Heat oil in a saucepan. Add in the whole masalas and fry till a nice aroma fill the kitchen, around 2 minutes.
Add in the onions and saute till soft. Add in the ginger garlic pastes and saute till the raw smell is gone, around 4-5 minutes.
Add in the masala powders and saute till the masalas are roasted well. Ensure that you do not burn the masalas, just saute till it becomes a nice brown color.
Now add in the tomatoes and the chicken and cook till the chicken is done. Add little water if needed.
Finally adjust the salt, add in the pepper powder and the lime juice and mix well.
Serve warm garnished with curry leaves - with rice, chapathis, porottas - the call is yours!