Classic Hyderabadi Red Chicken

Ingredients

• 1 kg Chicken, cut into medium pieces (Thoroughly washed)
• 15 Almonds
• 15 Cashews
• 0.5 cup Coconut powder
• Water (A bit, as needed to grind the nut-and-coconut paste)
• Salt (To taste)
• 250 g Yogurt (Some may be used to help grind the paste)
• 3 tbsp Ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tsp Black pepper powder
• 2 tsp Red chili powder
• 2 tsp Garam masala
• 0.5 tsp Turmeric powder
• 1 Lemon juice (Juice of 1 lemon)
• 2 tbsp Red chili sauce
• 2 tbsp Green chili sauce
• 1 tbsp Soy sauce
• 4 Green chilies (Use 4–5, whole or slit)
• 2 tbsp Ghee
• 2 Onions (Large onions, fried)
• Mint (Chopped)
• Cilantro (Chopped, for the marinade and garnish)
• Cooking oil (Some, for the pan)
• 1 tbsp Heavy cream (Use 1–2 tablespoons)
• Food coloring (Optional; extra may be added for a deeper red color, but the author prefers not to overdo it)
• Naan (For serving)

Steps

1. 1

   Wash the chicken thoroughly and cut it into medium pieces.

2. 2

   Grind the almonds, cashews, and coconut powder with a little water or yogurt until smooth. Add this paste to the chicken.

3. 3

   Add salt, yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, black pepper powder, red chili powder, garam masala, turmeric powder, lemon juice, red chili sauce, green chili sauce, soy sauce, green chilies, ghee, fried onions, chopped mint, and chopped cilantro to the chicken.

4. 4

   Set the chicken aside to marinate for 2 hours or overnight.

5. 5

   Heat some oil in a pan and transfer the marinated chicken into it.

6. 6

   Cook over medium-high heat for 5–7 minutes, stirring frequently.

7. 7

   Cover the pan, reduce the heat to low, and cook for about 30 minutes more, or until the chicken is tender and the oil separates.

8. 8

   Add 1–2 tablespoons of heavy cream and garnish with chopped cilantro.

9. 9

   Serve with naan.

Notes

The source does not specify the amount of cooking oil, mint, cilantro, or water. It also does not specify the exact quantity of food coloring; food coloring is optional. Marinate for 2 hours or overnight.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• chicken
• curry
• Hyderabadi
• Indian
• creamy
• stovetop
• make-ahead