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    Home

    Chicken Chettinad Gravy Recipe | Spicy Chettinad Chicken Curry

    November 10, 2021 By Aarthi 72 Comments

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    Chettinad chicken gravy recipe with step by step pictures. South India's most popular chicken dish cooked in chettinad masalas. This is close to authentic chettinad chicken dish with similar taste, flavour and colour. This goes well with ghee rice.
     
    Chicken chettinad gravy recipePin
    TABLE OF CONTENTS
    1. Easy Chettinad Chicken Gravy Recipe
    2. Instant Pot Chettinad Chicken
    3. Chettinad Chicken Gravy - FAQ
    4. Chicken Chettinad Recipe (Spicy Chicken Masala)
    5. Tips & Tricks
    6. Instant Pot Chettinad Chicken

    Chicken Chettinad Gravy Recipe

    This is the most popular chicken curry, how did i stayed away these long without posting it in my blog. Now i have found that and immediately made it and took pictures of it to post here. I have made this so many time, it is a tasty dish, different from the one which you get in restaurants. In my place i couldn't find a good chettinad chicken, every thing tasted either too spicy and not much flavourful.

    About Chettinad Chicken Curry Recipe

    Chettinad chicken gravy is a popular chicken dish all over south india. Chicken chettinad is a classic dish from the chettinad cuisine. It consists of chicken cooked in, turmeric and a paste of red chillies, kalpasi, coconut, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, black pepper, onions, ginger, garlic and gingelly oil.

    This curry has lots of freshly roasted spices and coconut which is then ground to a fine paste and added it to the chicken. Your total house will smell heavenly when you make this. And i cooked the chicken in pressure cooker, if you don't have one, just make this in a kadai and simmer it for a long time till the chicken is cooked.

    Mean while Check out my another roasted spiced chicken curry which is a kadai chicken, chettinad chicken roast which is a dry chicken dish.

    Chicken Chettinad Recipe - Step by StepPin

    Easy Chettinad Chicken Gravy Recipe

    • You can use any cuts of chicken. But it is best to use chicken with bones for maximum flavour.
    • You can reduce the spice level to your preference.
    • Chillies and pepper can be adjusted to taste.
    • Instead of cooking in pressure cooker, you can cook them in a kadai or pot.
    • The timing depends on the size of the chicken.
    • You can use country chicken (nattu kozhi) instead of normal chicken.

    Instant Pot Chettinad Chicken

    • Marinate chicken for 20 mins.
    • Heat instant pot in saute mode. Make the chettinad masala. Dry roast all the spices except coconut in a kadai till it turns golden. once it turn golden add in coconut and roast till the coconut turns light golden. Remove them to a mixer and grind them to a smooth paste.
    • Heat oil in the instant pot, add in onions and saute till it turns soft.
    • Add in curry leaves and ginger garlic paste. Saute for a min.
    • Marinated chicken is added. Add in cubed tomatoes and mix well.
    • Cover the instant pot and set it to pressure cook mode and set for 10 mins.
    • Once the timer goes off. let the pressure release by itself.
    • Open the instant pot, add the ground masala and mix well.
    • Cook on low for 5 mins.
    • Add in coriander leaves and mix.

    Chettinad Chicken Gravy - FAQ

    What is chettinad sauce made of?

    chettinad cuisine has lots of spices like red chillies, kalpasi, coconut, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, black pepper, onions, ginger, garlic and gingelly oil.

    Is chettinad cuisine spicy?

    it is normally very flavourful with variety of spices. most of the dishes are normally little on the spicier side. if you are making at home, you can adjust the spice level to your taste.

    More Curry Recipes

    • Nagercoil Chicken Curry
    • Chettinad Mutton Curry
    • Lamb Vindaloo
    Easy Chettinad Chicken RecipePin

    If you have any questions not covered in this post and if you need help, leave me a comment or mail me @[email protected] and I’ll help as soon as I can.

    Follow me on Instagram, Facebook,Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter for more Yummy Tummy inspiration.

    IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE OR ANYTHING FROM YUMMY TUMMY, MAKE SURE TO POST IT AND TAG ME SO I CAN SEE ALL OF YOUR CREATIONS!! #YUMMYTUMMYAARTHI AND @YUMMYTUMMYAARTHI ON INSTAGRAM!

    Pin

    Chicken Chettinad Recipe (Spicy Chicken Masala)

    Chettinad chicken gravy is the most ordered dish in restaurants and popular dish all over south india. Tender pieces of chicken cooked in aromatic chettinad spices.
    4.12 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine Chettinad, Indian, South Indian
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 303 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 500 grams Curry Cut Chicken
    • 2 large Onions sliced thinly
    • 2 medium Tomatoes cubed
    • 2 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
    • Curry Leaves a small handful
    • 3 tbsp Gingelly Oil
    • 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
    • Salt to taste
    • 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
    • 3 tbsp Coriander Leaves

    For Chettinad Masala

    • 3 tbsp Coriander Seeds
    • 5 Dry Red Chilli
    • 1 tsp Fennel Seeds
    • 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
    • 1 piece Cinnamon Stick
    • 2 piece Kalpasi / Black Stone Flower dagad phool/patthar ka phool
    • 2 tsp Whole Peppercorns - 2 tsp
    • 5 pods Cardamom
    • 1 piece Star Anise
    • 4 piece Cloves
    • ¼ cup Fresh Coconut grated

    Instructions
     

    • Add salt, turmeric powder and lemon juice to chicken and mix well. Let it marinate for 15 to 20 mins.
    • Now Make the chettinad masala. Dry roast all the spices except coconut in a kadai till it turns golden. once it turn golden add in coconut and roast till the coconut turns light golden. Remove them to a mixer and grind them to a smooth paste.
    • Heat oil in a pressure cooker, add in onions and saute till it turns soft.
    • Add in curry leaves and ginger garlic paste. Saute for a min.
    • Add in marinated chicken and mix well. Add in cubed tomatoes and mix well. Cover the cooker and cook it for 2 whistle, simmer for 10 mins. Switch off the heat and let them steam go all by itself.
    • Open the cooker and pour the chicken in a kadai. Add more water if needed.
    • Add the ground masala and mix well.Cover and simmer for 10 mins.
    • Add in coriander leaves and serve.

    Notes

    Tips & Tricks

    • You can use any cuts of chicken. But it is best to use chicken with bones for maximum flavour.
    • You can reduce the spice level to your preference.
    • Chillies and pepper can be adjusted to taste.
    • Instead of cooking in pressure cooker, you can cook them in a kadai or pot. 
    • The timing depends on the size of the chicken.
    • You can use country chicken (nattu kozhi) instead of normal chicken.

    Instant Pot Chettinad Chicken

    • Marinate chicken for 20 mins.
    • Heat instant pot in saute mode. Make the chettinad masala. Dry roast all the spices except coconut in a kadai till it turns golden. once it turn golden add in coconut and roast till the coconut turns light golden. Remove them to a mixer and grind them to a smooth paste.
    • Heat oil in the instant pot, add in onions and saute till it turns soft.
    • Add in curry leaves and ginger garlic paste. Saute for a min.
    • Marinated chicken is added. Add in cubed tomatoes and mix well. 
    • Cover the instant pot and set it to pressure cook mode and set for 10 mins.
    • Once the timer goes off. let the pressure release by itself. 
    • Open the instant pot, add the ground masala and mix well.
    • Cook on low for 5 mins.
    • Add in coriander leaves and mix. 
    Nutrition Facts
    Chicken Chettinad Recipe (Spicy Chicken Masala)
    Amount Per Serving (1 servings)
    Calories 303 Calories from Fat 171
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 19g29%
    Saturated Fat 5g31%
    Trans Fat 1g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 4g
    Monounsaturated Fat 9g
    Cholesterol 45mg15%
    Sodium 61mg3%
    Potassium 678mg19%
    Carbohydrates 20g7%
    Fiber 6g25%
    Sugar 8g9%
    Protein 15g30%
    Vitamin A 1165IU23%
    Vitamin C 100mg121%
    Calcium 94mg9%
    Iron 3mg17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Keyword chettinad, chicken
    Tried this recipe?Mention @yummytummyaarthi or tag #yummytummyaarthi!
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    Chicken Chettinad Recipe - Step by Step

