Malvani Chicken Curry is a robust, well-spiced chicken dish from the Malvan region of Maharashtra. What sets it apart is the multi-layered flavours from dry-roasted spices and the lush, creamy consistency from the coconut. While it takes a bit of prep, the actual cooking is straightforward. Serve piping hot with steamed rice for a satisfying meal.
Sunrise tip: Don't skip dry roasting the spices to draw out their essential oils. This is the key to the curry's heady aroma and deep flavour.
Time: 10 minutes
Dry roast the javitri florets, Sunrise Dhania seeds, Sunrise Jeera seeds, Sunrise Saunf seeds, Sunrise Posta seeds, cinnamon, star anise, grated jaiphal, and cloves in a pan until fragrant. Add to a grinder jar along with a pinch of Sunrise Hing. Grind to a fine powder and set aside.
Time: 5 minutes (plus 30 minutes resting)
Blend the coriander leaves, green chillies, ginger, garlic, and a splash of water into a paste. In a large bowl, mix the chicken pieces with salt, Sunrise Haldi Powder, lemon juice, and the coriander paste. Coat the pieces well, cover, and set aside to marinate for 30 minutes.
Time: 5 minutes
While the chicken marinates, grind the coconut and onion with a little water to get a thick, smooth paste. Set aside.
Time: 30 minutes
Heat the oil in a large pan. Sauté the sliced onions until translucent. Add the sugar and cook until it melts. Stir in the garlic paste and chopped green chillies. Sauté for a minute.
Season with salt, Sunrise Haldi Powder, and Sunrise Kashmiri Mirch Powder. Mix well. Add the marinated chicken and sauté on high heat for 2-3 minutes.
Pour in the coconut-onion paste and mix it into the chicken. Add 1-2 cups of water, cover, and let the chicken simmer until cooked through, about 15 minutes.
Once the gravy comes to a boil, add the prepared masala blend and ghee. Mix well and cook uncovered for another 5 minutes. The Malvani Chicken Curry is ready!
Side Dish: Steamed rice, Chapatis, Vade