Craving that rich, aromatic, perfectly spiced chicken curry that makes your taste buds sing? Chicken masala is a much-loved South Asian classic, known for its deep, generous sauce and layered flavours. Many people assume you need a whole shelf of spices and hours at the stove to get it right, but we have a secret that changes everything: Shan Chicken Masala Mix.
This expertly blended spice mix is your shortcut to a brilliant chicken masala every time. Shan has carefully balanced red chilli, coriander, star anise and cardamom to give you that deep, full-bodied, authentic flavour without the faff. Let us show you how easy it is to cook a memorable meal that will impress family and friends alike.
Recipe: Creamy, Authentic Chicken Masala with Shan
This recipe is easy to follow and tastes as if it came straight from a restaurant in Lahore or Delhi. All the flavour magic comes from Shan's ready-made mix!
Serves 4
Prep time: 20 minutes (plus at least 30 minutes marinating)
Cooking time: 30–35 minutes
Ingredients
- 800 g boneless chicken thighs, cut into 2–3 cm pieces
- 1 packet (50 g) Shan Chicken Masala Mix
- 200 ml plain yoghurt (full-fat works best)
- 2 tbsp cooking oil or ghee
- 2 large brown onions, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
- 2 cm fresh ginger, finely grated
- 1 tin (400 g) chopped tomatoes
- 100 ml water or chicken stock
- A pinch of sugar (optional, to balance the acidity of the tomatoes)
- Fresh coriander to garnish
Method
- Step 1: Marinate the chicken
- In a bowl, mix the chicken pieces with the yoghurt and the whole packet of Shan Chicken Masala Mix. Make sure every piece is well coated. Cover and leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes – ideally a couple of hours for maximum flavour.
- Step 2: Build the base
- Heat the oil or ghee in a large casserole or frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and fry until soft and golden brown, about 8–10 minutes, stirring now and then.
- Step 3: Add the aromatics
- Add the grated garlic and ginger to the onion and fry for another minute until wonderfully fragrant.
- Step 4: Cook the chicken
- Turn the heat up slightly and add the marinated chicken. Fry until browned on all sides.
- Step 5: Make the sauce
- Pour in the chopped tomatoes and the water (or stock). Stir well to combine and add a pinch of sugar if you like. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat.
- Step 6: Simmer
- Cover and simmer for about 15–20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened and turned rich. Stir occasionally.
- Step 7: Serve
- Taste and adjust with a little salt if needed, bearing in mind the Shan mix already contains salt. Scatter over plenty of fresh chopped coriander and serve straight away.
Serving suggestions
Classic chicken masala is gorgeous with fluffy basmati rice or freshly baked naan to mop up all that lovely sauce. A spoonful of cooling raita (yoghurt with mint and cucumber) on the side balances the heat perfectly.
Ready to Taste Real Chicken Masala?
Forget long lists of hard-to-find spices and hours of prep. Shan Chicken Masala Mix gives you a well-balanced blend of quality spices for a reliably delicious result. It's the easy way to make a rich, aromatic and seriously tasty chicken dish in your own kitchen. Let Shan do the hard work while you enjoy the cooking – and the flavours.
Click here to buy Shan Chicken Masala Mix and start your culinary journey to South Asia today!
