Bengali Style Chicken Rezala

Chicken Rezala is a traditional Bengali dish known for its rich and flavorful white gravy made. It  is a creamy and rich Mughlai curry prepared with chicken, yogurt, cashews, poppy seeds, and a few whole spices

There are another two versions of this curry which are  Bhopali version,  and Bangladeshi version. Rezala curry is traditionally made using mutton (goat meat) but here is a Bengali Style Chicken Rezala Recipe.

Ingredients for Bengali Style Chicken Rezala

For the Marinade:

• 1 kg chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 cup yogurt (curd)
• 1 tablespoon ginger paste
• 1 tablespoon garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon white pepper powder
• Salt to taste

For the Gravy:

• 3 tablespoons ghee or vegetable oil
• 2-3 green cardamom pods
• 2-3 cloves
• 1-inch cinnamon stick
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon ginger paste
• 1 teaspoon garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg powder
• 1/2 teaspoon mace powder
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Salt to taste
• Sugar to taste
• Chopped fresh cilantro (coriander leaves) for garnishing

Preparing Instructions of Bengali Style Chicken Rezala :

1. Marination:

• In a bowl, mix yogurt, ginger paste, garlic paste, white pepper powder, and salt to create a smooth marinade.
• Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and ensure they are well coated.
• Let the chicken marinate for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight in the refrigerator.

2. Cooking the Chicken:

• Heat ghee or oil in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat.
• Add the green cardamom pods, cloves, and cinnamon stick to the hot oil. Sauté for a minute until you  smell their flavor. 
• When the smell comes out, add the finely chopped onion and sauté it until the onions become   golden brown.
• Add the ginger paste and garlic paste. Cook for a couple of minutes so that the raw smell of ginger and garlic disappears.

3. Spices and Cooking:

• Add cumin powder, coriander powder, nutmeg powder, and mace powder. Mix all these masala powder well and cook for a minute or two. 
• Add the marinated chicken pieces along with the marinade when the spices release their flavors. Cook the chicken until it turns white on the outside.

4. Simmering the Gravy:

• Lower the heat and cover the pan. Let the chicken cook in its own juices for about 15-20 minutes until it's tender and cooked through.
• Stir occasionally so that the gravy do not stick at the bottom  and the cooking is done evenly. 

5. Creamy Finish:

• Once the chicken is cooked, add the heavy cream to the pan and mix well.
• Adjust the salt and add a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors. Let it simmer for another 5-7 minutes.

6. Garnish and Serve:

• Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro (coriander leaves).
• Chicken Rezala is traditionally served with steamed rice, biryani, or naan.

Remember that cooking times and spice levels can be adjusted according to your taste preferences. Enjoy the rich and aromatic flavors of Chicken Rezala! 

 Recipe Card

Recipe: Chicken Rezala,    Course: Main Course,    Country of Origin: India,    Cuisine: Bengali,  Prep Time: 10 minutes,  Cook Time: 50 minutes,   Marination Time: 1 hour,  Total Time: 2 hours,  Servings: 4 people,   Calories: 363kcal