Authentic Mangalorean Chicken Ghee Roast - South Indian Recipe (2024)

Ghee Roast Chicken Also called Mangalorean Chicken Ghee Roast or Kundapur Chicken is an Indian roast chicken dish made with Ghee, whole spices, tamarind and jaggery.

The first time I had Chicken Ghee Roast was in 2011, when I was visiting Bangalore to meet my then boyfriend, now husband.

We went to this iconic but now slightly shady pub with our friends and at the end of the night ,in search of some sustenance, ordered Chicken Ghee Roast with Aapams.

Since then,I have grown weary of places with dance floors but I still brave this place , just to have the chicken ghee roast.

What is Chicken Ghee Roast

The Chicken Ghee Roastis a Mangalorean speciality, also known as Kundapur Chicken.For those who have never tasted this , let me try and put it in words ,though I am sure I won't be able to do justice.

This is a spicy, slightly tangy,rich chicken roast coated with silky fiery red gravy ,made with unrealistic amount of ghee which gives it it's characteristic taste.

What sets this chicken apart from the rest of the curries, is that it has no onions or tomatoes and off course the copious amount of ghee!

While researching for this recipe I saw a lot of recipes which call for "Garam Masala" or curry powder, as some call it ,which is a very generic, loosely used term for Indian spice blend.

Every region in India has their speciality blend which can be used ubiquitously in everyday cooking.If you want to make a curry without having a specific outcome in mind, use garam masala but if you want to make an iconic dish like this Chicken Ghee Roast or Tamil Pepper chicken, make sure you follow the real recipe and make your own spice blend with actual spices.

Tips for the Best Mangalorean Chicken Ghee Roast

Make sure your spices are fresh and by that I mean they shouldn't be older than a year.

Chicken - You can use chicken on the bone or boneless chicken to make this but the cooking time of the chicken will vary depending on the cut.The boneless chicken usually cooks very fast and becomes rubbery if overcooked.While cooking with and eating boneless chicken is easier, chicken with the bones and skin will make the curry richer and more flavoursome.

This ghee roast has thick rich gravy which makes it best served with dosas, rotis or appams.But if you are like my husband and love your rice, serve this as a side with dal rice or a khichadi.

A boneless version fo this ghee roast can also be served as an appetizer and is specially good for at large parties.

Variations and Versions of Chicken Ghee Roast

The same method and recipe can be adapted to make paneer or prawn ghee roast but again the cooking time of the paneer and prawn will be very less.

You use lesser yogurt marinade and just flash fry the paneer or prawn till just cooked, before adding the red masala

You can also cook baby potatoes in the same gravy.

How to Buy Chicken for curries

The age of going to a butcher shop is long past really.I prefer getting my chicken online.And no this isn't a paid marketing stunt on my part but I like to live in denial.

The fact that I can request any cut I want, at a time I want and without lifting a finger(figuratively obviously!) has sold me on buying my nonveg produce online-Freshtohome ,Liscious and Bigbasket are my all-time favourites, in that order.

I usually order for the week-divide and freeze whatever I don't need immediately and use as and when.

To cook chicken curries , I use chicken with the bone and skin.Dont Baulk.I use chicken with skin because it adds a lot more flavour to the curry and cause my family prefers it this way.

That said,If you are on a diet, watching your fat intake(a myth that's been debunked!) then you can ask for a skinless chicken.

Use medium sized pieces for any curry.Its debatable whether chicken should be washed or not and I will leave that upto you.

Here are some more Indian Chicken Curry Recipes

Easy Creamy Methi Chicken
Tamil Style Pepper Chicken
Chicken Keema
Kerala Chicken Curry
Malabar Chicken Peralan

Here are some Mangalorean Specialities

Mangalorean Prawn Curry
Mangalorean Prawn Sukka

Find us on Instagram , Pinterest & Facebook here!
If you liked my recipe, do leave a comment!
It will help others find this amazing recipe too!