Chettinad Pepper Chicken - South Indian Style

          Here is a spicy and a delicious Pepper Chicken Fry in the Chettinad Style. This region in the Southern State of Tamilnadu is quite popular for its fiery Non-Veg recipes. Obviously there are many versions to this traditional delicacy. 

          But in this version of mine, I made it both spicy and tangy to balance the taste and flavour. Simply enjoy it with Plain steamed rice, plain Biryani or any form of Indian bread. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 500 gms. chicken on bones, cut into medium pieces
• 2-3 tbsp. oil
• 1" cinnamon stick
• 2-3 green cardamoms
• 5-6 cloves
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 onions, chopped
• 1-2 sprigs curry leaves
• 2 green chilies, slit
• 2 tbsp. garlic-ginger paste
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 tsp. turmeric powder
• 2 tbsp. coriander powder
• 1 tbsp. cumin powder
• 1 tbsp. garam masala powder
• salt to taste
• 2 tbsp. pepper powder, coarsely ground
• juice of 1/2 lime
• handful of coriander leaves, chopped
• 1 tbsp. butter

          Heat oil in a pan and temper with bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamoms and cloves. Sauté for a few seconds. Add the onion, curry leaves and green chilies. Fry till light brown.

          Add the tomatoes and cook till it is mashed. Now add the ginger-garlic paste and all the dry spices mixed with a little water. Fry till the oil separates.

          Add the chicken and mix everything well. Cover and cook on a low flame for 15-20 minutes or till it turns soft. Keep stirring at intervals and sprinkle water only if required.

          When done, add the pepper powder, coriander leaves, lime juice and butter. Give it a stir and serve with either jeera rice, plain Biryani, naan, tandoori roti or just plain chapatti.

                          Heat oil & temper with bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamoms & cloves. 
                          Sauté for a few seconds.

                              Add onions, curry leaves & green chilies. Fry till light brown.

                                 Add tomatoes & fry till it is mashed.

                   Add ginger-garlic paste & all dry spices mixed with some water. Fry till
                   oil separates.

                                 Add chicken & mix well.

                                 Cover & cook on a low flame for 15-20 minutes or till done.

                                  It's done now.

                                 Add pepper powder, coriander leaves, lime juice followed....

                                  ...by butter. Mix well.

                   Serve with either jeera rice, plain Biryani, naan, tandoori roti or just plain 
                   chapatti.

Grilled Pepper Chicken

          These Pepper flavoured grilled chicken are great appetizers at any small in-house party with family and friends. Spicy and tangy with some extra dash of lime, they will lift up your spirits. So come relish these delicious and healthy snacks with some onion rings, green chilies and sauce. They can also be served as a light meal along with some salads or soup.

• 5-6 chicken pieces
• 1 tbsp. whole peppercorns
• 3-4 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp. amchur powder (dry mango powder)
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• salt to taste
• 1 tbsp. oil + extra oil for basting

          Grind the pepper and garlic to a coarse paste along with some water. Mix with amchur powder, salt, turmeric powder and 1 tbsp. oil.

          Prick the chicken all over with a fork. Smear this paste all over the chicken pieces and marinate for 5- 6 hours, preferably overnight.

         Grease the upper rack of a microwave and place the marinated chicken on it. Pour the leftover marinade over it and grill for 15 minutes on one side.

         Flip it over and baste with some oil or the remaining marinade. Grill for 15 minutes more. Let it stand for 5 minutes. Serve hot along with a dash of lime, sliced onion and green chilies.