South Indian · serves 2

Kerala Chicken Stew

Gentle, coconutty, almost no chilli. The opposite of a heavy curry.

40 min Some work Non-vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 600g chicken
  • 1 can coconut milk
  • 2 potatoes, cubed
  • 2 onions, sliced
  • 1 inch ginger, juliennes
  • 4 green chillies, slit
  • 20 curry leaves
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • Whole spices: cinnamon, cloves, cardamom
  • 3 tbsp coconut oil

Method

  1. Whole spices in coconut oil, then onions, ginger, green chillies and curry leaves. Soften without browning — this stew should stay pale.
  2. Chicken and potatoes, salt, pepper, and the thin part of the coconut milk plus 1 cup water.
  3. Cover, simmer 25 minutes till the chicken is tender.
  4. Add the thick coconut cream last. Heat through but never boil.
  5. Curry leaves fried in coconut oil poured on top. Appam, idiyappam or bread.

Questions people ask about Kerala Chicken Stew

How long does Kerala Chicken Stew take?

About 40 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a bit of work. Most of that is active, so read the method through before you start rather than chopping as you go.

What is the one thing to get right in Kerala Chicken Stew?

Add the thick coconut cream last. Heat through but never boil.

What can I use instead of chicken in Kerala Chicken Stew?

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 Kerala Chicken Stew 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 Kerala Chicken Stew 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 Kerala Chicken Stew?

Appam, idiyappam or bread. 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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