Go Back
+ servings
Chicken kali mirch gravy served in a blue bowl with naan on the side
Print

Chicken Kali Mirch

Who would've imagined that flavours of black pepper could work so well in a chicken curry! This dish is warm, comforting and fragrant and is the best cozy, weeknight dinner. The chicken pieces remain juicy, the gravy is creamy and light and everything is mildly spiced but still very very tasty. This Chicken Kali Mirch is a fantastic weeknight dinner option!
Course Main Course
Cuisine North Indian
Diet Gluten Free, Halal
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 383kcal
Author Richa

Ingredients

Marination

  • 500 grams Chicken bone-in, skinless, cut into 1.5-2 inch pieces
  • 1 Teaspoon Salt
  • 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper freshly ground
  • 1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice

Onion Cashew Paste

  • 1 Tablespoon Oil
  • 2 medium Onions sliced
  • 1 inch piece Ginger chopped
  • 7-8 Garlic cloves chopped
  • 8 Cashew nuts soaked in hot water for 20 minutes

Gravy

  • 4 Tablespoons Oil divided
  • 3 Green Cardamoms
  • 3 Cloves
  • 1 inch piece Cinnamon
  • ¼ cup Yogurt whisked
  • ½ Teaspoon Garam Masala
  • 1-2 Teaspoons Black Pepper freshly ground
  • 2 Green Chillies slit lengthwise
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons Kasuri Methi Fenugreek Leaves, roasted and crushed
  • 2 Tablespoons Cream heavy or light cream
  • ½ - ¾ Teaspoon Salt

Instructions

Marination

  • Add chicken, salt, pepper and lemon juice to a bowl and mix well. Set aside for 20-30 minutes and allow to marinate.

Onion Cashew Paste

  • Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pan and add the sliced onions. Fry on medium heat for 4 minutes till the onions are soft and translucent.
  • Add the chopped ginger and garlic and keep frying on medium heat for 1 minute.
  • Cook the onion mixture and then add it to a mixer grinder with cashew nuts. Grind to a smooth paste, use 2-3 tablespoons of water if required. Set aside.

Gravy

  • Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan and place the marinated chicken pieces side by side. Cook on high heat for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  • In the same pan, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and allow it to heat up on a medium flame. Add the whole spices and saute for 30 seconds to a minute.
  • Add the onion cashew paste that was ground earlier and cook for 5-6 minutes on medium heat till you see oil separating from the sides.
  • Add the fried chicken pieces and fry on medium heat for 2-3 minutes
  • Reduce the heat to low and add the whisked yogurt, garam masala and salt. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously till oil separates.
  • Now add green chillies and ¾ cup of water. Mix well, cover & simmer on low heat for 15 minutes till chicken pieces are tender and cooked through.
  • Add pepper and kasuri methi, mix and simmer on low heat for 2-3 minutes. Serve hot.

Video

Notes

  1. Marination: Make sure to marinate the chicken for at least 15 minutes. This helps the pepper and lime juice work their magic and flavour the chicken from inside out.
  2. Cut of Chicken: Bone-in, skinless chicken pieces are best for this recipe. The chicken pieces are cut into 1.5-2 inch in size. If you wish to use Chicken breast, cook them in the gravy for only 7-8 minutes
  3. Browning Onions: Brown the onions to a light golden. The more you brown them, the deeper the colour of the gravy will be. Which is not a bad thing, just different.
  4. Yogurt: Make sure to whisk the yogurt before adding it to the gravy. Add the yogurt on a low flame or turn off the flame. Once you add the yogurt, mix immediately and keep tossing it over low heat till the yogurt cooks
  5. Ground Black Pepper: Don't skimp on the pepper. If you want to reduce the heat, reduce the green chillies or skip them
  6. Kasuri Methi: Kasuri Methi really brings this dish together and helps add the finishing touch! A small amount goes a long way.

Nutrition

Calories: 383kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 1003mg | Potassium: 302mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 219IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 1mg