Malabari Chicken Curry

Kerala is the southernmost state of India famous for its food which is very hot and spicy and is generally fresh, aromatic and flavored with coconut, chilies, tamarind,  curry leaf, mustard seeds, and asafoetida. Keralites are mostly rice and fish eating people. 

Malabari chicken curry is a super delicious chicken preparation from Malabar, in which chicken cooked in coconut milk. The flavor of curry leaves and coconut oil gives amazing taste to this dish. You can substitute tamarind with vinegar or tomatoes, but there is no real substitute for curry leaf. 

Malabari Chicken Curry

Masala

Ingredients

1. Oil : 2 tbsp
2. Onion: 1/4 , large, finely sliced
3. Curry Leaves:  handful
4. Whole Coriander Seeds : 3 tbsp
5. Dry Red Chilies : 4-5 (or to taste)
6. Garlic Cloves : 6, large, chopped
7. Ginger : 1 tbsp, minced
8. Shredded Coconut :1/3 cup
9. Water : 1 cup

Procedure:

1.  Heat Oil in a pan on medium heat.
2. Once hot, add in the finely sliced Onions.
3. Add in the Curry Leaves and cook till the Onions become translucent.
4. Add in the Coriander Seeds and the Dry Red Chilies.
5. Cook for about 1-2 minutes.
6.  Add in the Garlic and the Ginger.
7. Allow this to cook till the Onions are caramelized and the whole mixture well done.
8. Add in the Coconut and allow it to toast and get a little golden in color.
9. Transfer, allow it to cool down and grind (to a fine paste) with 1 cup of Water, adding little at a time.

Curry

Ingredients:

1. Oil : 1 tbsp
2. Onion: 1/2 large, finely sliced
3. Green Chilies :6 or to taste, slit
4. Salt : as per taste
5. Tomatoes :2, medium, sliced
6. Turmeric Powder :1/2 tsp
7. Red Chilly Powder: 1 tsp
8. Chicken :1/2 kg
9. Water :  as needed
10. Coconut Milk: 1/4 Cup
11. Lemon: 1 no

Procedure

1. Marinate Chicken in lemon, red chilly powder and Turmeric powder for 15 to 20 mins
2. Heat Oil in a pan on medium heat.
3.  Add in the Onions and the Green Chilies and mix.
4. Sprinkle a little Salt to speed up the cooking process.
5. Allow the Onions to get a wonderful brown (not burnt) color.
6. Add in the Tomatoes and cook till they are all integrated with the Onions.
7. Lower the heat and add in the ground Masala.
8. Increase the heat a bit and allow the mixture to come to a boil.
9.  Do the taste test and adjust the spices as needed.
10. Allow it to come to a boil then add in the chicken.
11. The Chicken will change color from pink to white and is then sealed.
12.  Add coconut milk , make the heat low and add water you need to make gravy.
13.  Mix well and cover and allow the Chicken to cook.
14. For making it more rich add tadka of ghee, red chilly and curry leaves in it and enjoy with steamed rice.