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Monday, October 25, 2010

Dry Chicken Curry "Chettinad Chicken Chukka"

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"Chukka" and Chettinad Cuisine: Chettinad cuisine originates in Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu state in South India. Chettinad cuisine is one of the spiciest and the most aromatic in India.Chettinad cuisine is famous for its use of a variety of spices used in preparing mainly non-vegetarian food. The dishes are hot and pungent with fresh ground masala and the meat is restricted to fish, prawn, lobster, crab, chicken and lamb[Source: Wiki]
Chukka is a dry curry and it could be made with Lamb/Chicken/Pork/Beef. Even though boneless meat is used I like to use chicken thighs with bones for moistness and flavor. And this is how I do it. I usually have this as a side for rice but this can be served as appetizers as well. Nice, huh?While this curry should be really dry, I like mine better if its coated with a little gravy so it doesn't stick in my craw.
Ingredients:
  • 6 Chicken Thighs with bones
  • 3/4 Large Onion,  Pureed
  • 1-1/2 tsp Ginger/Garlic paste
  • 2 Small tomatoes(like Campari) 
  • 1/4 Cup "Canned Crushed" tomatoes (for Color)
  • 1/2 tsp( or more) Chili Powder/Cracked Pepper Or 1/2 minced Jalepeno
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
For the Marinade/Rub:
  • 2 tsp Tandoori Powder(Badshaah) or Chicken Masala Powder(Sakthi) [Available at Indian Stores]
  • 1 tsp Red Chili Powder
  • 1 tbsp Boar's Head Yellow Cornmeal
  • 1/2 tsp Rice flour (optional)
  • 1 tsp Coriander Powder
  • A pinch of Turmeric Powder
  • 1-1/2 tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 tsp Olive Oil
  • 1/4 tsp Cracked pepper
  • A pinch of salt
Procedure:
  • Remove the skin from the chicken thighs. 
  • Clean and halve the chicken thighs.
  • Mix all the ingredients under "Marinade/Rub" together. It should be a thick paste.
  • Rub the marinade over the chicken pieces and marinate for at least 2 hours. The more time the better.
  • Heat a tbsp of Oil in a wide non-stick pan. Bring it to the point where it smokes.
  • Sear the chicken on both sides.This helps the chicken retain its moisture.Do this in batches.Set aside.
  • In the same pan, add pureed onions, ginger/garlic paste and fry till the onions lose raw smell.[Don't add oil as the pan will have some fat from the chicken.]
  • Add the crushed canned tomatoes,the pureed fresh tomatoes, pepper/chili powder and salt.
  • Add 1/2 cup water to the pan and stir to combine.
  • Check for taste.
  • Place the chicken pieces in the pan.
  • Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes on medium flame.
  • Lower the flame to low-medium and allow the moisture to evaporate completely until the gravy clings to the chicken, like in the picture.
  • Switch off stove and serve warm by itself or with a bowl of white rice or with sambhar rice.
Enjoy!
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25 comments:

  1. Looks so good, I too like when the sauce is a bit coated over tge chicken pieces.

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  2. மிகவும் அருமையாக இருக்கு,உடனே செய்துவிடனும் போல இருக்கு...

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  3. Love the spicyness of this dish. It looks amazing!!

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  4. Hi,

    The chicken chukka looks so yummy...Can i have a bite???!!:)

    Dr.Sameena@

    www.myeasytocokrecipes.blogspot.com

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  5. that looks so very tempting n yum!!..was craving for chicken on sunday..but couldn't get any!!...would loved to have this!

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  6. I have heard so much about this Chicken Chukka, must dry. I am sure it will taste great with plain rice and dal. Love the first photograph.

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  7. Lipsmacking and mouthwaterinc chicken chukka, very tempting..

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  8. Delicious chicken..So tempting and spicy..yummy

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  9. ok! am inviting myself over...;-) awesome ...i can smell the aroma...!!

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  10. These remind me a lot of these buffalo fried chicken wings that my dad always gets. Unlike most chicken wings they made using a dry rub. THey looks super flavorful!

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  11. Love d gorgeous color..looks hot n spicy...

    do visit mine..whenever time permits..

    Tasty Appetite

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  12. Very tempting stuff..... I just wanted to nibble & relish on that stuff.... Mouthwatering..... :)

    Happy Celebrations!!!!!

    Ash....
    (http://hastkala-oceanichope.blogspot.com/)

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  13. beautiful clicks, delicious chicken recipe, yummy

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  14. can smell the aroma and taste the chicken. love it.

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  15. U just made me salivate badly CL!!! That chicken is soooo mouthwatering ya! Gimme some pls ;)

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  16. Wowo look at that chicen.u r killing me..very tempting !!
    Saw ur pics in FB,nice pics.

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  17. Finger licking good chicken chukka CL.It's so succulent n authentic too .Pass on some :)

    http://sanscurryhouse.blogspot.com

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  18. oh am drooling over here, hungry hungry! Slurp :)

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  19. wonderful dish! hubbs and I could feast on this all day :)

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XoXo, Cool Lassi(e)