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Pepper Chicken Chettinad Dry
🇮🇳 Indian

Pepper Chicken Chettinad Dry

🇮🇳 Indian

Dry pepper chicken with curry-leaf crackle, the Tamil pepper chicken for rice plates. The Sunday-special format that every region does differently. Best with steamed rice and a cooling raita.

Prep 33 min Cook 33 min Serves 4 Medium

Ingredients

  • Chicken500 g, bone-in pieces
  • Ginger Garlic Paste2 tbsp
  • Garam Masala1 tsp
  • Saltto taste
  • Onion3, finely sliced
  • Tomato2, chopped
  • Green Chili2, slit
  • Coriander Powder2 tsp
  • Turmeric Powder1/2 tsp
  • Vegetable Oil3 tbsp
  • Curry Leaves2 sprigs
  • Shallots10, halved
  • Red Chili Powder1-2 tsp
  • Black Pepper1 tsp

Optional extras

  • Kasuri Methi1 tsp
  • Fresh Cilantro2 tbsp, chopped

Instructions

  1. 1

    Give the chicken a quick marinade — salt, turmeric, chili — so it is seasoned to the bone, not the surface.

  2. 2

    Soften the onions down slowly with a pinch of salt till they turn the colour of dark honey.

  3. 3

    Build the masala: paste, tomato, powders — cook until thick, glossy and clearly done.

  4. 4

    Stir the chicken and black pepper into the masala, cook five minutes till coated, then add water and simmer.

  5. 5

    Cook till the chicken is tender and the gravy coats a spoon; finish with garam masala, kasuri methi and cilantro.

Chef's tip

The oil rising to the surface means the masala is done — trust it.

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Watch how it's made

Video: Chettinad Dry Pepper Chicken · on YouTube