STIR-FRIED CHETTINAD CHICKEN

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Stir-Fried Chettinad Chicken image

A dish from the southeastern state of Tamil Nadu, this quick stir-fry has all the wonderful spices used in the cooking of the Chettiyars, a trading community-lots of black pepper, fennel seeds, mustard seeds, cinnamon, and the split pea, urad dal. (Yellow split peas may be substituted for the urad dal. They will be used here in a very southern way, as a seasoning.) This dish has a 30-minute marinating period, but it cooks in about 7 minutes. It is a good idea to have all the spices measured out and ready, as the stir-frying is done quickly. I like this chicken with Basmati Rice with Lentils and a green vegetable.

Yield serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 1/4 pounds boned and skinned chicken thighs (if you prefer light meat, skinned and boned breasts may be substituted)
1 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon finely grated peeled fresh ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 tablespoons olive or canola oil
1/2 teaspoon whole brown mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon skinned urad dal (use yellow split peas as a substitute)
1/2 teaspoon whole fennel seeds
Two 2-inch cinnamon sticks
2 dried hot red chilies
20 fresh curry leaves, if available, or 8 basil leaves, torn up
1/2 medium onion, chopped
8 cherry tomatoes, halved

Steps:

  • Cut the chicken into 3/4-inch pieces and put in a bowl. Add the salt, a very generous quantity of black pepper, the ginger, turmeric, and cayenne. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate 30 minutes.
  • Pour the oil into a wok or large frying pan and set over medium-high heat. When hot, put in the mustard seeds, urad dal, fennel seeds, cinnamon, and red chilies. As soon as the mustard seeds pop, a matter of seconds, put in the curry leaves, onions, and chicken. Stir and fry for about 5 minutes or until the chicken has cooked through and has browned. Add the tomatoes and stir for 30 seconds. Check for salt, adding a light sprinkling if needed.

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