Chicken Chettinad

Chicken chettinad is no stranger among Indians. It's an authentic south-indian dish hails all the way from Tamil Nadu. A flavorful but spicy dish. I still remember when I had this dish from 'Anjappar restaurant' in Singapore. It was so spicy that we couldn't stop drinking water till morning. Sometimes I feel that the fiery taste predominates all other flavors in it. That was the first and last time I had this dish from a restaurant; didn't have the courage after that.. :)) But I used to make this at ma home so that I can adjust it to ma spice level and I guarantee you that it's such a fingerlicking dish that you guys will defenitely try it again.

I've seen many varieties of this dish. I saw this one in a tv show ,some 8 years back & don't remember whose recipe was this. But I strongly guess it was Laxmi Nair's ....not sure though.

 Ingredients:

For paste:

Coconut grated 3/4 cup
Poppy seed (roasted and soaked in water) 2 tsp
Red chilli -whole crushed 2
Cinnamon 1"
Cardamom green 2
Cloves 2
Fennel seeds (Saunf)- 1 tsp
Turmeric 1/2 tsp

Other Ingredients:

Chicken 500 gms
Oil 45ml
Sliced onion 1
Ginger garlic paste 1 tbsp
Star anise 1/2
Red chilli paste 2 tsp
Pepper powder 1 tbsp
Tomatoes chopped 3
Lime juice 1/2 no.
Coriander leaves 1 tbsp
Curry leaves 20
Garam masala 1/2 tsp
Water 2 cups
Salt to taste

Method:

1.Make paste out of paste ingredients.

2.Heat oil in a pan and saute Onions till golden brown.

3.Add ginger-garlic paste & stir fry for a minute.

4.Now add the grounded paste ,star anise,pepper powder & red chilli paste. cook for 2-3 minutes. If you are lazy to make paste of red chillies, then simply mix red chilli powder in a little water & keep it for sometime to soak. (just a substitute; but better to soak red chillies in water & make a paste of it)

5.Add the chicken ,mix well & cook in high heat for 5 minutes.

6.Stir in the chopped tomatoes and cook till masala leaves sides of the pan. Add 2 cups of water and salt; Let it cook till the chicken is done.

7.Add lime juice, curry leaves & garam masala. mix well.

8.Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with rotis or any pathiri. I love it neipathal always...