This is my forever favourite chicken curry. My mother used to cook this on special days. This black chicken curry, sautéed pineapple, deep fried eggplant curry with her yellow rice is my favourite combo ever. 

My mother used to cook this curry with dry roasted chilli powder. I already shared her CHILLI POWDER process on my Instagram. It’s a combination of dried red chilies and some more spices and aromas. Dry roasting chilli powder in low flame until it turns dark. Don’t burn your chilli powder. When it’s dark, fire off and let it cool completely. She marinate her skinless chicken parts with dry roasted chilli powder, turmeric powder, salt and vinegar. Leave it to marinate at least half an hour. 

Adding more coconut milk will ruin the colour. If need more gravy, you could probably add more coconut milk but highly recommend to add little to get the perfect flavour and colour. 

1.i got roughly about 1200g skinless chicken parts. Clean and wash well. Let them sit on a colander to leave the excess water. 

2.meantime dry roast 3tbs chilli powder in a small frying pan in low heat. Dry roast until dark. DON’T BURN. Let it cool completely. 

3.place the cleaned chicken parts in a large mixing bowl and add the dry roasted chilli powder, salt, 1/2tsp turmeric powder, 1/2tbs vinegar and mix well. Leave it to marinate at least 30 minutes. 

4.heat a pot and add 2-3tbs coconut oil to it. Add finely sliced 1/2 small onion, chopped 3 garlic cloves, chopped 2” ginger piece, 3 split green chilies, some curry leaves, pandan leaf, some cinnamon pieces, 3 cardamom pods to the pot. Fry all the aromas and spices until fragrant. 

5.add the marinated chicken to the pot and cook with aromas about 3-4 minutes in medium heat. Mix well while cooking. 

6.add 50ml water to the bowl used to marinate chicken, stir well and get all the left spices in there. Add it to the chicken pot and mix well. Cook in medium heat about 15 minutes with a lid. 

7.after pass 15 minutes stir well. Cook more 5-7 minutes uncovered. Let the gravy simmer. 

NOT COMPLETELY. 

8.add 100ml thick coconut milk and stir well. Bring it to boil and simmer couple of minutes and fire off.