Chicken Chukka

35m
Serves 3
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Directions

  1. 1Add coconut oil to a pan.
  2. 2Add finely chopped onions to the pan.
  3. 3Give the onions a stir.
  4. 4Add fresh curry leaves to the pan.
  5. 5Add green chilies to the pan.
  6. 6Stir the ingredients in the pan, ensuring the onions are sweated and translucent, not browned.
  7. 7Add diced chicken thighs to the pan once the onions are translucent.
  8. 8Add turmeric powder to the chicken.
  9. 9Add Kashmiri red chili powder to the chicken.
  10. 10Stir and pan-roast the chicken until it's seared from all sides to lock in the juices.
  11. 11Add salt to the chicken.
  12. 12Add a splash of water to the chicken.
  13. 13In a heavy-bottomed roasting pan, add coriander seeds.
  14. 14Add fennel seeds to the pan.
  15. 15Add cumin seeds to the pan.
  16. 16Add cloves to the pan.
  17. 17Add cinnamon to the pan.
  18. 18Add a couple of bay leaves to the pan.
  19. 19Add green cardamom to the pan.
  20. 20Add black peppercorns to the pan.
  21. 21Add fresh curry leaves to the pan.
  22. 22Add dried red chilies to the pan.
  23. 23On a very low flame, toast the spices until a nice aroma is released.
  24. 24Remove the toasted spices from the pan and let them cool down.
  25. 25Grind the cooled spices to a fine powder.
  26. 26Add the ground aromatic masala into the chicken.
  27. 27Stir the chicken well to mix the spices into the sauce.
  28. 28Bring the sauce to a simmer.
  29. 29Cover the pan with a lid, set the gas to the lowest setting, and let it simmer for about 5 to 6 minutes.
  30. 30Add ginger-garlic paste to the chicken.
  31. 31Give it a stir.
  32. 32Bring the sauce to a simmer again.
  33. 33Cover the pan with a lid, put the gas setting to lowest, and let it cook on a low flame for about 5 to 6 minutes.
  34. 34Uncover the pan after about 6 minutes.
  35. 35Stir the chicken.
  36. 36Add freshly chopped coriander leaves to finish off the dish.
  37. 37Stir to combine the coriander leaves.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons coriander seeds
  • 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
  • 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
  • 3 cloves
  • 2 inches cinnamon sticks
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 5 green cardamom
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
  • 15 fresh curry leaves
  • 2 dried red chillies
  • 4 tablespoons coconut/vegetable oil
  • 1 medium-sized onion (finely chopped)
  • 2 green chillies (sliced and seeds removed)
  • 450 g diced chicken thighs
  • 2 teaspoons turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chilli powder
  • 2 tablespoons fresh ginger and garlic paste
  • to taste salt
  • as required warm water
  • freshly chopped coriander leaves

Equipment

panheavy-bottomed roasting panplatejarblenderlid

Tips

  • To avoid browning the onions, sweat them until translucent and cook them with the chicken.
  • Pan-roast the chicken until seared from all sides to lock in the juices.
  • Toast the spices on a very low flame until you get a nice aroma, being careful not to burn them.
  • The spice mix can be ground, stored in a jar, and used for lamb, chicken, or fish curries.