Chettinad Pepper Chicken

Ingredients :
Chicken :1/2kg
Onion :2nos (large,finely chopped)
Tomatoes :2nos(Medium,finely,chopped)
Ginger garlic paste :2tsp
Chili powder :21/2tsp
Turmeric powder :1tsp
Coriander powder :1tbsp
Whole Pepper corns (crushed) :2tbsp or according to tolerance level
Cinnamon :2sticks
Cardamom :2pods
Clove :2nos
Bay leaf : 1no
Fennel seeds :1tsp
Curry leaf :1sprig
Lemon Juice :1/2tsp (optional)
Oil :3tbsp

Method of Preparation:
1.Clean & wash the chicken pieces with turmeric powder and drain it.
2.Marinate the chicken for 1 hour with chili powder,1/2tsp turmeric powder,1tsp ginger garlic paste and salt as required.
3.Heat a kadai with oil and add Cinnamon,Cardamom,cloves,fennel seeds and bay leaves and saute for a minute.
4.Add finely chopped onion and sauté till onion turns to translucent,then add ginger garlic paste. saute well so that the pastes don?t get burnt.
5.Add chopped tomato pieces and smash it using the ladle, Now add the coriander powder and mix well.
6.Add ¼ cup of water into the masala and reduce the flame to medium.
7.Close the kadai and let the masal get cooked for 5 minutes until the oil separates. 8.Add the marinated chicken pieces and sauté nicely till the moisture in the chicken comes out. Now there will be enough water in the chicken to get cooked.
9.Adjust the salt and close the kadai in medium flame and cook for 8to10 minutes. Check that the chicken pieces are cooked well, if not cook for some more time.
10.When the chicken is cooked,add the crushed pepper corns on top and mix well.
11.Add the lemon juice after switching off the stove.
12.Garnish with coriander leaves.