Clean and cut chicken into medium sized pieces.
Take the raw ingredients: shallots, garlic, ginger and green chillies in a bowl.
Crush together shallots, garlic, ginger and green chillies.
Keep crushed mixture aside.
Heat oil in a heavy bottom vessel.
Add curry leaves and onion and saute, till they become soft.
Add all powders and stir once. Add chicken and tomatoes and allow it to boil. When it starts boiling, add salt.
Add the crushed shallot mixture and simmer for 1 minute. Cover and cook in simmer for 20 - 30 minutes.
When the oil separates, allow it to cook on a low flame for another 10 minutes to roast it.
:- Serve hot with boiled rice or rotis.