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    Take your chicken pieces

     

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    Season with some salt

     

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    Add in turmeric powder

     

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    Squeeze some lemon juice

     

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    Mix well and let it marinate for 15 to 20 mins

     

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    Spices for chettinad masala

     

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    Add all of them to a dry pan

     

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    Roast them till it turns golden

     

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    When it is almost golden, add in coconut

     

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    Toast them till it turn little golden

     

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    Spices beautifully roasted

     

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    take them in a blender

     

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    Puree them by adding some water

     

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    Now take your other ingredients

     

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    Heat oil in a pressure cooker

     

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    Add some onions

     

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    Saute till it turn soft
     
     
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    Now add in ginger garlic paste

     

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    lots of curry leaves

     

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    Add in marinated chicken

     

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    Mix that around

     

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    Add in cubed tomatoes

     

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    cover and cook

     

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    Now the chicken is cooked to perfection

     

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    Transfer that to a kadai

     

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    Add more water if needed, Bring it to boil again

     

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    Add in the chettinad masala

     

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    mix well

     

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    cover and simmer

     

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    This is how it looks after simmered for a while

     

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    Add in lots of chopped coriander leaves

     

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    Serve
     
     
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    Aarthi

    About Aarthi

    Over the past few years I’ve been on a mission to find and create recipes that I can make from scratch. I hope you enjoy the recipes on this blog as they are tried and true from my kitchen to yours!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anonymous

      at

      Yummy I tried it today for Sunday special lunch.. It turned out fantabulous... 🙂 Thank you for the special dish.. 🙂

      Reply
      • Vaish Krishnan

        at

        Thanx for this will try soon! Do you hv a recipe for Pineapple rasam?

        Reply
    2. Aarthi

      at

      @Vaish Krishnanhttps://www.yummytummyaarthi.com/2014/07/pineapple-rasam-recipe.html

      Reply
    3. Alpa Devalia Naik

      at

      I made this for lunch today , it was very tasty & easy to prepare . For evening m going to try the chicken tangdi kabab .... Thanx Aarthi for the delicious recipies

      Reply
    4. priya

      at

      Yummy but more spicy.

      Reply
    5. priya

      at

      Superb
      I loved it

      Reply
    6. Priya

      at

      Loved it.. bagged appreciation too..really yummy

      Reply
    7. Priya

      at

      Really yummy..mmmm...thanks yaar

      Reply
    8. Dav

      at

      @Anonymous

      Hi, I've made this and other similar recipes before but it doesn't work out quite right...almost like only half the masala should go in at the end...always ends up like grainy curry (despite the masala being very finely ground to a paste) and quite dry. Any suggestions? thanks

      Reply
    9. infanta

      at

      Looks yummy ..

      Reply
    10. yawanika

      at

      I can sum up the Recipe in just one word.......Amazing.

      It reminded me of a restaurant recipe and I had it with naan.

      Thank you for this amazing recipe aarthi.

      Reply
    11. Anonymous

      at

      Hi aarthi I tried this receipt today it was awesome came out very well .everyone in our family appreciated me and asked receipe .

      Reply
    12. Anonymous

      at

      Hi aarthi I tried this today for lunch it came out very well .everyone in our family appreciated me and asked the receipe

      Good job ya

      Reply
    13. Mahesh

      at

      Thank you for sharing
      Will try this

      Reply
    14. Anonymous

      at

      Hi, today made this dish. But I felt the smell of cardamom was strong. I think I went wrong while roasting.

      Reply
    15. Anonymous

      at

      Hi, Tried this recipe today but the Smell of cardamom was strong. What may be the mistake??

      Reply
    16. Aarthi

      at

      @AnonymousYou have added too much cardamom or may be burnt it while roasting.

      Reply
    17. Anonymous

      at

      The cooking time for the chicken is too much if u're using broiler chicken. It's perfect for desi chicken though. Awesome recipe! Thanks!Gulshan devaiya?

