Gavthi (Indian Village) Chicken Curry

Marinated bone-in meat lends deep flavor to a simple, rustic Indian chicken curry.

Updated June 02, 2023

a bowl of Indian Village Chicken Curry — Serious Eats

Why It Works

Using bone-in chicken lends deeper, richer flavor to a simple curry.
Toasting whole spices for the spice paste enhances their flavors.

This simple Indian chicken curry is made in the style common to the hamlets in Konkan, along the west coast of India. Using bone-in chicken lends the meat a richer, gamey flavor that's in keeping with how this dish was traditionally made, using free-roaming birds. A heavy hand with spices, including turmeric, coriander, cumin, and cinnamon, plus plenty of chili, leaves this dish intensely flavorful and fiery. Serve it over white rice or with bhakris (a type of unleavened rice bread) to soak up all the sauce.

December 2011

Recipe Details

Indian Village (Gavthi) Chicken Curry Recipe

Prep 20 mins

Cook 45 mins

Active 30 mins

Total 65 mins

Serves 3 servings

Ingredients

For the Chicken Marinade:

2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste (see note)
1/2 tablespoon ground turmeric
1 tablespoon red chile powder
1 pound (450g) bone-in chicken drumsticks and thighs, optionally cut in half through the bone with a cleaver
Kosher salt

For the Spice Paste:

1 teaspoon unroasted sesame seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
6 dried Kashmiri chile peppers
5 peppercorns
One stick cinnamon
3 cloves
2 tablespoons grated fresh coconut
1 cup (240ml) water

For the Curry:

2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil
3 slit green chiles
3 bay leaves
1 medium onion, finely chopped
Fluffy white rice, for serving

Directions

To Marinate the Chicken: In a small bowl, mix together ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, and 1 tablespoon of the red chile powder. Season chicken all over with salt, then rub all over with marinade. Set aside.
For the Spice Paste: Heat a cast iron skillet until smoking, then turn the heat down. Toast sesame seeds, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, Kashmiri chiles, peppercorns, cinnamon stick, and cloves until they release their aroma, about 15 seconds, stirring constantly so they don't burn. Set aside to cool.
Once toasted spices have cooled, using an immersion blender or countertop blender, blend spices with coconut and 3 tablespoons (45ml) water until a smooth paste has formed. Set aside.
For the Curry: In a heavy-bottomed, lidded saucepan, heat oil until shimmering, then turn the heat down. Add green chiles and bay leaves. Stir until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Add onion and keep stirring until soft but not brown, about 5 minutes.
Add spice paste and keep stirring until fragrant and until oil floats on top, about 10 minutes. Add marinated chicken pieces and stir until coated in the spice mix, about 5 minutes. Add remaining water to thin out the mixture for more gravy.
Season with salt, stir once, and cover pot. Turn heat to medium. Cook for about 15 minutes or until chicken is tender. Open lid, stir, and serve hot with fluffy white rice.

Special Equipment

Cast iron skillet, immersion blender or countertop blender

Notes

To make ginger-garlic paste, very finely mince, grate, or process equal parts peeled fresh ginger and peeled garlic.

Serious Entertaining: An Indian Buffet

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
370	Calories
23g	Fat
21g	Carbs
24g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 3
Amount per serving
Calories	370
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 23g	29%
Saturated Fat 5g	23%
Cholesterol 107mg	36%
Sodium 552mg	24%
Total Carbohydrate 21g	7%
Dietary Fiber 6g	23%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 24g
Vitamin C 41mg	206%
Calcium 121mg	9%
Iron 5mg	26%
Potassium 675mg	14%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.