Easy Chicken Phaal

5.0
(1)

King of all curries! This wonderful dish is the final frontier for all you spicy food gourmands. This curry will make you sweat, but is still one of the most flavorful dishes you'll ever enjoy. If you can't find lal mirchi pepper, use cayenne pepper; if you can't find jwala peppers, substitute serrano chiles. Serve with basmati rice and raita.

Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
40 mins
Total Time:
1 hr
Servings:
6
Yield:
6 servings
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 3 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)

  • 1 red onion, finely chopped

  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

  • 1 (4 inch) piece fresh ginger, finely chopped

  • 1 ½ pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into bite-size pieces

  • 1 teaspoon ground fennel seed

  • 1 ¼ teaspoons lal mirchi (ground Indian red chile pepper)

  • 1 ¼ teaspoons ground cumin

  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander

  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger

  • 14 teaspoons ground fenugreek

  • ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric

  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom

  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

  • 6 tablespoons water, divided

  • 5 fresh red jwala chiles, finely chopped (use gloves)

  • 7 habanero chiles, finely chopped (use gloves)

  • 4 roma (plum) tomatoes, finely chopped

Directions

  1. Heat ghee in a large heavy skillet over medium heat and cook and stir red onion in the hot butter until starting to brown, about 8 minutes; stir in garlic and fresh ginger and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 more minute. Stir in chicken pieces and cook and stir until lightly golden brown, about 10 more minutes.

  2. Mix ground fennel, lal mirchi, cumin, coriander, ground ginger, fenugreek, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper in a bowl with 1 to 2 tablespoons water or as needed to make a paste; stir into the chicken and fry spice paste for 2 minutes. Pour in remaining 1/4 cup water and fry the spices and chicken until the water has almost evaporated, 7 to 8 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent spices from burning.

  3. Mix in jwala chiles, habanero chiles, and tomatoes; cook, stirring often, until tomatoes are softened and start to break apart, about 10 minutes. If chicken is still slightly pink inside, stir in more water, a tablespoon at a time, and cook until water has evaporated and chicken is cooked through.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

226 Calories
10g Fat
11g Carbs
25g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 226
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 10g 12%
Saturated Fat 5g 24%
Cholesterol 75mg 25%
Sodium 60mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 4g 13%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 25g 50%
Vitamin C 11mg 12%
Calcium 51mg 4%
Iron 4mg 24%
Potassium 401mg 9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.