Kozhi Milagu Kuzhambu | Spicy Chicken Pepper Curry | Pepper Chicken Curry Recipe | South Indian Pepper Chicken Curry

Kozhi Milagu Kuzhambu | South Indian Pepper Chicken Curry Recipe with step wise pictures. Today's recipe is a spicy, flavorful and healthy chicken curry that is prepared using freshly ground spices & Pepper corns. For the first time, tried a chicken recipe of my own. Generally, I hesitate to experiment with non-veg recipes and always follow my mom/mil's recipes or from websites.
But this time, wanted to try something different and healthy curry recipe with Pepper corns. I have already shared a vegetarian Poondu Milagu Kuzhambu recipe, keeping a base of that recipe I tried this kozhi milagu kuzhambu and it turned out so good with lovely dark brown color and flavor. It tasted so spicy and yummy with thinai Idli/millet idlis & plain rice as well. I made this 2 weeks back for our weekend breakfast along with idlis. It was slightly spicy for my kids but still they loved it with idlis. Perfect Hot & spicy curry for this cold weather.

Kozhi Milagu Kuzhambu Recipe

Prep Time : 15 minutes | Cook Time : 25-30 minutes

Recipe Category : Side Dish/Curry Recipe

Serves 4-5

Ingredients

1. Chicken   300gm/less than 1lb(i used Organic skinless, boneless breast Chicken pieces)
2. Turmeric Powder   1/4 tsp
3. Chilli Powder   1/2 tsp

To Roast & Grind

1. Oil   1-2 tbsp
2. Clove   4 no.
3. Cinnamon  1/2" stick
4. Pepper Corns   1/2 tsp
5. Fenne Seeds/sombu/Saunf   1 tsp
6. Khas Khas/Poppy Seeds  3/4 tsp
7. Dry Red Chilli   2 no.
8. Coriander Seeds    2 tbsp
9. Onion   1 medium(roughly chopped)
10. Coconut,shredded  1/4 cup
11. Cilantro/Coriander leaves  3-4 stems(take leaves alone)
12. Curry leaves   few
13. Pottukadalai/Roasted gram dal   1 tsp

For Kuzhambu/Gravy

1. Oil   1/2 tbsp(sesame oil or peanut oil)
2. Freshly Ground Pepper powder    1 + 1 tsp
3. Ginger   1" piece(crushed)
4. Garlic   2 fat cloves(crushed)
5. Curry Leaves   few
6. Onion  1 small(finely chopped)
7. Tomato  1 medium(chopped)
8. Chicken Masala Powder   1/2-1 tsp
9. Chilli Powder   1/4-1/2 tsp
10. Salt   to taste
11. Mint leaves    few finely chopped
12. Cilantro   few finely chopped

To Temper

1. Oil   1 tsp
2. Mustard seeds   1/2 tsp
3. Fennel seeds   1/2 tsp
4. Ground Pepper   1/2 tsp
5. Curry leaves   few

Method

• First marinate chicken with turmeric and chilli powder and keep aside.
• Heat oil in a kadai to roast spices, when it is hot add clove, cinnamon, fennel seeds, poppy seeds,pepper corns and fry well.

• Then add dry red chilli, corainder seeds and saute it and add chopped onions and saute for 2-3 minutes.

• And then add coconut pieces and saute for a minute and turn off the stove.
• Allow the ingredients to cool and grind it along with cilantro, curry leaves and pottukadalai with little water to a smooth paste.

• After that heat oil in a pan, when it is hot add ground pepper, crushed ginger and garlic, curry leaves and fry well.
• Then add finely chopped onions and saute till golden brown and add tomato and saute until it turns soft and mushy.

• Now add chicken pieces and saute for 1-2 minutes.
• And add 1 tsp ground pepper, chicken masala powder, chilli powder and stir fry well.

• Now add 3/4 to 1 cup water or to desired consistency and enough salt, few chopped mint and coriander leaves and cook covered in medium heat until chicken gets cooked well.

• Once the chicken is cooked and the oil floats on top, switch off the stove.

• Heat oil in a tempering pan, add the tempering ingredients fry well and pour it to the gravy.
• That's it...Spicy & Flavorful Kozhi Milagu Kuzhambu Ready. Serve hot with Idlis / Dosa / Plain Rice / Phulka / Parotta.

Notes:
I added ground pepper in 3 steps,this way the pepper flavor and spiciness gets incorporated well with chicken curry/kuzhambu.
The above measurement gives you a spicy kuzhambu, for less spicy reduce ground pepper or add to your taste.
I like add few mint leaves to my non-veg curries, that gives nice aroma and taste to the dish but it is optional.
I used boneless chicken breast but you can use whole chicken pieces or Drumstick chicken also.
You can also cook the kuzhambu in pressure cooker and lastly add tempering.