      Reply
    18. Graceravi

      at

      Mouth watering receipe......! Could u please tell how to make dry methi powder from a fresh methi leaves

      Reply
    19. Anonymous

      at

      Awesome.. The pictures really help and makes it easy to go through the recipe 🙂
      Keep it up..

      Reply
    20. Mrs. Edward

      at

      Great recipe...like most of your others ! The step by step pictures are a big help, and sets you apart from the other websites. Keep cooking ! Keep sharing ! Thanks a ton !!

      Reply
    21. Anonymous

      at

      One of the best recipe.
      Thank you. Keep up your great stuff and innovative presentation. Thanks.

      Reply
    22. sharmila

      at

      Your blog has almost all the recipes I google for... U rock big time!!! This recipe is outta the world... Hats off!!!

      Reply
    23. Keerthikha Asokan

      at

      Awesome recipe Arthi. I tried it out today n it came out really well. spicey Spicey yummyyum...

      Reply
    24. Suresh

      at

      Tried today after a tiring day. It was awesome. Thanks for the steps. It suited very well for idly.

      Reply
    25. nvn balakrishna

      at

      Yummy recipe...... http://Www.planetfoodgeeks.com

      Reply
    26. veeyem002

      at

      Tried it today , turned out a tasty aromatic dish ... Great demonstration .. Loved it 😊 thank u

      Reply
    27. Anonymous

      at

      Hi, thanks for the really nice recipe, but can u pls tell why we need to transfer the chicken to kadai before adding the masala ? Why can't we just add it to the pressure cooker ?

      Reply
    28. Aarthi

      at

      @Anonymousu can cook it in pressure cooker itself. but i transfer so i can take pics easily and clearly

      Reply
    29. MADHUSUDHANAN

      at

      My father use to cook this recipe well when i was kid ;now he is aged cant make it like before; last week i prepared with 1.5 kg chicken and served whole family; every one said it resembled my fathers preparation.

      Reply
    30. Aparna

      at

      I'm vegetarian so I tried this recipe with potato instead of chicken. Was amazing!! Look forward to trying more of your recipes.

      Reply
    31. Anonymous

      at

      Superb👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

      Reply
    32. Anonymous

      at

      I tried your chetinad chicken curry recipe ...it's was superb

      Reply
    33. Jagadeesh Panicker.

      at

      Hai dear Chef.
      I am keen in trying new recipes...Now only i find your Chicken chettinadu in this one , and i tried it and i find it good ans very authentic .We are enjoying your curry ...Good ....dear . Jagadeesh Panicker.

      Reply
    34. Anonymous

      at

      Hi Aarthi

      Just one word........AWESOME.......KEEP HELPING PEOPLE TO TRY DIFFERENT DISHES AND PLEASING THEIR PARTNERS:)

      Reply
    35. preetz

      at

      I am yet to try this and do have a doubt. Incase I am gonna cook 1kg or 1n half kg chicken..does the masala content remain same or do I increase everything in ur recipe list.

      Reply
    36. Aarthi

      at

      @preetzu have to increase it

      Reply
    37. juliana

      at

      Fantastic receipe I tried it today en it has turned to b awesome. I m nt a very frequent cook. But followed ur recipe as mentioned en it has turned to b same look alike at least. For sure it would b tasting to same. Lovely would follow ur receipes henceforth..... 👌👌👌👌👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

      Reply
    38. AL491

      at

      Hi I cannot get kalpasi here can I use anything else thank you for your reply as I would like to try this recipe ����

      Reply
    39. Aarthi

      at

      @AL491u can skip that

      Reply
    40. Neetu

      at

      Hi...I don't have the kalpasi....can it be avoided

      Reply
    41. Aussie Girlie

      at

      Hi this sounds yummy. Excuse my ignorance but what is kalpasi? Do you have a picture? Thanks!

      Reply
    42. Aussie Girlie

      at

      Hi Aarthi. This looks yummy. Forgive my ignorance but what is kalpasi? Do you have a picture? Thanks

      Reply
    43. Aussie Girlie

      at

      Hi Aarthi. This looks delicious. Forgive my ignorance but what is kalpasi? Do you have a picture? Thanks.

