer gently for 8–10 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
- Uncover and continue to simmer on medium-low until the sauce reduces to a glossy, clingy coating.
- Taste and adjust salt and heat, then add the remaining garam masala and lemon juice.
- Off the heat, fold in chopped cilantro and let the dish rest for 3 minutes.
Notes
Cooling the bhuna to room temperature before refrigerating preserves texture. Reheat gently to restore silkiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg