A classic Bengali Mughlai delicacy where tender chicken leg quarters are slow-cooked in a rich, fragrant gravy of yogurt, cashews, and poppy seeds. A celebratory dish from Kolkata.
Prep20 min
Cook45 min
Soak30 min
Servings4
Serving size: 1 serving
1196cal
85gprotein
21gcarbs
Ingredients
4 piece Chicken Leg Quarters (About 1kg total, with or without skin)
2 medium Onion (Made into a smooth paste)
2 tbsp Ginger Paste
2 tbsp Garlic Paste
1 cup Curd (Whisked until smooth)
15 piece Cashew Nuts (Soak in warm water for 30 minutes before grinding)
2 tbsp Poppy Seeds (Also known as Posto. Soak with cashews.)
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About Chicken Chaap, Steamed Basmati Rice, Dal Tadka and Baingan Bharta
Creamy Chicken Chaap with smoky Baingan Bharta and fiber-rich dal - a gut-friendly, soul-satisfying feast!
This bihari dish is perfect for lunch. With 1909.27 calories and 105.55999999999999g of protein per serving, it's a nutritious choice for your meal plan.
84gfat
1.5 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder (Adjust for desired color and mild heat)
1 tsp Garam Masala Powder
0.25 tsp Mace Powder
0.25 tsp Nutmeg Powder
1.5 tsp Salt (Or to taste)
1 tsp Sugar
2 tbsp Ghee
0.25 cup Vegetable Oil
10 strand Saffron Strands
2 tbsp Warm Milk (For soaking saffron)
1 tsp Kewra Water (Also known as Kewda water)
4 piece Green Cardamoms
4 piece Cloves
1 inch Cinnamon Stick
1 cup Warm Water (Use as needed for gravy consistency)
Instructions
1
Prepare Pastes and Marinate Chicken
Make a few deep slits in each chicken piece. In a large bowl, combine the chicken with whisked curd, ginger paste, garlic paste, roasted besan, salt, turmeric powder, and Kashmiri red chili powder. Mix well to coat.
Cover the bowl and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight for the best flavor.
Soak cashew nuts and poppy seeds in warm water for 30 minutes. Drain and grind them together into a very smooth paste, adding a little water if needed.
Separately, grind the onions into a smooth paste.
Soak the saffron strands in 2 tablespoons of warm milk and set aside.
2
Cook the Masala Base
Heat vegetable oil and ghee together in a wide, heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat.
Add the whole spices: green cardamoms, cloves, and the cinnamon stick. Sauté for about 30 seconds until they become fragrant.
Add the onion paste and fry, stirring frequently, for 10-12 minutes until it turns golden brown and the raw smell is gone.
Add the cashew and poppy seed paste. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly, until the paste thickens and oil begins to separate from the sides of the pan.
3
Sear and Simmer the Chicken
Carefully place the marinated chicken pieces in the pan. Increase the heat to medium-high and sear them for 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a light brown color.
Pour in any remaining marinade from the bowl. Mix everything gently to combine with the masala base.
Sprinkle in the mace powder, nutmeg powder, and sugar. Stir well.
Add about 1 cup of warm water, stir, and bring the gravy to a gentle simmer.
4
Slow Cook the Chaap
Reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid.
Allow the chicken to slow cook for 25-30 minutes, or until it is completely tender and cooked through. The gravy will thicken and a layer of oil will float on top.
Stir gently every 7-8 minutes to prevent the nut paste from sticking to the bottom and burning.
5
Finish and Serve
Once the chicken is cooked, turn off the heat.
Gently stir in the garam masala powder, the saffron-infused milk, and the kewra water.
Cover the pan again and let the dish rest for 10 minutes. This allows the final aromas to meld and the flavors to deepen.
Serve hot with Kolkata-style biryani, naan, or parathas.
Servings
4
Serving size: 1 serving
262cal
5gprotein
55gcarbs
1gfat
Ingredients
1.5 cup Basmati Rice (Use good quality, aged basmati rice for best results)
2.25 cup Water (For the absorption cooking method)
0.75 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
1 tsp Ghee (Optional, for flavor and to prevent sticking)
Instructions
1
Rinse and Soak the Rice (35 minutes)
Place the basmati rice in a large bowl. Add cold water and gently swirl the rice with your fingers. Drain the cloudy water. Repeat this process 3-4 times until the water runs mostly clear. This removes excess starch and prevents stickiness.
Cover the rinsed rice with fresh water and let it soak for 30 minutes. Soaking allows the grains to absorb water, ensuring they cook evenly and elongate beautifully.
After 30 minutes, drain the rice completely using a fine-mesh sieve and set aside.
2
Cook the Rice (15 minutes)
In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, combine the drained rice, 2.25 cups of fresh water, salt, and ghee (if using).
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, uncovered.
As soon as it boils, give it one gentle stir, then immediately reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting. Cover the saucepan tightly with the lid.
Let the rice simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until all the water has been absorbed. Do not lift the lid during this time to prevent steam from escaping.
3
Rest and Fluff (10 minutes)
Turn off the heat but leave the saucepan on the stove, still covered. Let the rice rest and steam for 10 minutes. This step is crucial for finishing the cooking process and achieving a perfect texture.
