Chicken Masala Chili: The Keema Curry That Won Five Cook-Offs
Some recipes are good. A few are good enough to win, and then win again. Channi's Chicken Masala Chili won five cook-offs between 2014 and 2019, and it's still the heart of our menu. If you've never had a ground chicken keema curry that tastes like a chili champion, here's what you're missing and how to get it delivered with our meal builder.
Chili or curry? Yes.
In Indian kitchens, keema means minced meat. Keema curry is a home-cooking staple: ground meat simmered with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic and spices until everything melts into a rich, spoonable sauce.
In American kitchens, chili means a pot of ground meat, tomatoes and spice that people take very seriously, seriously enough to hold competitions.
The first time Channi tasted a great chili, she felt the connection right away: this could become something Indian. That's how she cooks. She tastes a flavor she loves and her heart tells her how to give it an Indian twist. The result is a dish that lives in both worlds. Her Chicken Masala Chili starts as a classic keema. It takes the deep, warming masala of North Indian cooking, adds the slow-simmered heartiness of a Mexican-style chili, and borrows a little from Italian kitchens too: tomato-forward and comforting like a long-cooked ragù.
Five cook-off wins (2014–2019)
Chili cook-offs are usually won by beef, beans and smoke. A chicken chili seasoned with garam masala had no business winning. It won anyway, again and again.
What makes it different
- Ground chicken, slow-cooked. Lean but rich, it soaks up every layer of spice.
- A real masala base. Tomatoes and aromatic Indian spices bloomed in olive oil, never seed oil.
- Mild, layered heat. Bold flavor without overwhelming spice. Kids eat it, and so do chili purists.
- No added sugar, gluten-free, nut-free, no seed oils. Comfort food you can feel good about.
How to eat it
We serve every Chicken Masala Chili with 8 oz of cumin basmati rice. You can swap the rice for roti or garlic naan. Our customers don't stop there. Some favorites:
- Chili bowl: Top with shredded cheese, sour cream or yogurt, and scallions.
- Keema tacos: Spoon it into warm tortillas with onion, cilantro and lime.
- Masala nachos: Layer it over chips with melted cheese and jalapeños.
- Keema pav-style sliders: Pile it onto buttered, toasted soft rolls.
- Stuffed baked potato: A loaded potato, Channi-style.
We're writing a full guide to the many ways to eat Chicken Masala Chili, so stay tuned.
Frequently asked questions
What is keema curry?
Keema curry is an Indian dish of minced (ground) meat simmered with onions, tomatoes and spices. Channi's version uses ground chicken.
Is Chicken Masala Chili spicy?
It's mild. It's full of flavor and warming spice, but not hot.
Is it gluten-free?
Yes. It's gluten-free, nut-free, and made with no added sugar and no seed oils.
How do I get it delivered?
Add it to any box in our meal builder. We deliver across Los Angeles and Orange County, Friday to Sunday.
Taste the five-time champion
Add Chicken Masala Chili to your box → Free delivery on every box. Read more about the story of Channi's Kitchen.
