Chicken Fry Recipe / Simple Chicken Fry(South Indian Style) / Chicken Varuval Recipe

Today's recipe is a very simple and easy to make Chicken recipe - Chicken Fry/Varuval. This recipe doesn't need any fancy ingredients. Very easy to make recipe but tastes super tasty and spicy. This chicken Fry can be served as an accompaniment for Biryani/Pulao or as a starter too. I used Homemade Kuzhambu Milagai Thool, which is blend of dry red chilli and other spices. Adding curry leaves gives lots of flavor to the chicken fry/varuval but I ran out of it, so used only fresh finely chopped cilantro.

Chicken Fry/Varuval Recipe

Prep Time : 15 Minutes | Cook Time : 20-25 Minutes

Recipe Category : Side Dish | Serves : 2 

Ingredients

1. Chicken  350 gm/Less than a pound
2. Onion  1 med(finely chopped)
3. Tomato  1 small(finely chopped)
4. Ginger Garlic Paste  1 Tbsp
5. Turmeric Powder  1/4 tsp
6. Kuzhambu Milagai Thool   2 tsp
7. Chicken Masala Powder   2 tsp
8. Salt  to taste
9. Finely chopped cilantro  2 Tbsp
10. Curry leaves  1 sprig
11. Ghee  1tsp

To Temper

1. Oil  3 tbsp
2. Fennel seeds  1/2 tsp
3. Cinnamon Stick  1" size
4. Clove  2
5. Star Anise  1 

To Coarsely Grind

1. Black Pepper Corns 1/2 tbsp
2. Fennel seeds 1/2 tsp
3. Clove 1 piece

Notes: You can use readymade Kulambu milagai thool or replace with 1 tsp - Red Chilli powder & 1.5 tsp - Coriander Powder combo.

If you increase chicken quantity adjust the spices amount accordingly, the above measurement will give you spicy varuval, if you are not a spicy eater, then reduce pepper amount or while roasting the chicken in the last add couple of spoons of extra ghee. 

Method

• Cut and clean chicken pieces and keep ready. I used chicken with bones.
• Grind pepper corns, fennel seeds, clove to a coarse powder and keep aside.
• Chop onion, tomato and make ginger garlic paste and keep everything ready.
• Then heat oil in a kadai, add oil and when its hot add all the ingredients under the heading "To Temper" and let it splutter.
• Then add finely chopped onions and saute until it turns light golden brown and then add ginger garlic paste and fry until raw smell leaves.
• After that add finely chopped tomato and saute for a minute, then cook covered for minute or until the tomatoes turn soft and mushy.
• Now add chicken pieces, add turmeric powder and saute for 5 minutes(this way the pieces will be nicely roasted with oil/gg paste/turmeric powder and it helps to eliminate odor from chicken)
• Then add chilli powder and chicken masala powder(i used shakthi masala), enough salt and stir fry 2-3 minutes.
• After that add 1/2 cup water mix well and cook covered for 8-10 minutes or until the chicken is cooked soft and tender.
• Using iron pan or heavy bottomed pan will helps in faster cooking.
• Once the chicken has cooked soft check for consistency, if you feel its liquidy(some chicken leaves more water while cooking) roast in high heat for few more minutes until it dries.
• After that add ground pepper powder and mix everything well and roast for a minute.
• Then add tsp of ghee and roast for another minute and lastly add some finely chopped cilantro and curry leaves, mix well and switch off the stove.
• That's it super tasty & spicy Chicken Fry/Varuval ready. Serve as an accompaniment or as a starter.