1 tablespoon oil
8 dried red chillies (or use about 1.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper,adjust to taste)
1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
3/4 teaspoon whole black peppercorns (or use scant 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper)
a small twig of mace
3 cloves
1.5 teaspoon coriander seeds
1.25 lbs chicken thighs, cut into 2.5" pieces (or any dark meat portions, bone in or boneless)
1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Gravy
4 tablespoon oil
3/4 cup finely chopped onions (from 1 large onion)
1-2 thai green chillies, slit (optional)
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 small tejpatta (indian bay leaf)
2-3 green cardamom pods, cracked open
1" cinnamon stick
1/8 teaspoon turmeric powder
1.5 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely chopped (from 2" piece)
2-3 tablespoon tamarind pulp (use less if using store-bought, see notes)
10 fresh curry leaves, roughly chopped
3/4 cup to 1 cup thick coconut milk (depending on how creamy and pronounced coconut taste you want)
Salt to taste
Notes -
Store bought tamarind pulp is quite concentrated, tart and very salty. Use discretion when adding it.
I would not recommend using "light" coconut milk, as it makes the gravy very watery. Go for the thick, creamy one.
Method
Marinating the chicken (This can be done up to a day in advance)
In a small sauce pan, add the 1 tablespoon oil and heat it up on low. Add all the ingredients except chicken and salt to the oil and lightly roast the spices
till you smell a nice aroma. Do not let them turn brown. Let cool once roasted.
Grind the roasted spices coarsely. In a large bowl, add the chicken pieces, sprinkle salt and half the quantity of this spice rub, combine so that chicken is
coated in spices, cover and let marinate refrigerated for at least 4 hours or overnight(preferably).
Reserve the remaining spice rub.
Making the Curry
Thirty minutes prior to cooking, take the marinated chicken out of the refrigerator and let sit on the counter.
In a kadhai(indian wok) or a large pot with lid, heat up the 4 tablespoon oil on medium high.
Once the oil is hot, add the onions, garlic and green chillies to it. Saute and cook the onions for 8-10 minutes until they are golden brown.
Add the bay leaf,cardamom, cinnamon stick and sauce for 10-12 seconds till you smell an aroma.
Next, add the marinated chicken to the pot, add salt, turmeric and stir around so that chicken pieces start to coat in the onions and garlic.
Once you see that the chicken pieces have started to brown on the edges,cover the pot
let the chicken cook in its own juices until about 80% cooked, about 15-18 minutes(note that this time will depend on the cut and size of chicken pieces).
Add the reserved spice rub, ginger, curry leaves and tamarind paste next and stir around to coat the chicken.
Cover and let cook on medium low for another 8-10 minutes until the chicken is almost cooked.
If at any point you feel that the chicken is sticking to bottom on the pot, add a splash of water
Uncover, reduce the heat to low, and add the coconut milk to the kadhai. Do not stir immediately. Let the coconut milk combine on its own.
Check and adjust the salt. Stir very gently and let simmer for 5 minutes or so.
Garnish with few curry leaves and serve with warm rice.
