Craving a flavor explosion? Kerala Style Chicken Curry is your answer! This South Indian chicken curry is a party in your mouth – juicy chicken simmers in a fragrant blend of spices and creamy coconut milk. Get ready to delight your taste buds with homemade Kerala chicken curry as zaaffran foods & catering is going to share your favorite recipe. 

Kerala Style Chicken Curry 

Nestled along India’s southwest coast, Kerala boasts a unique and flavorful cuisine. Lush greenery, abundant backwaters, and a long history of trade with foreign shores have all played a role in shaping Kerala’s delicious dishes. Fresh seafood, fragrant spices like cardamom and cloves, and the ever-present coconut milk are all hallmarks of this vibrant region.

What is Kerala Style Chicken Curry?

Nada Khozi Curry, literally translating to “chicken curry without tempering,” is a staple in Kerala households. Unlike many Indian curries, the Nada Khozi Curry recipe skips the final step of “tadka” – tempering with hot oil and spices. This omission allows the pure, unadulterated flavors of the spices and coconut milk to shine through.

The star of the show is the fragrant spice blend. Traditionally, Kerala uses a unique “Garam Masala” distinct from the North Indian version. This blend often features black peppercorns, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cloves, cinnamon, and sometimes even nutmeg and mace. The chicken simmers in this fragrant broth, infused with the creaminess of coconut milk and the tang of tomatoes.

Why is Kerala Style Chicken Curry So Famous?

This dish’s popularity lies in its perfect balance of flavors. The aromatic spices like cardamom and cloves add warmth, while the creamy coconut milk offers a touch of sweetness. Tomatoes provide a subtle acidity, and the chicken itself becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender after slow simmering. It’s a symphony of textures and tastes that keeps you coming back for more.

Kerala Style Chicken Curry Recipe

Now that you’ve whet your appetite, let’s get cooking! The following recipe is a great starting point to create your own Kerala-Style Chicken Curry:

Ingredients:

  • Chicken, curry cut with bones- 500 gms
  • Cardamom- 2
  • Cloves- 3
  • Cinnamon- 1 small piece
  • Fennel seeds (saunf)- 1 tsp
  • Black peppercorns- 3/4 tsp
  • Grated coconut – 1/2 cup (around 60 gms)
  • Red Chilli Powder- 2 tsp 
  • Coriander powder -2 tsp
  • Turmeric powder -1/2 tsp
  • Curry leaves-10-15 leaves
  • Green chillies, cut & slit-2
  • Curry leaves-15-20
  • Onions sliced- one big (100 gms ) 
  • Ginger garlic paste- 1.5 tsp
  • Oil- 3 tbsp
  • Coriander leaves for garnish-2 tbsp
  • Salt- 1 tsp

Preparation:

  • Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan and add the whole spices. Give a stir for a minute and then add the grated coconut.
  • Mix and fry on low heat for 2-3 mins till light brown in colour and then add all the spice powders. Keep frying on low heat for another minute and then add the curry leaves. 
  • Mix and fry on low heat for another minute and switch off.
  • Remove to a plate and allow to cool.
  • After that add to the grinder and coarse grind it. 
  • Now add 1/2 cup water and blend to a paste. 
  • Heat oil in a kadhai & add the cut green chillies and curry leaves. 
  • Give a stir and add the sliced onions.
  • Fry on medium heat for 6-7 mins till light brown.
  • Now add the chicken pieces & salt and give a mix.
  • Next add the ginger garlic paste & fry on medium heat for 5-6 mins till the chicken is light brown in colour.
  • Now add the blended masala paste, add a pinch of salt and fry on medium heat for 3 mins & then on low heat for 3-4 mins till oil separates. 
  • Add 250 ml water, give a mix and cover & cook on low heat for 15 mins till chicken is tender. 
  • Garnish with fine chopped coriander leaves and simmer for 2 mins.

Conclusion

Kerala-Style Chicken Curry is a delicious and versatile dish that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds. So, embark on a culinary adventure to Kerala, explore the vibrant flavors of South India, and create this heartwarming dish in your kitchen! Enjoy this traditional Kerala Chicken Curry (or Spicy Chicken Curry if you added the chilies) and don’t forget to share it with friends and family!

Craving more authentic Asian flavors? Zaaffran Foods & Catering is here to serve you! For more recipes and our menu visit our website. Zaaffran is here to help you reduce workload stress by catering services. 

We offer a wide variety of delicious homemade Pakistani & Indian dishes, including Kerala-style

FAQs

What’s special about Kerala-Style Chicken Curry?

Unlike many curries, it skips the final step of adding hot oil and spices (tadka). This lets the pure flavors of spices and coconut milk shine through.

What kind of spices are used?

A unique “Garam Masala” blend featuring black peppercorns, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cloves, cinnamon, and sometimes nutmeg and mace.

Why is it called Nada Khozi Curry?

It literally translates to “chicken curry without tempering.” “Nada” means “without” and “Khozi” means “chicken.”

What makes Kerala Style Chicken Curry so popular?

It’s a perfect balance of flavors! Aromatic spices add warmth, creamy coconut milk offers sweetness, tomatoes provide a touch of acidity, and the chicken becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender.

How can I experience Kerala in my kitchen?

Try the recipe in this blog post! It’s a great starting point to create your own delicious Kerala Style Chicken Curry at home.