Chicken drumsticks masala is a dish where tender chicken drumsticks are marinated in a blend of spices, often including ginger-garlic paste, chili sauce, soy sauce, and more, depending on the recipe. The marinated drumsticks are either pan-fried or cooked in a sauce until they’re flavorful and tender. The sauce typically contains a mix of aromatic spices, onions, peppers, and a combination of savory, tangy, and spicy sauces, creating a delicious coating for the chicken. It’s a flavorful and aromatic dish, perfect as a main course in various cuisines, especially Indian and Indo-Chinese.
Here’s a delicious recipe to prepare chicken drumsticks masala:
Ingredients:
For Marination:
- 6-8 chicken drumsticks
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch/cornflour
For Masala:
- 2 onions (finely chopped)
- 3 tomatoes (pureed)
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2-3 cloves
- 2-3 cardamom pods
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chilli powder
- 1 tablespoon red chili powder (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 tablespoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander leaves (for garnish)
Instructions:
Marinating the Chicken Drumsticks:
- Make slits on the chicken drumsticks to allow the marinade to penetrate.
- In a bowl, mix the drumsticks with soy sauce, chili sauce, ginger-garlic paste, black pepper powder, and salt.
- Add cornstarch/cornflour to the chicken. Mix well, ensuring the drumsticks are evenly coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Cooking the Dish:
- Heat oil in a pan or wok over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add the marinated chicken drumsticks. Fry them until they turn golden brown and are cooked through. Remove and set aside.
For Masala Gravy:
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, cloves, and cardamom pods. Let them sizzle for a few seconds until fragrant.
- Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
- Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a couple of minutes until the raw smell disappears.
- Pour in the tomato puree and cook until the oil starts to separate from the sides of the mixture.
- Add Kashmiri chilli powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt. Mix well and cook for a few minutes to blend the flavors.
- Add the chicken drumsticks to the masala mixture and coat them evenly.
- Add water as needed to prevent burning and to achieve the desired consistency of gravy.
- Once the chicken is cooked, sprinkle garam masala over the dish and mix well.
- Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
Serving:
- Serve the chicken drumsticks masala hot with rice, roti (Indian flatbread), naan, or bread of your choice.
This dish offers a blend of spices and flavors that make the chicken drumsticks incredibly tasty and aromatic. Adjust the spices according to your taste preferences for a milder or spicier version. Enjoy your meal!