Trivandrum Style Chicken Fry

Life has changed so much within the past few months for us.People have been so busy until  Virus came in to action, busy with the many things in life - work, family, activities, socializing and  it is alarming to see this change now. Like many others I have been under some stress with work, the ability to manage work pressure in this modified lifestyle has been challenging  at times. But on a positive note we will withstand it experiences now will make us wiser  :)

Refreshing our hobbies or starting a new one would be a great idea and may be after few years we can look back to 2020 and see some colors as right now everything looks faded to me am sure it looks the same for many of you reading.
I am inspired by a quote my daughter wrote on her Journal.

No  matter the situation you are in there is always hope, focusing on all good things in life

Since this dish is not actually fried I think it should be called Thatti Pothi Chicken , if you are not a Malayali you might find it difficult to read anyways it taste really great you should definitely give it a try.
This recipe is inspired by the Trivandrum style Chicken fry my good friend  had made for us. She shared the recipe from - Foodie Suz Recipes

Marination

Chicken - 2 Pounds (Approx)
Red chili flakes  - 1 tbsp
Kashmiri chili powder - 2 tbsp
Black pepper powder - 2 tsp (Adjust as per taste)
Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
Ginger- Garlic paste - 2 tbsp
Juice form one Lemon
Salt to taste
Meat Masala - preferably chicken masala powder - 2 tsp
Coconut oil - 1 tsp

For Frying / Sauteing 

Coconut oil - 1/4 cup (May use less per preference)
Curry Leaves - few springs
Green chilies - few Slit
2- 3 medium size Onion sliced
Ginger and Garlic - 1 tbsp each thinly sliced
Kashmiri Red chili Powder - 1 tbsp

Method 

• Cut chicken to medium size pieces , clean and marinate it with the ingredients listed under marination.Keep aside for sometime (10 to 20 minutes) 

• Heat coconut oil in a thick bottom pan / use a wider pan or wok  so chicken gets cooked evenly. Saute half portion of the sliced onion , curry leaves, green chilies , ginger and garlic until it starts to turn golden brown.Place marinated chicken pieces on it. 

• Turn heat to medium -low , allow chicken pieces to get cooked (10 to 15 minutes on each side).Close the pan with a lid to thoroughly cook the pieces , do stir in between. This is why I want to call it  thatti pothi , you'll need to slightly turn the chicken pieces to get it cooked, also lightly fry the outside of the chicken piece along with the fried onions which has been frying along with the chicken. 

• When chicken pieces are almost cooked.Add in the rest of the sliced onion and 1 Tbsp Kashmiri Red chili Powder, let fry in high heat for another 5-10 minutes stirring as needed until everything is cooked and combined well. 

And your Thatti Pothi chicken fry  is now ready. Perfect for a Friday night Dinner  ;)

Stay safe !

Cheers,
Tara