Chicken Keema is minced or ground chicken that you can use to prepare several dishes. Chicken Keema Masala is a very popular dish in India and often found as a street food too. Serve with warm fluffy pav (mini buns) or paratha and enjoy it warm. The ground chicken doesn’t need any marination, which makes the prep work very less and the dish comes together in less than 30 minutes. I use one particular spice in this dish called Dagar ka Phool also known as pathar phool (stone flower in english) It makes the dish so robust with umami flavor.
What ingredient goes in Chicken Keema Masala
Like most Indian non veg dishes, you start with ginger garlic and chili paste. I prefer using fresh, as that adds more flavor and taste. You then cook the onion and tomatoes with some whole spices (bay leaf, cinnamon stick, green cardamoms and clove) along with cumin and fennel seeds I use tomato purée which adds the gorgeous rich red color to the keema masala.
Aromatic Earthy Spices
Apart from the usual cumin powder, coriander powder and chili powder, I also use dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi) for the beautiful floral perfume. You finish the curry with garam masala powder. And a little drizzle of heavy cream which turns the rich red into a beautiful saffron shade.
Don’t skip the tadka!
I like to drizzle a hot tadka (tempering)on the Chicken Keema Masala just before serving. You prepare the tadka with ghee, thinly sliced ginger, green chili, kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) and dagar phool (stone flower). This sizzling tadka makes the Chicken Keema Masala extra flavorful and so very tasty. With some crunchy salad on the side, chicken keema is a hearty tasty meal paired with either paratha or bread.
What substitute can you use for Vegetarian version
There are several options you can choose from: Scramble Tofu or paneer is a great option. Finely chopped cauliflower with few more assorted veggies. My favorite vegetarian option for the same dish is to use soya granules I hope you will give this Chicken Keema Masala a try and don’t miss that tadka at the end. It is delicious and ridiculously easy to prepare.
