Payyoli Chicken Fry

Payyoli is a place in North Malabar, Kerala – Payyoli Chicken fry or Kerala Style Chicken Fry is very popular due to its special taste and way of preparation. Here I am using homemade meat masala, Kerala style, which can be used for any meat recipes. But you can use any other ready made meat masalas also for preparing this Kerala style chicken fry or specially called as Payyoli chicken fry.

Step 1 – Preparing meat masala powder

Ingredients

• Dried red chilli – 20 nos
• Cardamom – 5 nos
• Fennel seeds – 1 1/2 tsp
• Cinnamon stick – 2 “
• Cloves – 15 nos
• Black pepper corns – 1 tbsp
• Cumin seeds – 1/4 tsp
• Coriander seeds – 3 tbsp
• Star anise – 2 nos
• Nutmeg – 1/2 piece
• Mace – 1 no

Preparation

Firstly, Into a heated pan first add coriander seeds, fennel seeds, cumin seeds, black pepper corns. Dry roast them for 3 minutes and take it from the pan. Now add cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, star anise (break into small pieces), nutmeg and mace. Dry roast for 2 minutes. Transfer them out from the pan and dry roast the dried red chilli for 2 minutes. After cooling down, grind to fine powder. Store this powder in an airtight container for later use. You can use this for any meat preparation in Kerala style.

Step 2 – Preparing chilli paste

Ingredients

• Dried Kashmiri chilli – 20 nos
• Water – 1 cup

Preparation

Cover and cook Kashmiri chilli along with water for 5 minutes. After cooling down, grind it to a paste.

Step 3 – Preparing coconut mix

Ingredients

• Coconut(fresh) – 1 cup (grated)
• Kashmiri chilli paste – 2 tsp
• Ginger paste – 1 tsp
• Vinegar – 1 tsp
• Meat masala powder – 1 tsp (prepared in step 2 or can use any ready made meat masala powder)
• Salt – as needed
• Green chilli – 5 nos
• Coconut oil – 1 tsp
• Curry leaves – 2 sprigs

Preparation

Mix all of the above ingredients and keep aside.

Step 4 – Marinating chicken for Payyoli chicken

Ingredients

• Chicken – 1 kg (medium pieces)
• Kashmiri chilli paste – 3 tbsp (prepared in step 2)
• Ginger paste – 1 tbsp
• Lemon juice – 1 1/2 tsp
• Vinegar – 1 tsp
• Meat masala powder – 3 tsp (prepared in step 1 or can use any ready made meat masala powder)
• Coconut oil – 1 tsp
• Salt – as needed
• Curry leaves – 2 sprigs

Preparation

Mix all of the above ingredients and marinate for 30 minutes. You can use ready made meat masala powder also.

Step 5 – Frying the Payyoli chicken

Ingredients

• Coconut oil – enough for frying
• Curry leaves – 2 sprigs

Preparation

Into a heated pan add oil enough for frying. You can go for either deep or shallow frying. First fry all the chicken pieces till well cooked and crispy. Fry over medium flame. After that in same oil, fry the prepared coconut mix till brown and crispy. Transfer this to a colander to drain out the excess oil and to remain crisp. Do not use paper tissues for drying, as the fried item will get soggy. Add curry leaves while frying chicken and coconut mix. While serving the chicken sprinkle the fried coconut on it. Serve hot and enjoy!!!

Refer detailed step by step cooking video below