Surati Chicken Tapelu: Khatri Community’s Legendary Chicken Curry
Surati Chicken Tapelu is a traditional Surat delicacy from the Khatri community, prepared in a large vessel called a Tapelu. The dish features a rich, slow-cooked chicken gravy made with aromatic spices like cinnamon, cloves, and a special chicken masala powder. Typically served during special occasions and celebrations, this flavorful curry is prepared by carefully sautéing chicken with a blend of onion-tomato paste, ginger-garlic-turmeric mixture, and finished with butter, making it a beloved culinary tradition
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken cut into medium-sized pieces
- 2 medium onions sliced
- 1/2 cup hung curd
- 1/2 cup tomato puree
- 4 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 tbsp ghee
- 1 1/2 tsp green chili paste
- 1 tbsp ginger paste
- 1/2 tsp garlic paste
- 2 tbsp kashmiri red chili powder for marination
- 1 tbsp kashmiri red chili powder for base
- 1 tbsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp kasoori methi powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder for marination
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder for base
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
- salt
- fresh coriander
- 2 cups water adjust as needed
Instructions
Marinate the chicken
- In a large bowl, combine 1 lb chicken pieces with 1/2 cup hung curd, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 2 tbsp kashmiri red chili powder, and salt to taste.
- Mix well and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare the base
- Heat 4 tbsp cooking oil and 1 tbsp ghee in a large pan over medium flame.
- Add sliced 2 medium onions and cook until light pink.
- Stir in 1 1/2 tsp green chili paste, 1 tbsp ginger paste, and 1/2 tsp garlic paste. Sauté for 2 minutes.
Add spices
- Add remaining 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tbsp kashmiri red chili powder, and 1 tbsp coriander powder. Sauté for 1 minute.
- Pour in 1/2 cup tomato puree, mix well, cover, and cook for 2-3 minutes until oil separates.
Cook the chicken
- Add marinated chicken to the pan, mix with spices, cover, and cook for 5 minutes.
- Stir in 1/2 tsp garam masala, 1 tsp kasoori methi powder, and salt.
- Add 2 cups water (or more for extra gravy).
Finish and serve
- Cover and simmer for 5-7 minutes until chicken is fully cooked.
- Garnish with fresh coriander.
- Serve hot with roti.