      Reply
    44. Aarthi

      at

      @Neetuyes it can be skipped

      Reply
    45. Aarthi

      at

      @Aussie Girliecheck this link
      https://mealtimesuccess.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/picture-012.jpg

      Reply
    46. Anonymous

      at

      Hi ..I tried the recipe... Came out really well... Thank you for awesome pictures... Helps a lot..

      Reply
    47. Jayashree

      at

      hi aarti today morning i saw ur recipe and decided to give a try.. and it turned out really yum.. thank u for this wonderful recipe.. while taking coriander i do felt is it more but it turned out very flavoursome..

      Reply
    48. ramya

      at

      i asked my mom to do that it was amazing i like to know how to centre fill a cake wish tell me soon ;D

      Reply
    49. Unknown

      at

      I made this for my husbands birthday. In fact I pureed the onions. It came out really well.

      Reply
    50. Anonymous

      at

      Good and tasty recipe. Thanks Arthi

      Reply
    51. Purnima Selvamurugan

      at

      I tried this today. As usual other recipes of yours, came out perfect. Kudos to you and your photography.. !

      Reply
    52. Anonymous

      at

      Hi Aarthi,
      Thanks for the recipe. I tried this out twice and felt the powder did not mix well and a bit grainy. I followed all the steps and the whole dish did not blend well. When I tasted it the taste was good but I am making some mistake and think the dish can turn out even better. Can you please give me any suggestions?

      Reply
    53. harini

      at

      Can i use cashews/poppy seeds instead of coconut?

      Reply
    54. Karthika Chandran

      at

      While adding chicken in the cooker do we need to add water or without water we need to pressure Cook.

      Reply
    55. anjili sri

      at

      Thank u so much for ur receipe.I tried it today........so yummy.........

      Reply
    56. sundari priya

      at

      Hi dear, thank you very much. I made it today without coconut...it turns out great. Both my girls enjoyed it.

      Reply
    57. Swetha Muppaneni

      at

      Can I do this using boneless chicken?

      Reply
      • Aarthi

        at

        yes u can

        Reply
    58. swass

      at

      It's yummy ....tried today for lunch ...thank u

      Reply
    59. Sweta-The Sweet Gal

      at

      i tried this recipe today for lunch. ..it was easy n superb yum taste....thnks for beautiful recipe

      Reply
    60. Anonymous

      at

      Tried this recipe today. The taste was good, but the curry was kind of grainy. I did grind the masala very well. Not sure what went wrong. Will try again 🙂

      Reply
    61. Shanthinee Malaysia

      at

      I made this few days back,such aromatic and tasty dish.thank you for sharing this superb recipe.I wish i could post the picture here 🙂

      Reply
    62. Yet another irregular blogger

      at

      I just tried today ... came out awesome ! .. thanks for sharing !!

      Reply
    63. gputoaster

      at

      I had been to Tamil Nadu last month and I got fond of this recipe.

      Today I prepared Chettinadu chicken with this method, following exact steps, the aroma is WOW! and taste is yummy!.

      Thanks Aarthi for the exact same taste.

      Reply
    64. Harshi

      at

      superrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

      Reply
    65. Rohini

      at

      Hi Arthi,
      I tried for sunday lunch. It came out so well.

      Reply
    66. Divya parvathi

      at

      I tried dis today nd it came out wel... thnk u for ur recipes

      Reply
    67. Kelvin

      at

      if i don't use the pressure cooker? can i just use the kadai to cook? and how long it will take? will the taste be the same?

      Reply
      • Aarthi

        at

        Yes u can

        Reply
    68. Shob

      at

      Hello Arthi,

      Thanks for the recipe. For 1500 gms chicken does the ingredients become 3 times of your quantity? Sorry new to cooking

      Reply
    69. Frank

      at

      That recipe looks fantastic, I’m off to the shops now to try find fresh coconut. Will be trying this for sure! I read through the recipe and followed the pics and instructions. Great tutorial!

      Reply

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