Chicken Salna Tamil Nadu Style

This is a truly yummy chicken side dish recipe which is very common in Tamil Nadu. The masala that we grind makes the dish very special because the chicken is slowly cooked in it in such a way that it infuse all its flavours to create a magical melody in our mouths. Enjoy it with hot parottas.

Ingredients

Chicken-1 kg
Onion-1 big finely chopped
Green chillies-2 slit length wise
Ginger & Garlic paste-1 tbsp
Turmeric powder-½ tsp
Cardamom-2
Cinnamon sticks-2
Bay leaves-2
Oil-2 tsp
Lemon juice-According to taste
Salt-As needed
Curry leaves-8-10
Coriander leaves-1 tbsp finely chopped

To Roast and Grind

Cloves-2
Cumin seeds-1 tsp
Fennel seeds-1 tsp
Black pepper corns-2 tsp
Coriander seeds-3 tsp
Dry red chillies-8
Grated coconut-¾ - 1 cup
Tomatoes-3 finely chopped
Oil-1 tbsp

Method

Cut and wash the chicken to large size pieces. Finally wash it with turmeric powder to get rid of any smell and keep it aside.
Heat oil in a kadai and roast the ingredients mentioned in roast and grind. Start with cloves, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, dry red chillies, coriander seeds, black pepper corns adding one by one. 
Now add the tomatoes and sauté until they are mushy. Finally add the grated coconut and sauté for about a min and switch off the stove.
Cool the above ingredients and grind it in the mixer to a fine paste by adding water.
In the same kadai heat the oil, add cinnamon sticks, cardamom, bay leaves and sauté for about 15 sec. Add the onions, green chillies, curry leaves and sauté until translucent. Now add the ginger and garlic paste and sauté until the raw smell goes off.
Add the cleaned chicken and sauté until the color of the chicken changes. Now add the ground paste, salt to the chicken and mix well.
Add about 1 to 1 ½ cups of water to the chicken, cover and cook until it is well done. Alternatively cook in the pressure cooker for 2 -3 whistles.
Super spicy and delicious  Chicken Salna is ready. Serve hot.