Pepper chicken

Recipe adapted from here

Chicken with bone- 700gms, skinless, cleaned and cut into medium pieces

Coconut oil- 3 tbsp

Coconut cuts/pieces- a handful

Curry leaves- 1 sprig

Ginger garlic paste- 1 1/2 tbsp

Onions- 2 medium, finely chopped

Salt- to taste

Green chilly- 1, slit

Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp

Meat masala- 1 1/2 tsp (any meat masala of choice)

Freshly ground pepper powder- 2 tsp

Tomato- 1 medium, roughly chopped + 1 tsp tomato paste

Coconut milk- 1/4 cup (thick)

Garam masala- 1/2 tsp

Coriander leaves- a handful, finely chopped

Heat oil in a wok and add the coconut cuts and curry leaves.

Saute till the coconut turns light brown. Dont burn them.

Add the ginger garlic paste and cook on medium heat till the raw smell disappears.

Throw in the chopped onions, salt and green chilly and cook till they turn light brown. Keep stirring in between.

Stir in turmeric powder and meat masala, followed by freshly ground pepper. Add a splash of water if you feel the pan is too hot and the masalas will burn. I did add a splash of water here.

Add the diced tomatoes and the tomato paste along with a generous splash of water. Mix it all together and cover and cook till the tomatoes break down and turn mushy and oil starts resurfacing.

In goes the chicken, mix it into the masala, trying to coat the pieces as much possible.

Cover and cook, making sure to keep stirring in between. 

You do not need to add any water as the chicken would give out enough water. 

Add the coconut milk and keep cooking without the lid, till the gravy almost gets coated on the chicken pieces

Do a taste test for salt and add if needed.

Finally, sprinkle the garam masala and give a final mix.

Stir in half the coriander leaves, transfer to a serving dish and garnish with remaining coriander leaves.

Notes: We found that it was very spicy in spite of reducing the pepper powder. So reduce further if you cant handle the heat.

I have also made a curry version of this, by adding 1 1/2 cups of water once the chicken is partially cooked, as in after all the water from the chicken has already come out. Bring the curry to a boil and then add the coconut milk at the end.