Chicken Rezala Recipe

8:40 PM

Chicken Rezala is very popular and authentic dish originated in Bengal and highly influenced by Mughlai cuisine. This royal dish is simply magical with it’s delicious aroma, texture and lip-smacking taste. The chicken is slow-cooked in a white cashew nut gravy with a blend of aromatic spices which lends a divine flavour to this dish. It has a perfect blend of sweetness and sourness in a mildly spiced gravy which makes it just delectable with Naan, Roomali Roti or Paratha . The juicy succulent pieces of meat drowned in silky white semi thick gravy which glides through your taste bud without being heavy, besides bringing that perfect balance of sweetness and heat.

Chicken Rezala has so much of complex flavours and layers of taste, which makes it is so distinctive from other Mughlai dishes. The secret behind a successful Rezala is the use of homemade sweet yogurt that nicely compliments the dish giving a nice sweet taste. Though Rezala is synonymous with mutton, some can also prepare it with chicken, mushroom, paneer, fish egg or prawn. The white gravy is made with curd, cashew nut and poppy seeds paste, flavored with subtle spices which are not commonly used in normal dishes. Apart from cardamom, cloves, the dish is spiced with nutmeg powder, white pepper powder and got contrasted by whole dry red chili and garnished with ghee/ clarified butter.

Unlike other Bengali delicacies which has travelled to far away land, Rezala remain confined to the geographical boundaries of Kolkata.The long period of Muslim rule in the country has greatly influenced the architecture and cuisine of the country and Bengal was no exception.The most interesting thing about this recipe of chicken rezala is the uses of few chosen spices, slow cooking and uncommon blending of onion with curd used for marination as well as for cooking. I have arrived at this recipe after going through many recipes on internet and food magazines, but a special mention to my friend Piyali Muthha from mytrystwithfoodandtravel whose Chicken Rezala has tempted me to try this and blog about it.

Cuisine: Indian

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cooking time : 20 to 25 minutes

Serves:4

Ingredients

For the Marination:

4 nos of Skinless Chicken leg pieces
2 Medium Size onion
4 to 5 large Garlic Pods
1 inch Ginger
1 cup Fresh Curd
1 teaspoon White Pepper powder
1 teaspoon Nutmeg Powder

Whole Garam Masala

4 Green Cardamom

1 Black Cardamom

4 Cloves

8 Black Peppercorn

2 Red Chili

1 Bayleaf

Other Ingredients:

2 teaspoon Ghee/Clarified Butter
3 teaspoon Refine Oil
8 whole Cashew Nuts
1 tablespoon Poppy Seeds
1 teaspoon Sugar
A few strands Saffron

Let’s Learn How to make this Chicken Rezala:

Soak the poppy seed and cashew nuts in warm water for minimum 30 minutes.
Wash the chicken and drain all water from it. Make cuts in the chicken pieces with a sharp knife so that the marinade will soak through it. Keep aside.
Boil the Onions till done, let it cool. When cool, drain the water and grind along with ginger and garlic together in a blender to make a smooth paste.The paste has to be absolutely smooth.
Using a whisk, beat the curd to make it smooth.Grind cashew and poppy seeds to a paste and keep aside.
In a bowl mix onion,ginger garlic paste and curd. Add nutmeg and pepper powder. Add salt to taste. Add the chicken pieces to the mixture and marinate. Keep it aside for minimum 30 minutes .
Heat the oil. Lightly pound the whole spices so that it can release it’s aroma and add to the oil. Let it sizzle with lovely aroma. Now put the marinated chicken pieces and sauté on medium heat till all sides turn white. Now pour in all the marinade and Cook for 8-10 minutes.
Add the poppy and cashew seeds paste and cook for a minute.Pour 3/4 cup warm water. Check the seasoning and cover. Let it simmer on low heat till oil starts to float on top and the chicken is cooked through.
Uncover and add the sugar and strands of saffron .
Before serving heat 2 teaspoon of ghee or clarified butter and add the dried red chillies. lower the flame and let the ghee infused with the flavor of red chillies. Pour this over the curry and keep covered till you are ready to serve.
Serve with Naan, Paratha., Kulcha or Roomali Roti etc.