"Dahi" means yoghurt in Hindi and "dahiwala chicken" is just that-chicken curry cooked with yoghurt. It is a very popular dish in India and I think originates from the state of Punjab. However, as with all things in India, we welcome guests and then make them our own, so too with this chicken curry that has been given a "Kerala twist". It's a supremely easy recipe that even an amateur cook can try. Also perfect for those days when you have less time or unexpected guests.
Before I go into the recipe, I have a confession to make. I love animals so much that I've even considered having a career in animal rights activism....but the only thing standing between me and such a career? My love for chicken-and I mean chicken fry, chicken curry, chicken kebabs, chicken legs, chicken liver, chicken wings, chicken pie...you name it and I've tried it, cooked it and love it! Can't imagine life without a chicken by my side...But I can never go to a store to buy fresh chicken and watch it being dressed and never ever take my son to a chicken store that sells fresh chicken. I really, from the bottom of my heart, feel sorry for the chicken, my baser instincts always take over when it comes to the table all cooked and ready to eat. I remember this one time when I was about 4 or 5 years old (and we were in Nigeria). I think it was a Sunday afternoon and dad brings home these two live roosters and ties them to a post at the back of our house. When I found out that my favorite chicken dishes actually came from a live creature, I felt so sad that I spent the rest of the afternoon sitting next to them in the hot sun outside, imagining all kinds of rescue scenarios, from untying them to carrying them out of the garden to letting them fly free on the other side of the fence, but never got the courage to do it. I cried and fought with my parents and promised never to eat a chicken ever again in my life....I don't remember what my mom prepared out of it, but I do remember that I couldn't resist it when it made its appearance on the dining table.....I feel ashamed of this and remember the good-natured teasing from my parents also, but nothing has been able to make me keep my promise of not eating chicken ever again! Well, so now you know how chicken-hearted I am, let's get on to the recipe.....
To serve 3 to 4 chicken lovers
- 500 grams chicken, cut into medium size pieces, washed and drained
- Half cup thick yoghurt
- 1 large onion, sliced thin
- 2 green chillies, slit
- 2 tablespoon gingvger-garlic paste
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 to 2 tablespoons chilli powder (depending on your tolerance for heat)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons coriander powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 tablespoon oil
- Salt to taste
- In a pressure cooker, mix the chicken, yoghurt, turmeric powder, chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, and salt. Mix everything around until well combined.
- I usually count the cooking time in a pressure cooker by the minutes, not the whistles (as taught by my mom!). So after closing the lid and the steam comes out, put the weight on and after the first whistle, reduce to a simmer and cook for 7 to 8 minutes.
- In a separate frying pan, do the "tadka", ie., heat the oil and throw in the mustard seeds, wait for it to crackle.
- Then tip in the curry leaves, onions and green chillies.
- When the onions turn a light brown, add the ginger-garlic paste.
- By now, the chicken would have been cooked. When the cooker is cool, open and transfer the chicken with the gravy to the fried onion mixture.
- Stir everything around well, simmer and cook for another 2 minutes and its done!
This is great to go with rice, chapathi, bread, appam....your call!
I am linking this to the following blog events:
Kerala Kitchen at Magpie's Recipes
The Kerala Kitchen Monthly Event
Family Friendly Fridays
Foodie Fridays
Friday Potluck
Decidedly Healthy or Horridly Decadent
Keep It Simple Sunday #17
15 comments:
poor kary.....atleast i am happy u eat chicken cos else i wud have missed all the wonderful recipes of urs...dahiwala chicken sounds gud and easy as well
LOL @biny's comment. I too am a chicken lover and can't wait for lent to get over to dig into spicy chicken! And the dahi chicken lookds really simple but mouth-watering!
wonderful chicken looks delicious
Spicy & delicious..
http://www.easycookingforamateurs.com/
Sometimes I feel the same too! I feel so sorry for all the creatures sacrificed for my meals. But then again I, as well, cannot resist. So, I decided that the best way to honor them and their sacrifice is to cook them real well and enjoy them as much as I can. Your dish sureley succeeds in both these sectors. Have a beautiful weekend my friend!
Delicious preparation, chk wud be super-tender in this method.
I came to your blog through The Kerala Kitchen !! Dahiwala chicken curry looks delicious. Congrats on winning the February round up award of The Kerala Kitchen.
Hi Karishma, the curry is looking quite good, never tried out this version but am sure wud love it !
Hey, thanks yaar for your sweet comments on my blog theme .. the husband is in the 9th cloud .. all flying after reading your compliment :P :D
I will make this chicken dish next time. I too had difficulty visiting a chicken shop where they chop in front of you. In fact first few times i used a glove to wash the raw meat .. but then .. i just got used to :)
Hey Karishma, I thought I should tell you that today I tried your pepper fried chicken and it was...mmmmmm....mmmmmm....good..thanks to you!!!!
Hey Karishma, Just thought I should let you know that I made your pepper fried chicken for dinner tonight ad it was finger licking good! Thanks to you! Keep up the good work!..Rani Nair
yumm...looks so delicious..love your snaps always..:)
Tasty Appetite
Hi Karishma~
I too am all about animal rights but feel bad too when I eat meat here & there. I have a weakness for bacon & chicken. :) Thank you for linking to my K.I.S.S. blog bash this past week. I so appreciate you taking the time to share your wondeful recipes. Today is another blog bash, if you haven't already, please drop by & share more of your inspiring food & stories!
Drop By The Tattered Tag
Hey Karishma! YOur post really made me smile :) I hv been thru it myself. And more than me, my husband who hates all forms of meat! But being born and brought up in Hyderabad, the one thing that sways him every single time without fail is Hyderabdi Biryani! If it werent for that, he wd so easily turn vegetarian :D
And hey, wanted to share with you - we recently went to a Kerala restaurant here in Mumbai and were floored by the Kerala Parotas, Chicken Roast and Chicjen Vattichatthu!! If you have these traditional chicken recipes pls do share!!!
love it.
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