Pepper Chicken

Ingredients

To marinate

Chicken – 3/4 – 1 kg, cleaned and cut into small pieces

Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp

Pepper powder – 2 – 2.5 tsp

Salt – to taste

Marinate the chicken pieces with the above ingredients for at least 1 hr.

Other ingredients

Oil – 1.5 – 2 tbsp

Whole spices – Cloves – 5 – 6, Cardamom – 3 – 4, Cinnamon stick – 1 inch

Onion – 1.5 medium, finely chopped

Ginger-garlic paste – 1 tbsp

Tomato – 2 medium, finely chopped

Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp

Coriander powder – 3 – 4 tsp

Garam masala powder – 3/4 tsp

Pepper powder, freshly ground –  1 + 1 tsp (Adjust according to your spice tolerance.)

Curry leaves – 1 sprig

Cilantro – 2 – 3 tbsp, chopped

Salt – To taste

Method

Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan at medium heat. Add the whole spices and saute until fragrant, about 20 – 30 seconds. Add finely chopped onion, ginger-garlic paste and little salt. Saute until onion starts turning brown. Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder and 1 tsp pepper powder. Saute until their raw smell is gone. Add chopped tomato and saute until the tomato gets mashed up and oil separates. Now add the chicken pieces and mix everything well. Saute for 4 – 5 minutes at medium heat. Cover and cook until the chicken is done, about 15 – 20 minutes, stirring occasionally (do not add water, water will ooze out from the chicken pieces). Once the chicken is done, add the remaining 1 tsp of pepper powder. Mix well and check for salt. Garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve with rice, bread, chapatis, porotta etc. This tastes best the next day.