Kerala Style Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk

Rich n Juicy Chicken cooked in an Aromatic Creamy Gravy! This Kerala Style Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk is a Foolproof Keeper and every Malayalee’s favorite …!!

Food is a great medium to understand culture. It brings people, nations, and their traditions together. Even when language is a barrier, food makes it easy to communicate. With just the first bite, it brings back memories, evoke emotions, and just like any other Kerala recipe, this dish is also dear to me as it is for many Malayalees around the world.

Kerala is a state blessed with plenty of coconut trees, and so naturally coconut is an integral part of its food. Be it curries, stir fries, even sweet and savory breakfasts, we love to add coconut in everything for that matter, to give the extra kick and flavor. This dish is one among the popular recipes from Kerala, which transforms a simple chicken curry into a mouthwatering variation with a rich delectable sauce made with coconut milk.

The curry is not as light as the Kerala Style Chicken Stew, but leans towards a creamy masala gravy while not overpowering with spices. And because of that, it makes a great combination with Kerala breakfast sides like Appam and Idiyappam, or even with steamed rice, roti, or naan. And leftovers if any can be refrigerated in an air tight container for upto two days. Straight from my Amma’s kitchen, this dish always turns out to be a hit when the recipe is followed to the tee.

Do try out this recipe and lemme know how it turns out in the comment section below.

Interested in other Kerala style chicken curry / roast recipes? Check these out:

1. Chicken Ularthiyathu / Dry Roasted Chicken
2. Pepper Chicken
3. Chicken Stew
4. Appam (which makes a great combination with this chicken curry)

Enjoy, Happy Cooking…!

Follow me on Instagram, try out the recipes and tag @pepperdelightblog to all your pictures of Pepper Delight recipes you prepare. Rate us if you love it!

5 from 2 votes

Print

Kerala Style Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

40 mins

Total Time

1 hr

 

Rich n Juicy Chickencooked in an Aromatic Creamy Gravy! This Kerala Style Chicken Curry with CoconutMilk is a Foolproof Keeper and every Malayalee’s favorite …!!

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Indian, Kerala

Keyword: chicken curry with coconut milk, kerala chicken curry

Servings: 4

Author: Akhila

Ingredients

For the marinade

• 2 lb chicken (bone – in preferred)
• ½ tsp garam masala
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp pepper powder
• Salt (as required)

For the gravy

• 2 large onion (thinly sliced)
• 2-3 green chilies (slit)
• 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
• 2 tomatoes (medium sized, cubed)
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tbsp coriander powder
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• ¾ cup thin coconut milk
• ½ cup thick coconut milk
• ½ tsp pepper powder
• 2 sprigs of curry leaves
• ½ cup water
• Salt (as required)
• Oil (as required)

Instructions

1. To marinate chicken: Marinate the chicken with garam masala, pepper powder, turmeric powder and salt, set aside for 15 - 30 mins.

2. To prepare masala: Heat oil in a pan on medium heat and add sliced onions, one sprig of curry leaves, green chilies and pinch of salt. Sauté until onions are caramelized slightly. Add ginger garlic paste and sauté until the raw smell disappears.

3. Follow by adding tomatoes and sauté until they turn mushy. Reduce the heat to low and add the spice powders; chili, turmeric, coriander and garam masala. Sauté for another 2 minutes.

4. Add the marinated chicken and mix well with the masala. Place the lid and cook on a medium flame for 3 mins.
5. Open the lid and add ½ cup water, allow the curry to boil. Check for the seasoning.

6. Adding coconut milk: Once the curry starts boiling, add thin coconut milk. Allow the chicken to cook in it for 10-15 minutes. Stir in between while cooking.

7. Add pepper powder and mix well. Once the chicken is cooked and the gravy is slightly reduced, bring the flame to a low and add thick coconut milk. Allow the curry to heat up a bit, but ensure not to boil the curry once thick coconut milk has been added. Check for the seasoning.

8. Garnish: Top with curry leaves and mix well. Place the lid, turn off the flame and allow it to sit for 15 mins.

9. Serve: Serve hot. The curry goes well with Appam (hoppers), Idiyappam (string hoppers), Puttu, Steamed Rice or Roti / Naan.

Notes

1. You can adjust the heat of the curry according to your spice levels, by varying the quantity of chilli powder and green chilies used.
2. Usage of coconut oil is recommended for all authentic Kerala recipes.