Wash and clean the chicken pieces. Keep aside.
Heat oil in a pan or kadai and add bay leaves followed by star anise and cinnamon stick.
Fry and add the finely chopped onions along with ginger garlic paste.
Saute till the raw smell of ginger garlic paste goes off and the color of onion changes.
Add the finely chopped tomatoes and saute till it turns soft.
Now add red chilli powder followed by coriander powder, turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp of pepper powder and the required amount of salt.
Mix well and cook till the oil separates from the gravy.
Add the washed chicken pieces and mix well.
Add the measured amount of water and cook till the chicken gets cooked.
Add the remaining pepper powder and cook it for another couple of minutes.
Once done, garnish with coriander leaves and switch off the flame.
Serve hot with Rice or Roti.