Maharashtrian · serves 2

Chicken Kolhapuri

Maharashtrian and genuinely hot. The dry-roasted masala is what separates it from a normal curry.

50 min A proper cook Non-vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 700g chicken
  • 1 cup grated coconut
  • 3 onions
  • 8 dried red chillies
  • 2 tbsp coriander seeds
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds
  • 6 peppercorns
  • 1 inch cinnamon, 4 cloves
  • 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 5 tbsp oil

Method

  1. Dry roast the coconut with one sliced onion until both go dark brown, almost burnt at the edges.
  2. Separately roast the chillies, coriander, cumin, sesame and whole spices.
  3. Grind everything together with water into a smooth dark paste — this is kanda lasun masala territory.
  4. Fry the remaining onions in oil till golden, then ginger-garlic.
  5. Chicken, seared 8 minutes, then the ground paste. Fry 5 minutes till the oil separates.
  6. 2 cups hot water, salt, simmer 25 minutes. The gravy should be thin with red oil floating. Bhakri or rice.

Questions people ask about Chicken Kolhapuri

How long does Chicken Kolhapuri take?

About 50 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a proper cook. A good part of that is unattended, so you can get on with something else once it is going.

What can I use instead of chicken in Chicken Kolhapuri?

Use paneer, firm tofu or mushrooms. All three cook far faster than chicken, so add them in the last 5 minutes rather than at the start.

Can I make Chicken Kolhapuri ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Can I make Chicken Kolhapuri vegetarian?

Yes. Replace the chicken with paneer, firm tofu, mushrooms or soya chunks. All of them cook far faster than meat, so add them in the last five minutes rather than at the start, and keep the masala exactly as written.

What do you serve with Chicken Kolhapuri?

Bhakri or rice. It serves two as written. Double everything to feed four, but use a wider pan so the food still browns rather than steams.

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