Chicken chettinad is a spicy chicken curry prepared with fresh curry leaves and other spices which taste rich as a side dish for roti/rice, chapati.The word ‘Chettinad’ means a social caste specialized in preparation of food. The Chettinads are considered master chef and there cuisine is one of the spiciest and aromatic in India. Chicken chettinad is a very well known dish.

Preparation time – 15 min

Cooking time – 20 to 25 min

Serves – 6 to 8

Ingredients: 

Chicken – 1 kg

Onion – 3 medium size (chopped)

Tomato – 3 medium (chopped)

Green chilies – 2 nos (chopped)

Ginger – 2 inches

Garlic – 15 cloves

Turmeric powder – 1 tsp

Chili powder – 1 tsp

Coriander powder – 1 tsp

Salt to taste

Oil to fry

Ingredients for powder -1:

Cumin(jeera) seed – 1 1/2 tsp

Funnel seeds/soumf – 1 tsp

Cinnamon – 2 pieces

Cardamom – 2 nos

Pepper – 1 tsp

Nutmug – 1/2 piece

Javitri/mace – 2 small pieces

Ingredients for powder -2:

Curry leaves – 1 cup

How to prepare or make chettinad chicken – 

Heat a kadai add oil in it, when oil becomes hot add green chilies, onion and saute till it is translucent. Add ginger garlic paste and fry for a while.

Add chilli powder, daniya powder and turmeric powder fry for a while add chopped tomatoes.

Mix altogether add chicken pieces and salt to taste in to it, cook till water evaporates fully. Add one cup of water and close the kadai cook in a low flame  till the chicken is 3/4th done.

Mean while take a pan dry roast the ingredients for powder -1 and make a coarse powder of it in a mixer jar. Keep aside.

In the same pan dry fry the curry leaves (powder -2) till crispy in a low flame (Note- not to burn or over fry curry leaves as it gives bitter taste to the curry). Take a mixer jar add the roasted curry leaves and make a coarse powder of it and keep it aside.

When chicken is yet to be done add the powder -1 and close the kadai with lid, cook till the curry is thick and it is done.

Add powder-2 of curry leaves to it.

Mix altogether and turn of the flame. Transfer it to the serving bowl and enjoy Chicken chittnad with rice/roti/chapati.