Chicken Kibti Masala  recipe

Chicken Kibti Masala

by Leena Kohli (@leenakohli)
Prep Time
40min
Cook Time
30min
Total Time
1hr 10min

Chicken Kibti, is a unique and flavorful appetizer from Patiala, Punjab, India. Originating during the reign of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, it features a delicious blend of chicken, yogurt, and aromatic spices, topped with almonds. The chicken is marinated in yogurt and spices, cooked in ghee (clarified butter), and finished with...

Ingredients

4 Servings
(1 serving = 1 portion)

For Kibti Spice Powder

  • 8piece
    Green Cardamom
  • 1tsp
    Black Peppercorns
  • 6piece
    Cloves
  • 1piece
    Mace Flower

For Marination

  • 600g
    Chicken drumsticks & thighs (cut in pieces)
  • 1tbsp
    Ginger Garlic Paste
  • 4piece
    Green Chillies (ground)
  • 1/3cup
    Hung Curd
  • 1tsp
    Salt

For Cooking

  • 3tbsp
    Ghee or Clarified Butter
  • 15piece
    Almonds (sliced)
  • 2piece
    Medium-sized Onion (finely sliced)
  • 1/2tbsp
    Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder
  • 1tbsp
    Coriander Powder
  • 1pinch
    Saffron strands

How to make Chicken Kibti Masala

Prepare the Kibti Spice Powder

  1. Dry roast the green cardamom, black peppercorns, cloves, and mace flower over low-medium heat in a frying pan.

  2. Allow the spices to cool, then grind them to a coarse powder. Set aside.

Marinate the Chicken

  1. In a mixing bowl, marinate the chicken pieces with ginger garlic paste, ground chillies, hung curd, ground Kibti spice powder, and salt.

  2. Mix well and refrigerate for 30-40 minutes.

Cook the Almonds

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of ghee in a pan over medium heat.

  2. Add the sliced almonds and roast them slightly until they lose their raw taste. Remove from the pan and set aside.

    Step 3.1: Add the sliced almonds and roast them slightly until they lose their raw taste

Cook the Chicken

  1. Add 2 tablespoons of ghee to the same pan and heat over medium-high heat.

  2. Add the sliced onions and cook until they become soft and slightly golden.

    Step 4.1: Add the sliced onions and cook until they become soft and slightly golden
    Step 4.2: Add the sliced onions and cook until they become soft and slightly golden
  3. Add the marinated chicken pieces to the pan, reserving any excess marinade for later.

    Step 4.1: Add the marinated chicken pieces to the pan, reserving any excess marinade for later
  4. Cook the chicken over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it is slightly golden on all sides.

    Step 4.1: Cook the chicken over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it is slightly golden on all sides
  5. Add the leftover marinade, Kashmiri red chilli powder, coriander powder, and saffron strands. Mix well.

    Step 4.1: Add the leftover marinade, Kashmiri red chilli powder, coriander powder, and saffron strands
  6. Continue cooking until the chicken is tender and the onions blend seamlessly with the chicken. When the ghee starts to leave the sides of the pan, you can decide whether to leave some gravy or cook until the gravy clings to the chicken. Keep in mind that the gravy will thicken as it cools.

    Step 4.1: Continue cooking until the chicken is tender and the onions blend seamlessly with the chicken
  7. Add the roasted almonds to the pan, reserving a few for garnishing.

    Step 4.1: Add the roasted almonds to the pan, reserving a few for garnishing
  8. Mix well and allow to cook for a few more minutes over low-medium heat to blend the flavours.

  9. Transfer the chicken to a serving plate, and garnish with the reserved roasted almonds.

  10. Serve Chicken Kibti as an appetiser or with naan, paratha, or steamed rice for a complete meal.

Tips & Tricks

  1. Soak and peel the almonds before slicing and roasting them for a richer flavour.

  2. To enhance the taste, add a few drops of rose water or kewra water to the marinade.

  3. For a vegetarian version, you can substitute the chicken with baby potatoes, button mushrooms, or paneer (cottage cheese).

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Recipe by

Leena Kohli

(@leenakohli)

Elevate your confidence through the magic of home cooking with my easy-to-follow recipes 👩‍🍳✨