Andhra Pepper Chicken Recipe

Andhra Pepper Chicken recipe with step-by-step photos & a recipe video. This Pepper Chicken is a popular South Indian dry chicken recipe from Andhra cuisine. It is made with chicken stir-fried in freshly ground pepper masala. Serve this easy chicken recipe as a side dish with steamed rice and dal.

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Andhra cuisine is famous for its spicy dishes. The specialty of this dish is its freshly ground pepper masala. It gives an amazing aroma and restaurant-style flavor to the chicken.

The dishes from South Indian cuisine are mainly flavored with pepper. Whether it is Kerala pepper chicken or the Andhra pepper chicken recipe, the main flavor that spices up this dish is black pepper. The process and ingredients to make the recipe slightly differs.

About this recipe

In this recipe post, I am sharing how to make Andhra-style pepper chicken with homemade pepper masala. Here, I am sharing the dry version of the pepper chicken recipe.

I have posted many chicken recipes on this website but this recipe is our family favorite. Even my kids approved it. We love the beautiful aroma & the mild spicy flavor of this dish.

It is the freshly ground pepper masala that gives your dish a unique aroma and flavor. This dish looks spicy but you can always adjust the spice level as per your taste. I have shared some tips in this recipe post to reduce the spiciness of the dish.

If you like this recipe, you may be interested in these other amazing Indian chicken recipes

• Chicken Chettinad
• Chicken masala
• Kolhapuri chicken sukka
• Chicken 65
• Dahi chicken roast

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Why You Need This Recipe

• Easy step-by-step instructions with a recipe video.
• Quick & easy to make– The spices required to make this dish are very simple and easily available in the kitchen pantry.
• Easy to customize – see the ingredient list below for alternative ingredients. You can add or skip the ingredients as per your taste.
• One-pan recipe – You can make this chicken recipe in a single pan.
• Homemade pepper masala powder – The aroma and flavors of this masala are amazing. You can easily make it at home within 15 minutes.
• Make-ahead recipe – You can make this recipe ahead of time. Let it come to room temperature. Transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate. Stays good for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezer friendly – This recipe freezes well. Stays good for 15 days.
• Gluten-free

Ingredients and Substitutions

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1. Chicken – I have used boneless chicken to make this recipe. You can use chicken with bones too. Chicken with bones tastes even better.
2. Spices – Black pepper, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, cumin, cloves, green cardamom, and cinnamon.
3. Onions – I have used red onions for this recipe.
4. Ginger & garlic – Basics of Indian cuisine. It gives a nice aroma and flavor to the chicken dish. Use fresh ginger and garlic for the best flavor. You can substitute it with store-bought ginger-garlic paste.
5. Spice powders – Turmeric powder, and red chili powder. You can use any red chili powder but the spiciness of red chili powder differs. Add it according to its spiciness.
6. Salt
7. Lemon juice – It gives a nice tangy flavor to this chicken dish. Substitute it with vinegar.
8. Herbs – Coriander leaves and curry leaves.

For the detailed list of ingredients & their measurements, please check out the recipe card below.

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Tips to make the Best Pepper Chicken

1. Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to an hour.
2. If you are marinating the chicken for an hour then cover and keep it in the refrigerator. Do not skip the marination step. It makes the chicken tender and juicy.
3. Dry roast the ingredients on low heat until aromatic.
4. To reduce the spiciness – decrease the quantity of black pepper and red chili powder in the recipe. Similarly, if you want to make it spicy then increase the quantity of red chili powder in the recipe.
5. Curry leaves give this chicken masala its authentic flavor and aroma. Do not skip it.

Step-by-step instructions with photos

Preparations

1. Marinate the chicken with yogurt, salt, and turmeric powder. Cover and keep it aside for 30 minutes.
2. Crush ginger and garlic in mortar and pestle and keep it aside.
3. Chop the onions and set them aside.

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Making pepper masala

1. Heat a deep bottom pan over medium-low heat.
2. Roast cumin, black peppercorns, fennel, coriander seeds, cinnamon, green cardamom, and cloves until aromatic.
3. Transfer it to a plate. Let it cool down to room temperature.
4. Grind it to a fine powder. Pepper masala is ready.

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To make Andhra pepper chicken recipe

1. Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a deep bottom pan over medium heat.
2. Add onions and saute until translucent.
3. Next, add ginger and garlic. Saute until onions are golden.
4. Add the marinated chicken and cook until the color of the chicken changes from pink to white.
5. Add red chili powder and pepper masala.

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6. Combine and cook it for 2-3 minutes.
7. Add 2-3 tbsp water and combine.
8. Cover and cook on low-medium heat until the chicken is cooked.
9. Stir it frequently to avoid masala sticking to the bottom of the pan.
10. Taste the masala and add salt.
11. Add lemon juice and curry leaves.
12. Set the heat to medium-high. Combine and cook until the gravy dries up.
13. Cook until masala starts to leave oil from the sides.
14. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve.
15. Serve it with steamed rice and dal.

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Serving Suggestion

• Serve it with Roti/Paratha (Indian flatbread)
• You can also serve it with steamed rice and dal. It is my favorite combination. Serve some salad and lemon wedge on the side.
• Or serve it with Fried rice.

Storage Suggestion

• Store the leftovers within 2 hours of making the dish.
• Transfer the ingredients to an airtight container and refrigerate. Stays good for 5 days. Reheat until piping hot and serve.
• You can freeze it. Stays good for a month.

If you make this Andhra pepper chicken recipe, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

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