Chicken varuval (Chicken chukka)
Chicken chukka varuval is a simple chicken stir fry made in the chettinad style with fresh ground spices.
For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips.
© Swasthi's Recipes
Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )
- 500 grams bone-in-chicken (or boneless)
- 6 to 8 shallots (coarsely crushed in a mixer or very finely chopped)
- 1 ½ tsp ginger garlic paste
- 1/8 tsp turmeric
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsps sesame oil or any oil
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
Whole spices
- 2 inch cinnamon stick
- 4 to 6 cloves
- 1 green cardamom optional
Masala powder (dry roast all ingredients and powder)
- 1 tbsp coriander seeds /daniya
- 1 tsp cumin / jeera
- ½ tsp pepper corn
- 1 tsp fennel seeds / saunf
- 4 to 5 Red chillies (adjust to suit your taste)
- 2 sprigs curry leaves , fresh
- 1 tbsp dry coconut or 1 tbsp poppy seeds or sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp roasted gram or 8 to 10 cashews or 10 to 12 blanched almonds
How to make the recipe
- Heat oil in a pan, add the dry spices and sauté for a min
- Add the onions crushed or finely chopped and ginger garlic paste, fry till on a medium flame the raw smell disappears. This takes around 5 minutes.
- Add the chicken, salt and turmeric. Fry on high flame till the chicken turns white in color. This takes around 2 to 3 mins.
- Simmer the flame. Cover and cook for 3 to 4 mins, occasionally flipping the pieces to prevent burning.
- Add the powdered masala, fry till you get good aroma.
- Add about ¼ cup water and stir well. How much water to use depends on how tender your chicken is. So adjust the quantity as needed.
- Cover and cook till the chicken is fully cooked.
- Add lemon juice and mix well.
- Fry till all the water evaporates and the masala clings to the chicken.
- Garnish with fine chopped coriander leaves.
- Serve chicken chukka varuval with rice and rasam for a simple and delicious meal.
NUTRITION (estimation only)
Calories: 514kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 125mg | Sodium: 129mg | Potassium: 548mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 460IU | Vitamin C: 35.6mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 3.2mg