This recipe is from one of the most aromatic and spiciest cuisines of India - Chettinad! Chettinad cuisine, from the Chettinad region of the South Indian state Tamil Nadu, is known for its distinctly aromatic and spicy style. It has a lot of flavours going on, so finding the perfect blend of spices is the key.
Prep Time15mins
Cook Time30mins
Total Time1hr
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Servings: 4serving
Ingredients
500gramschicken
1teaspoonturmeric powder
1teaspoonlime juice
3mediumonions
1inchginger
6clovesgarlic
2sprigcurry leaves
2mediumtomatoes
2tablespoonoil
For Chettinad Spice Mix
1 1/2tablespooncoriander seeds
4dry red chilies
4cardamom
1teaspoonwhole black pepper
1teaspooncumin seeds
2teaspoonfennel seeds
1star anise
1inchcinnamon
4cloves
1/4cupgrated coconut
For garnishing
2sprigscoriander leaves (cilantro)
Instructions
Keep the whole spices ready.
Ingredients like cinnamon, cardamom and cloves, can significantly alter the flavour balance of the dish.
Take special care not to add more that the stipulated quantities in this recipe.
Wash the chicken pieces, and cut to small/medium sized pieces.
Thinly slice the onions. Finely chop tomatoes, ginger, and garlic.
Add turmeric, salt, lime juice to the chicken and mix well. Keep aside to marinate for 15 minutes.
Dry roast the spices in a pan, without the red chillies, on medium flame.
Once they start to turn brown, add chillies, and fry for 30 seconds while stirring frequently. The spices should turn golden brown.
Now add the grated coconut, stir well and fry till the mixture is evenly golden brown.
Keep the pan aside to cool.
In a pressure cooker, heat some oil and fry onions till they turn tender.
Add ginger, garlic and curry leaves. Fry for a couple of minutes.
Add the marinated chicken pieces and mix well.
Add chopped tomatoes, stir well, close the lid, and cook on a high flame on pressure cooker mode.
Cook until you get the first whistle. Switch off and set aside to cool.
Transfer the fried spices (it shouldn't be hot) to a mixer jar.
Blitz the fried spices in a mixer to fine powder (do not add water).
Once you have an evenly ground mixture, add 1/4 cup water and blend well.
Add more water (up to 1/2 cup) and blend till you get a smooth, paste-like consistency.
Now open the pressure cooker (Don't force open. Wait until the pressure is fully released), and transfer the contents to a pan.
Add the ground spice paste and mix well.
Simmer on a low flame for 10-15 minutes.
Add more water if required and reduce a little.
Check for salt.
Finely chop cilantro (coriander leaves) and garnish.
Serve hot with rice.
Notes
Cooking Tips
To balance the heat, I used 3 Kashmiri dry red chilies, and just one red hot chilly. If you like your Chicken Chettinad fiery, feel free to replace Kashmiri chilies with hotter variants.
I haven't used kalpasi (stone flower), one of the ingredients common in traditional Chettinad chicken recipes, in my recipe. If you can get hold of it, add 2-3 in step 7 along with ginger and garlic.