Guest recipes with Serene Tharian

Easy Kerala Style Smoky Chicken

6 chicken thighs – bone in

Marinade

1 lemon – juiced

5 tablespoons yoghurt

5 tablespoons fresh full fat cream

4 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce

3 tablespoons ginger, garlic, green chilli paste

1 tablespoon mint chutney

1 tablespoon red chilli powder or as required

1 tablespoon sweet paprika

2 tablespoon smoked paprika

2 tsp turmeric powder

2 teaspoon cumin powder

2 teaspoon coriander powder

1 teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons ghee

salt to taste

10 curry leaves

For cooking

1 stock cube – chicken

A little water if needed

6 tablespoons ghee or butter or coconut oil

Garnish

Coriander for garnish

A few teaspoons cream

A few teaspoons ghee

Make slices in the chicken thighs or poke with a fork so that the marinade penetrates.

Add the lemon juice, yoghurt and fresh cream first and massage the thighs, and keep for 20 minutes before adding the rest of the ingredients.

Add all the ingredients for the marinade and massage very well. Use gloves because the marinade may stain. Keep for two hours or overnight for best results. Bring back to room temperature before cooking.

Melt the 6 tablespoons butter or ghee or coconut oil or a mix of all three if you wish in a flat pan. Lay the thighs flat into the hot oil, next to each other. Cook on medium for 7 minutes. Turn them over and repeat. Add the rest of the leftover marinade. Add the curry leaves. Cover sealed and cook on low for 15 minutes till there is gravy in the pan. Stir once. Open the pan and allow the gravy to evaporate till it becomes thick and almost dry. The thighs should be cooked by now.

Garnish with coriander and a few dollops of ghee and cream.

Serve with rotis or parathas or pitta

Or, add half a can of coconut milk and cook on low for 6 minutes to change to a mild flavoured curry.

Serene Tharian, arranges South Indian Dinner Clubs in Cyprus, through her cooking club, The Best Exotic Kerala Kitchen. She can be contacted on 99 222462 to book a South Indian meal with your friends. Instagram/Facebook: @thebestexotickeralakitchen