Chicken Chalna [Chicken curry]

Chicken Chalna [Chicken Curry]

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 20 min
Ready In: 30 min

Ingredients:

• Grated coconut - 1 cup
• Saunf seeds [fennel] - 6 tsp
• Cashew - 10-12
• Ghee [clarified butter] - 1 tbsp
• Krambu [Clove] - 2
• Elakai [Cardamom] - 1
• Anise - 1
• Pattai [Cinnamon bark] - 1 small piece
• Green chili - 2
• Onion - 1 
• Chicken - 500 g
• Oil - 2 tbsp
• Turmeric - 1/4 tsp
• Red chili powder - 3 tsp
• Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
• Coriander seed powder - 2 tsp
• Salt - 1 tsp
• Ginger garlic paste - 1.5 tsp
• Fresh coriander leaves - for garnishing

Making the grated coconut, jeera seeds and cashew paste.

Directions:

1. Make a thick paste out of the grated coconut, cashew, and 2 tsp saunf seeds by grinding it in a mixer. 
2. Clean and chop the chicken into the desired size. Chop the onion into medium size pieces. 
3. Heat a pressure cooker with the ghee. Once the ghee is hot, add the clove, anise, remaining saunf seeds, cinnamon bark, and cardamom and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add the oil and wait until the oil has heated. Add the chopped onion and the green chili and fry until the onion is golden brown. Add the chicken and stir-fry. Add ginger-garlic paste, coriander seed powder, turmeric, red chili powder and salt. Mix thoroughly. 
4. Add water and pressure cook for 1 whistle and turn off the stove. 
5. Once the pressure is reduced, open the pressure cooker and add the grated coconut paste and mix it well. Heat the mixture on a low flame. Add 1 cup of water if needed. Add salt and red chili powder to taste. Add the fresh coriander leaves. Leave in low flame for 5 minutes and the chicken chalna is ready to be served!

Add ghee to a pressure cooker. Stir-fry the spices. Add oil and stir-fry the onion, green chili and chicken. 

Add the turmeric powder, coriander seed powder, garam masala powder, red chili powder, salt and ginger-garlic paste. Mix and add water. Pressure cook for 1 whistle. Add the coconut paste and coriander leaves and heat for 5 mins in a low flame.

Chicken Chalna is ready!

Serving Suggestions:

• Tastes best with parota. 
• Can also be eaten with dosa, idli or chapathi.
• This can also be made with mutton.