Chicken masala is a dish originating from the Indian subcontinent, where it is the national dish of both India and Pakistan. It is also popular in Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The chicken is simmered in a spiced curry along with onions and tomatoes, usually with whole spices including cumin, coriander, turmeric or ginger. Chicken masala has its origins in Mughlai cuisine from the 16th century when chicken began to replace goat meat as the most common meat used for cooking among Muslims because of its lower cost relative to other meats available at that time. The original name of chicken masala was qorma (قرما), which means “braised”. Over time this term was shortened to qurma, and the original name chicken masala came into use.
When chicken masala is cooked at home in India, it has been a very common dish prepared with chicken pieces or chicken wings, which are marinated overnight as part of the preparation process. The chicken is then slowly cooked in a large pot (known as “karahi” in Hindi) with a masala consisting of tomato puree, chicken stock, ginger and garlic paste, chili powder or fresh green chilies. It is often served with naan (a type of leavened Indian flatbread).
Crock Pot chicken masala is a recipe that can be used to make chicken masala in an American kitchen. It is a chicken dish that includes onion, chicken thighs, chicken broth and chicken breast along with other spices like garlic powder, black pepper, white pepper, crushed red pepper flakes and more. Among the spices included for flavor are cumin seeds, coriander seeds as well as turmeric powder. Fresh ginger also provides flair to chicken masala.
This chicken dish, which can be made in a slow cooker or crock pot, is best prepared using chicken thighs as opposed to chicken breasts because the chicken cooks more slowly and absorbs more flavor than when chicken breasts are used. While chicken breasts may be used for this recipe that is cooked in a slow cooker, chicken thighs provide a richer flavor and better texture to chicken masala.
For this chicken masala recipe, chicken broth is used in the slow cooker or crock pot to cook chicken pieces with spices and onion for at least five hours on low heat. After chicken is cooked through, it can be shredded so that all of its flavors are incorporated into chicken masala.
Indian chicken masala is created with chicken marinated in yogurt and spices, then cooked slowly to infuse the chicken with flavor. The chicken can be served on rice or used as an ingredient for a chicken tikka masala recipe. For best results when cooking this dish, it’s important to understand that chicken thighs are used as chicken breast has a tendency to dry out when cooked for long periods of time.
Chicken masala can also be served with chicken tikka masala, making it a more chicken based dish that includes chicken with tomatoes and onion. Chicken masala is one of the most popular dishes in India – even more popular than chicken tikka masala.
In the chicken tikka masala recipe, chicken chicken is cooked in a slow cooker or crock pot with spices and tomato sauce to help enhance its flavor. Some chicken may be marinated overnight prior to being added to chicken tikka masala but it isn’t required as it can also be served without being marinated.
Chicken Masala Ingredients:
chicken, chicken thighs, chicken breast, chicken broth or stock, baby carrots, garlic powder, onion flakes, salt and pepper.
Method to make Chicken Masala:
For the chicken masala recipe in this article you will need chicken thighs (about 2 pounds), garlic cloves (3-5 depending on preference and size), chicken broth (1 cup), chicken stock (1 cup), can crushed tomatoes or tomato puree (14 ounce can), onion flakes (2 tablespoons), chicken seasoning mix (1 tablespoon) and ground cumin (3 teaspoons).
The chicken masala recipe is done by adding the chicken broth, chicken thighs, chicken seasoning mix, crushed tomatoes or tomato puree, garlic cloves, chicken stock, onion flakes and ground cumin in a crock pot or slow cooker on low heat for about five hours. The chicken is cooked until tender and the chicken masala can be served with rice.
