Achari Karela Chicken

Ingredients

• ¾ kg chicken
• 4½ blended tomatoes
• 1½ onion · chopped
• 6 onions · sliced
• 1½ tbsp ginger garlic paste
• ½ cup oil

Spices

• Salt to taste
• 1½ tsp red chilli powder
• 1½ tsp chilli flakes
• ¾ tsp turmeric powder
• ¾ tbsp coriander powder

For Karela (Bitter Gourd)

• 4-5 karela · peeled & sliced
• Salt · for removing bitterness
• 3 tbsp oil

Achari Masala

• 1½ tsp nigella seeds · kalonji
• 1½ tbsp coriander seeds
• 1½ tbsp fennel seeds
• 1½ tbsp mustard seeds

Garnish

• Green chillies
• Fresh coriander leaves

Other ingredients

• ¾ cup water

Instructions

1. Cook Chicken Base.
2. Heat ⅓ cup oil, sauté chopped onion until light golden.
3. Add ginger garlic paste and chicken.
4. Cover and cook for 5 minutes on low flame.
5. Add blended tomatoes and all spices.
6. Mix well, cover, and cook for 10 minutes until chicken is tender.
7. Prepare Karela (Remove Bitterness): peel and slice karela.
8. Sprinkle salt and leave for a while until water releases.
9. Wash thoroughly, place in cloth, and squeeze out excess water.
10. Fry Karela.
11. Heat 2 tbsp oil and fry karela on low flame for 5 minutes until color changes.
12. Add to chicken.
13. Fry Onions.
14. In another pan, sauté sliced onions until golden.
15. Add into chicken mixture.
16. Achari touch: grind all achari masala ingredients; sprinkle over chicken and mix well; add ½ cup water, cover, and cook for 5 minutes.
17. Final touch: add green chillies and fresh coriander; mix and serve hot.