Chettinad Chicken curry

Ingredients:

Chicken - 1/2 kg / 500 grams

Shallots /small onions – 1 cup sliced

Tomatoes - 2 medium size

Ginger garlic paste-2 tbsp

Green chillies- 3

Curry Leaves - a small handful

Oil - 2 tbsp

Black pepper powder-1 tsp

Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp

Salt to taste

Lemon Juice - 2 tbsp

Coriander Leaves to garnish

For making masala:

Coriander Seeds  - 3 tbsp

Dry Red Chilli pepper- 4 or 5 (to your spice level)

Fennel Seeds  - 2 tsp

Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp

Cinnamon Stick - 5 stick

Whole Peppercorns - 2 tsp

Cardamom Pods  - 5

Star Anise - 1 

Cloves - 4

Fresh Coconut - 1/4 cup

 Preparation:

Cut the chicken into medium size, marinate it with salt, turmeric powder, black pepper powder and lemon juice. Let it stand for 15 to 20 minutes.

For making the chettinad masala, you need to dry roast all the spices. Heat a pan or kadai put all the spices except coconut till it turns slightly brown. Now add in coconut and roast till the coconut turns light golden. Remove them to a mixer and grind them to a smooth paste. Add water accordingly.

Heat oil in a deep pan, when the oil heats up add in the sliced small onions and saute till it turns translucent.Add in curry leaves,green chilies sliced and ginger garlic paste. Saute for a couple of minutes.

Now add the marinated chicken and mix well.  You can see lot of water coming out of the chicken. Add the cubed tomatoes to it.  Also add the grinded chettinad masala,salt to taste and mix it well. Add water as required.  Reduce the flame and cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Once you find that the chicken pieces are almost cooked increase the flame so that the gravy becomes thick.When the gravy gets thicker turn off the heat and garnish it with coriander leaves.

Notes:

• As of my knowledge, chettinad chicken curry is really spicy. I reduced my spices especially pepper-cones. Some people grind green chilies along with ginger and garlic for make it spicier. 
• Small onions or shallots are always best for chettinad recipes. It tastes better.
• You can add water according to your desired consistency.  

This is such a mouth watering dish. Enjoy it !