Dum Ka Murgh (Lagan Ka Murgh) Recipe

Dum ka Murgh is also popularly known as Lagan ka Murgh in Hyderabad which is actually slow cooked marinated chicken in cashew and poppy gravy. The chicken is marinated in curd/yogurt and spices and later slow cooked which gives a rich colour and texture to the gravy. Dum ka Murgh is one of the most favourite chicken dish in my family and I often make when I have guests at home. Course : Lunch Ingridients : 1 kg Chicken , cut into medium pieces 4 Onions , finely chopped 1 teaspoons Ginger , paste 1 teaspoons Garlic , paste 1/2 cup Poppy seeds , soaked in water 1/2 cup Cashew nuts , blanched 3 Green Chillies Oil , as required 2 tablespoons Coriander (Dhania) Leaves , chopped For marination 1/2 cup Curd (Dahi / Yogurt) 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder (Haldi) 2 teaspoon Red Chilli powder 1-1/2 tablespoons Coriander Powder (Dhania) 2 tablespoons Mustard oil 1 teaspoon Lemon juice 1 teaspoon Salt 1 teaspoon Ginger Garlic Paste Whole spices 2 Bay leaf (tej patta) 4 Cardamom (Elaichi) Pods/Seeds 2 Black cardamom (Badi Elaichi) 1 inch Cinnamon Stick (Dalchini) 1/2 teaspoon Ajwain (Carom seeds) 1 teaspoon Mace (Javitri) 4 Cloves (Laung) 4 Whole Black Peppercorns Instructions To begin making the Dum Ka Murgh recipe, wash and strain the chicken nicely. In a mixing bowl, add chicken with all the ingredients mentioned under Marinade.Mix well and cling wrap the bowl, refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours.In a heavy bottomed pan, heat oil and add all the whole spices and let them crackle.Now add finely chopped or ground onion and saute till raw smell goes off.Add ginger garlic paste and fry everything till golden in colour.Now add the marinated chicken along with the curd mix and turn the flames high so that the curd leaves water.Once the curd starts reducing, turn the flame low and let the chicken cook with lid covered. This may take 20-30 minutes.Meanwhile take soaked poppy seeds and blanched cashews in a grinder jar and grind to make a smooth and fine paste.Once the chicken is slow cooked, add the cashew and poppy paste and mix nicely.Adjust salt and add little water to make a thick curry. Cover the lid and let the chicken cook for another 7 to 8 minutes.Turn off the gas and garnish the Lagan ka Murgh with broken cashew chunks and fresh coriander.Garnished with cashews chunks and coriander, Dum ka Murgh goes best when served with Roomali Roti, Mandey or Butter Naan.