Keralan chicken pepper fry

GBC Atul Chicken FILM 1080P 21 12 2021
Not yet rated

This deliciously simple dish from the southern Indian state of Kerala showcases one of its finest exports – black pepper – alongside a host of other aromatics. Ready in under an hour, the thick sauce clings to the chicken making it perfect for serving alongside breads or other side dishes.

Watch Atul and dozens of our other chefs show you how to cook the dishes they love as part of our Signature Series here.

First published in 2021

Ingredients

Metric

Imperial

Method

1

Heat a generous drizzle of oil in pan over a high heat, then once hot add the cloves, cinnamon, green cardamom and fennel seeds. Tip in the shallots and cook, stirring frequently, until the shallots soften slightly (around 2-3 minutes)

2

Add the curry leaves and a good pinch of salt and continue to cook until the onions are translucent and beginning to turn golden. Add the ginger-garlic paste and cook for a few more minutes until fragrant

3

Tip in the tomatoes and continue to cook until they begin to break down, adding a few splashes of water as you do so to help them form a sauce. Add the ground coriander, turmeric, chilli powder and black pepper and stir again – adding a touch more water and scraping the bottom of the pan to release any caramelised bits

4

Add the chicken and stir to coat the meat in the sauce. Turn down the heat, add another pinch of salt and gently simmer for 10 minutes

5

When the chicken is cooked, add the lemon juice and most of the chopped coriander. Serve with some more black pepper and the remaining coriander sprinkled over the top and some breads or rice to accompany

  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 1 handful of fresh coriander, chopped
  • flatbreads, such as Malabar parotta, or cooked rice, to serve

Combining the flavours of north, east and south India with the finest British produce, Atul Kochhar was the first ever Indian chef to receive a Michelin star in 2001.

Get in touch

Please sign in or register to send a comment to Great British Chefs.