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Chettinad Chicken -

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Sinfully Spicy - Chettinad Chicken

Me & Kulsum always joke & tell each other that we are long-lost sisters, sisters who have never met or knew each other before our food blogs happened. We took off around a similar time frame in the blogging world and have been in touch for almost 2 years now. Sharing an unadulterated love for all things Indian - food, spices, culture & lifestyle, whenever we communicate via twitter or mails or comments, mostly, we end up saying "oh..I was thinking the same way too" :)..It’s like you read my mind & speak my heart! These are the reasons I adore blogging. You touch people & they form a beautiful part of your life.

Sinfully Spicy - Chettinad Chicken

Ingredients (Serves 3-4)

Marinate for 20 minutes:-

  • 2 lb/ 1 kg chicken drumsticks or thigh portions, skinned (use any dark meat portions, bone in pieces recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Spices to be Dry Roasted :-

  • 1.5 teaspoon white poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 2 teaspoon coriander seeds
  • 1.5 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 5 cloves
  • 10-12 dry red chilies (adjust to tolerance)
  • 4 whole green cardamom
  • ½ cup fresh grated coconut
  • Water for grinding (about ¼ cup)
For the Sauce:-
  • 4 tablespoon mustard/canola/vegetable oil
  • ½ cup sambhar onions, chopped
  • 2" cinnamon stick
  • 2 star anise
  • 2 tablespoon each grated fresh ginger & garlic
  •  8-10 curry leaves (available at indian stores)
  • 1.5 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to tolerance)
  • 1.5 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 cup tomatoes, chopped
  • 3-5 Thai green chilies, chopped fine (adjust to tolerance)
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (adjust to taste)
  • Fresh grated coconut (for garnish)
  • Chopped cilantro / curry leaves ( for garnish)

Notes:-  

  1. Sambhar Onions can be  substituted with shallots or equivalent quantity of chopped red onions.
  2. Fresh coconut can be substituted with unsweetened grated coconut.

Method :-

  • In a medium saucepan, first dry toast all the spices except fresh coconut for 2 minutes on low heat till you smell the aroma.
  • Next, add the grated coconut to the pan and toast till the coconut starts to change color lightly and drying out. About 8-10 minutes.
  • Once done, remove pan from heat & allow cooling. Grind the cooled spices & coconut to a paste using ¼ cup of water or as required for grinding. The paste doesn't have to be silky smooth. Set aside.
  • In a heavy bottomed pot, heat the oil on medium till it starts to smoke lightly. Add, chopped onions and cook with regular stirring till they are translucent but not browned. About 5-7 minutes.
  • Next, add the cinnamon stick & star anise and cook for 18-20 seconds till you smell the aroma of whole spices.
  • Add in the grated ginger and garlic, curry leaves & ground spice paste and red chili & turmeric powder. Cook for 2 minutes.
  • Next, reduce heat to low, add the chopped tomatoes, mix in & cook uncovered for at least 12-15 minutes with regular stirring till oil starts separating on sides of the pot.
  • Add in the marinated chicken & chopped green chilies next, mix, check the salt & adjust, increase heat to high and let cook for 3 minutes. Next, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot & let the chicken cook with the spices & its own juices for 12-15 minutes or till tender (This cooking time will depend on size of your chicken pieces)
  • Uncover the pot, check if the chicken pieces are tender else cook for another 2-3 minutes. Once chicken pieces are cooked, turn off the heat, add the lemon juice to liking, cover & let sit covered till ready to serve.
  • When ready to serve, garnish with chopped cilantro/ curry leaves/fresh coconut.Serve with warm rice.
Enjoy & Have a lovely week ahead everyone!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lynda

    What a beautiful photo! This looks wonderful.

    Reply

  3. Nishi

    What an awesome post Tanvi. Great photography and even greater write up as usual 🙂

    Reply

  4. Sukaina

    As I was saying to Kulsum, you two strike me as long lost sisters too. I always always order chettinad chickn in restaurants! No I can make it at home!

    Reply

  5. Notyet100

    Slurp,looks delicious,..luv the platter

    Reply

  6. Faith

    Simple and delicious! I love this meal ( actually, I love all of your food Tanvi). I am off to check your post.

    Reply

  7. Priya

    Omg, terrific chettinad chicken,seriouslt makes me hungry..

    Reply

  8. Kay aka Babygirl

    Tanvi, you have definitely outdone yourself. I mean wow. This Chettinad chicken looks absolutely delicious and wonderful. Definitely something to make for the winter time. I love it

    Reply

  9. Caroline

    Great guest post, Tanvi. This meal looks divine! xx

    Reply

  10. kankana

    Excellent guest post Tanvi. Blogging is indeed such a beautiful journey and if only i could explain it to my non blogging friends!
    I love any chicken curry which is spicy and this is one of my fav too... beautifully presented.

    Reply

  11. Rinku Naveen

    Wow! Tanvi lovely post and superb clicks!

    Reply

  12. Heavenly Housewife

    My curries are never this photogenic. I feel like I'm starving now that I've visited you LOL
    *kisses* HH

    Reply

  13. Ilke

    Heading over there...:) So nice to have a blogging sister like that!

    Reply

  14. Nash at Plateful

    It's so inspiring to read about the special connection between two of my favorite and most talented desi bloggers. A toast to your friendship girls! Hey Tanvi, I'm a hooker for chettinad flavors. So yum!

    Reply

  15. Shu Han

    that looks so amazing! I love indian food and this hits all the right notes!

    Reply

  16. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com

    Amazing recipe and beautiful photos Tanvi. Couldn't have expected less from you 🙂

    Reply

  17. torviewtoronto

    checked out your delicious post looks wonderful

    Reply

  18. Cindy

    This looks absolutely AMAZING!!

    Reply

  19. yummychunklet

    I love how delicious these chicken legs look in your photos! Yum!

    Reply

  20. Sweet Artichoke

    Your presentation and pictures are always beautiful! Very tempted to prepare it for Mr Artichoke 🙂

    Reply

  21. Priscilla-ShesCookin

    Congrats on the Top 9! You said all the right things: spicy, coconut, and curry! I'm headed over to Kulsum's blog now!

    Reply

  22. Tanvi

    Thank you so much everyone for stopping by and the kind words! Love you all!

    Reply

  24. Reem | Simply Reem

    What a terrific dish Tanvi..
    God I missed your posts for almost 10 days and now I am awarded with this.... YAY.....
    Beautiful pictures dear as usual...
    Lovely!!

    Reply

  25. Christine

    Congrats on Foodbuzz top 9!

    Reply

  27. Ana Helena Campbell

    What an beautiful dish. Your photos are great! Congratulation on the top 9. Well done!

    Reply

  28. Sudha

    I have been looking around for a Chettinad chicken recipe for quite some time now!Not that I didn't find it on the Net,but I felt your version was awesome!Thanks for the recipe and the dish looks marvellous:) Congrats on the Top 9!

    Reply

  31. Nami | Just One Cookbook

    I can't believe I missed this post! Wow how delicious! I didn't know you and Kulsum are so close! It's so nice you have 2 year of friendship already. What a great support to each other. Going over to her blog now.

    Reply

  32. Bree

    Looks fantastic!

    Reply

  33. Gayathri Ramdas Sreekanth

    The moment i saw this pic , i knew I had to make it. Made this yday and my fussy husband loved it !! 🙂 Have posted and linked it you as well... 🙂

    Reply

  34. Rheena

    Hi Tanvi...made this last weekend and it was awesome! thank you!

    Reply

  35. akshata

    A MUST TRY FOR ME..
    The site of it makes me hungry...

    Reply

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