Pepper Chicken Gravy | Chicken Kali Mirch

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Black Pepper Chicken Gravy, also popularly known as Chicken Kali Mirch, is a classic and most loved Indian chicken dish for its rich and fiery flavors. This gravy pairs very well with roti, chapati, paratha, steamed rice, and dosa. Perfect for weeknight dinners or any special occasion.

Don't miss out on our popular chicken biryani and classic indian butter chicken.

Black pepper chicken gravy - Chicken Kali mirch - side dish for naan, roti, chapati, dosa, rice.

Chicken kali mirch gravy

With black pepper, aromatic spices, onion-garlic paste, and curry leaves, this pepper chicken has a perfect balance of heat and depth. Packed with full of flavor, quick and easy to make, this chicken dish is a must-try for all spicy food lovers.

This gravy goes well with any South Indian dosas like neer dosa, plain dosa, ragi rotti, flatbreads like naan, roti, chapati, paratha, or steamed rice, onion rice, or ghee rice. You can check our list of classic Indian flatbread recipes.

I already have a recipe for dhaba style chicken kali mirch where the chicken is marinated, and the dish is prepared in a slightly different way. Today's recipe is Madurai, Tamil Nadu style spicy black peppery chicken gravy.

Black pepper chicken curry or kali mirch served with malabar paratha for dinner.

Ingredients

To make the paste, use onion, garlic, and ginger.
Spice powders: turmeric, red chile, coriander, garam masala, cumin.
Black pepper powder: freshly ground gives the best flavor. But you can use store-bought powders, too.
Herbs: Curry leaves, cilantro, and pudina.
Chicken: whole leg pieces (thighs, drumsticks) work the best for this gravy.

Check out the recipe card for the full list of the ingredients.

Make onion paste

Add onions, garlic cloves, and ginger to a blender or mixer jar and blend them into a smooth paste.

Making of the black pepper chicken recipe.

Making of the gravy

Heat oil in a pan. Add saunf, green chilies, and curry leaves and saute for 1-2 minutes.
Add the ground onion-ginger-garlic paste and saute for 8-10 minutes.
Add turmeric, red chile, coriander, and garam masala powder and saute for 1 minute.
Add the pureed tomato and mix well. Cover and cook for 5 to 6 minutes.
Add chicken, coriander leaves, pudina, and salt, and mix well.
Cook uncovered on medium-high flame for 5 minutes.
Add ½ cup water. Cook covered on a medium flame for 15 to 18 minutes—the time it takes for the leg pieces. Stir every 5 minutes.
Add black pepper powder and cumin powder and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
Serve pepper chicken gravy with steamed rice, Malabar paratha, naan, roti, or chapati, and enjoy.

Making of Spicy black pepper chicken or murgh kali mirch recipe.

Tips

Adjust black pepper and other spices to adjust to your liking.
No yogurt, cream, or milk is used to make this dish.

Recipe FAQs

What does chicken Kali Mirch taste like?

Black pepper chicken is a spicy and aromatic gravy packed full of flavors from a bend of spices, with black pepper being the star.

Homemade spicy black pepper chicken gravy, Indian style. Murgh kali mirch.

More side dishes

Recipe card

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