Chicken Chettinad – a chicken dish from Tamil Nadu
2015-10-06- Cuisine: Indian
- Course: Main Course
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Yield : 1 Kg
- Servings : 4
- Prep Time : 30m
- Cook Time : 30m
- Ready In : 60m
A spicy dish for special occasions
This spicy curry laced with onions and coconut, the Chicken Chettinad gravy, is one of the finest and most authentic chicken curry recipe that I have made. You can make this curry with items available in any Indian Kitchen and I am sure this Chicken Chettinad recipe will be one that you will make for all important occasions.
Tips
If you like less spicy curries, use dried Kashmiri red chilies and remove seeds from them. You will get the colour and flavour without the heat of chilies in the curry.
Regional Cuisine of Tamil Nadu
Over a period of time, each geographical area where Tamils have lived has developed its own distinct variant of the common dishes in addition to dishes native to itself. The four divisions of ancient Tamilakam are the primary means of dividing Tamil cuisine. The Chettinad region comprising Karaikudi and adjoining areas is known for both traditional vegetarian dishes like idiyappam, uthappam, paal paniyaram and non-vegetarian dishes made primarily using Chicken and mutton. Chettinad cuisine has gained popularity in non-Tamil speaking areas as well. Madurai, Tirunelveli and the other southern districts of Tamil Nadu are known for non-vegetarian food made of mutton, chicken, fish. Parota made with maida or all-purpose flour, and loosely similar to the north Indian wheat flour-based Paratha, is served at food outlets in Tamil Nadu. Read more at Wikipedia
Chicken Chettinad – A chicken dish from Tamil Nadu
Ingredients
- Chicken 1 kg cut into pieces (without skin)
- Curry leaf 1 bunch
- Onions 3 chopped finely
- Tomatoes 4 boiled, skinned and chopped
- Red Chili powder 1 Tsp
- Turmeric 1/2 Tsp
- Poppy Seeds 2 Tsp
- Coriander Seeds 1 Tbsp
- Fennel seeds 1 Tbsp
- Cumin Seeds 1 Tsp
- Cinnamon 1"
- Cardamom 3
- Whole Cloves 5
- Dried Red Chile 4-5
- Peppercorns 6-8
- Ginger 1 Tbsp chopped finely
- Garlic 1 Tbsp chopped finely
- Coconut 1.5 cups (fresh coconut grated)
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- Oil 7-8 Tbsp
- Salt to taste
Method
Step 1
In 1 Tbsp oil fry cumin seeds, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, whole cloves, cardamoms,whole red chilies, peppercorns, cinnamon for a few seconds. Add chopped ginger and garlic and fry some more. After the ginger garlic get lightly fried, add poppy seeds and fresh coconut. Fry for about a minute on low flame and add 1/4 cup of warm water to soften the masalas.
Step 2
Allow the masalas to cool and grind it to a fine paste.
Step 3
Heat the remaining oil and fry chopped onions. After the onions get well browned, add turmeric, red chili powder, half the curry leaves and the masala paste. Fry everything on low till oil separates. Keep sprinkling water as you fry the masala, this helps in blending the flavors and making the curry delightfully fragrant.
Step 4
After the masala is well fried, add chicken and chopped tomatoes. You won't be required to add water if you add tomatoes at this stage and the chicken will cook in the oil and tomatoes. If you do require to add water you can, but remember to add warm water. Add salt and allow chicken to cook completely on low flame.
Step 5
After the chicken is cooked through, turn off the heat and add lemon juice and the remaining curry leaves.
Step 6
Serve hot garnished with the a few curry leaves.
Serving Suggestions
While Chicken Chettinad is typically served with steamed rice, it also tastes good with rotis. You can also serve it with dosa, or neer dosa.
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posted by Divya on May 26, 2021
This looks so delicious! I did have a question about the amount of chicken to use. Is that 1 kg?
posted by Swati Sani on May 26, 2021
Thank you. I am glad you liked it. Yes, the chicken is 1 kg as mentioned in the ingredients.
posted by Priyanka Malagi on August 23, 2019
Hi Swati! I made chicken chettinad today as per recipe . It turned out fabulously. I’m really grateful for the easy to understand and fool proof recipes. . Looking forward to trying out some other mouth watering dishes from you. Keep up the great work!
posted by R RAMCHANDRAN on April 29, 2019
I tried making it… Mmmmmm… Excellent recipe…
Thanks a lot for sharing…