Step 1

Dry roast 1 ½ tablespoons coriander seeds, ¾ teaspoon fennel seeds and 4 red chilies until crisp & aromatic.

Step 2

Cool and powder them in a spice jar along with 1 to 1½ teaspoon garam masala.

Step 3

Add ¾ cup chopped tomatoes to a blender and puree them. You can skip this step if u don’t mind using tomatoes directly.

Step 4

Optional : Substitute to cream. You can skip this step if using cream. Soak 10 cashews in warm water for 10 minutes. Then make a fine smooth paste adding 4 to 6 tbsps water.

Step 5

Optional: Add 1 tbsp oil to a kadai or wok. When the oil turns hot, add ¾ cup cubed capsicum and ½ cup cubed onions. Fry for 2 minutes on the highest flame. When you begin to smell them good transfer to a plate. Keep it aside.

Step 6

Heat the kadai with 1 tablespoon oil. Then add 1 broken chili and ½ teaspoon cumin.

Step 7

Fry till the cumin begins to splutter. Add ½ cup finely chopped onions and fry till they turn golden.

Step 8

Next add 2 teaspoons ginger garlic paste. Fry till the raw smell goes off. Do not burn it.

Step 9

Add chicken and fry for 3 to 4 minutes. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes.

Step 10

Add kadai masala, turmeric and ¼ to ½ teaspoon red chili powder (optional).

Step 11

Mix and fry well for just 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 12

Next pour tomato puree, cashew paste and add salt.

Step 13

Mix and cook till the raw smell of the tomatoes goes away.

Step 14

The masala thickens and begins to leave oil. Cover and cook until the chicken is soft cooked.

Step 15

Add sauted onions and capsicums. Mix and continue to cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 16

Cook till the gravy thickens to your desired consistency.

Step 17

If using cream, pour the cream to a bowl. Take a portion of the gravy and mix with cream. Add back to the kadai and stir well.

Step 18

Do not overcook kadai chicken. Capsicum and onions should be crunchy.

Step 19

Sprinkle crushed kasuri methi and coriander leaves. Mix well and cook for just one to two minutes. Off the stove.

Step 20

Serve kadai chicken with rice or roti.