Chicken Varattiyathu | Kerala Style Chicken Roast

This chicken roast recipe is a traditional favorite from the southern Indian state of Kerala. Locally known as Chicken Varattiyathu or Kozhi Varattiyathu, this dry roast recipe makes use of generous amount of coconut oil and exotic spices that are native to the Malabar coast.

Prep Time : 30 min
Cook Time: 40 min
Serves: 2

Ingredients

for marination
500 gram chicken, cubed
20 gram ginger
25 gram garlic
3 shallots
1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 sprig curry leaves
1 tablespoon coconut oil

for masala
3 tablespoons coconut oil
1 big onion, finely chopped
3/4 tomato, cubed
1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/4 teaspoon garam masala
2 sprig curry leaves
Salt to taste"

Directions

1. Grind shallots, ginger, garlic, fennel seeds, pepper powder, oil and 1 sprig curry leaves. Marinate chicken with this mixture for 20 minutes.
2. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a pan. Add onion and saute till onion turns golden brown. Add curry leaves and mix well.
3. Then add tomato to the above and further cook till all the water from the tomato evaporates and it is cooked.
4. To this add red chilly powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder and garam masala. Mix well.
5. Add marinated chicken to it and mix everything well.
6. Close the pan and cook the chicken in medium flame (No need of adding water) for about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir occasionally.
7. Once the water evaporates, open the pan and roast the chicken till the oil starts to separate and the chicken pieces are coated with the masala.
8. Switch off the flame and garnish with curry leaves and serve hot.