After resting, remove the lid. Use a fork to gently fluff the rice, separating the long, delicate grains.
Serve hot as a perfect accompaniment to curries, dals, or grilled dishes.
3 cup Water (for pressure cooking, plus more as needed)
0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Salt (or to taste)
2 tbsp Ghee (divided)
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
0.5 tsp Mustard Seeds
1 medium Onion (finely chopped)
1 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
2 pcs Green Chili (slit lengthwise)
1 medium Tomato (finely chopped)
0.25 tsp Hing (asafoetida)
2 pcs Dried Red Chili (whole)
0.5 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder (for color, adjust to taste)
0.5 tsp Garam Masala
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (freshly chopped, for garnish)
1 tsp Lemon Juice (optional, for a tangy finish)
Instructions
1
Pressure Cook the Dal
Rinse the toor dal thoroughly under cold running water until the water runs clear. Drain.
Place the rinsed dal in a pressure cooker. Add 3 cups of water, turmeric powder, and 1/2 tsp of salt.
Secure the lid and pressure cook on medium-high heat for 4-5 whistles, or about 15 minutes, until the dal is completely soft and mushy.
Allow the pressure to release naturally. This extra time helps the dal become even creamier.
Once the pressure has subsided, open the cooker and whisk the dal gently until it reaches a smooth, consistent texture. If it's too thick, add a little hot water to reach your desired consistency.
2
Prepare the Masala Base
Heat 1 tbsp of ghee in a separate pan or kadai over medium heat.
Add 1/2 tsp of cumin seeds and let them sizzle.
Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent.
Add the ginger-garlic paste and slit green chilies. Cook for another minute until the raw smell disappears.
Stir in the chopped tomatoes and the remaining 1/2 tsp of salt. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down and the mixture becomes pulpy.
2 pcs Green Chili (finely chopped, adjust to taste)
3 medium Tomato (finely chopped)
0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Red Chili Powder (adjust to spice preference)
1.5 tsp Coriander Powder
1.25 tsp Salt (or to taste)
0.75 tsp Garam Masala
3 tbsp Coriander Leaves (freshly chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Fire-Roast the Eggplant
Wash and thoroughly dry the eggplant. Make 4-5 deep slits lengthwise into the eggplant without cutting all the way through.
Rub 1 tsp of vegetable oil all over the eggplant's skin. This helps the skin char evenly and peel off easily.
Place the eggplant directly on a medium gas flame. Using tongs, rotate it every 2-3 minutes to ensure it cooks evenly on all sides. Continue roasting for 12-15 minutes until the skin is completely blackened and charred, and the flesh feels very soft when poked with a knife.
Carefully remove the eggplant from the flame and place it on a plate. Let it cool for 10 minutes until it's safe to handle.
2
Prepare the Eggplant Pulp
Once the eggplant has cooled, gently peel off all the charred skin. The skin should come off easily. Discard the skin.
Place the roasted eggplant pulp in a bowl. Using a fork or a potato masher, mash it well to a coarse or smooth consistency, as you prefer. Set aside.
3
Sauté the Masala Base
Heat mustard oil in a kadai or heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat until it just begins to smoke. This step is important to remove the oil's pungency.
Pour this onion-tomato masala into the cooked dal. Add the garam masala, stir well, and let it simmer on low heat for 5 minutes for the flavors to meld.
3
Prepare the Final Tempering (Tadka)
In a small tadka pan or small skillet, heat the remaining 1 tbsp of ghee over medium heat until hot.
Add the mustard seeds and the remaining 1/2 tsp of cumin seeds. Allow them to crackle and splutter, which should take about 30 seconds.
Add the whole dried red chilies and hing (asafoetida). Sauté for just 10-15 seconds, being careful not to burn them.
Turn off the heat completely. Immediately add the Kashmiri red chili powder to the hot ghee and give it a quick swirl. This prevents the powder from burning and turning bitter.
4
Combine and Serve
Immediately pour the sizzling hot tempering over the simmering dal. You should hear a satisfying sizzle as the tadka hits the dal.
Stir gently to incorporate the tempering. Stir in the optional lemon juice if using.
Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
Serve hot with steamed basmati rice, jeera rice, or fresh rotis.
Reduce the heat slightly and add the cumin seeds. Let them sizzle and become fragrant for about 30 seconds.
Add the finely chopped onions and sauté for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and golden brown.
Add the chopped ginger, garlic, and green chilies. Sauté for another minute until the raw aroma disappears.
Add the finely chopped tomatoes and cook for 7-9 minutes, stirring and mashing with your spoon, until they break down completely and become soft and pulpy.
Add the turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt. Mix well and cook the masala for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the oil begins to separate from the mixture at the sides of the pan. This indicates the masala is well-cooked.
4
Combine and Finish the Bharta
Add the mashed eggplant pulp to the cooked masala in the pan.
Stir thoroughly to combine the eggplant with the spices, breaking up any large chunks.
Cook on low-medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the smoky eggplant to absorb all the flavors of the masala.
Sprinkle the garam masala over the bharta and give it a final mix.
5
Garnish and Serve
Turn off the heat. Garnish generously with fresh chopped coriander leaves.
Serve Baingan Bharta hot with fresh roti, paratha, naan, or as a side with dal and rice.