• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sharmis Passions
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Baby Food
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Baby Food
  • About
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • Baby Food
    • About
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    You are here: Home / RandomPosts / Chicken Kulambu | Chicken Kuzhambu

    Chicken Kulambu | Chicken Kuzhambu

    Last Updated On: Aug 9, 2024 by Sharmilee J

    66
    Shares

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Chicken Kulambu is a traditional and popular South Indian curry. Chicken Kulambu can be made easily either in one pot or pressure cooker. Chicken Kulambu or Kuzhambu is so flavorful and tasty making it perfect to pair up with rice, idli, dosa or roti. Learn to make Chicken Kulambu with step by step pictures and video.

    chicken kulambu served in a white bowl

    Chicken Kulambu is a flavorful and tasty curry and can be made in one pot or in pressure cooker. Either ways it is easy but pressure cooker method is quick but taste wise open pot method is best. So when I have time I always prefer open pot method. Do try and enjoy!

    About Chicken Kulambu

    Chicken Kulambu is a spicy and popular South Indian curry made by cooking chicken with onion, tomato, ginger, garlic, coconut, spice powders, , spices and herbs. This chicken kulambu makes the family come for more for its taste.

    Spicy and flavorful chicken kulambu is easy and quick to make. This kulambu is a basic recipe but you can tweak in your variations. Here in kongunadu we make a version of kulambu which is very watery called as thanni kulambu will share the recipe later. This chicken kulambu is thickened with coconut paste and spice powers.

    This Chicken Kulambu is spicy and flavorful perfect to enjoy with some hot rice or phulka. This Chicken curry is one of the most popular recipes here in this space, it is our family recipe passed on to me by amma. You can use this same recipe to make mutton kulambu too.

    chicken kulambu served in a white bowl

    Chicken Kulambu Video

    You can make this kulambu in pressure cooker or open pot method. Just dump in all the ingredients, saute well and your chicken curry is ready in minutes.

    I usually make this chicken kulambu to pair with rice for lunch and have the leftover with chapathi for dinner. Vegetarians I have you covered too you can use this recipe with potatoes, mushroom, paneer, channa, baby corn etc.

    Chicken Kulambu can be served with rice, roti, parotta, poori, chapathi, etc. It serves well with plain steamed rice and pulao too.

    chicken kulambu in a ladle

    Similar Recipes

    • Chicken curry
    • Chicken chettinad
    • Chicken gravy
    • Pepper chicken
    • Chicken kurma

    Chicken Kuzhambu Ingredients

    • Chicken – Use broiler chicken that is cut into small pieces. If using country chicken also known as naatu kozhi chicken pressure cook for 3-4 whistles.
    • Tempering – Aromatic whole spices like cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, bay leaf and fennel seeds along with curry leaves are added for tempering.
    • Ginger garlic paste – Ginger garlic paste is a must for any non veg dish. It adds aroma and flavor.
    • Onion & Tomato – Big onion and juicy tomatoes are used. Additionally you can use 6 shallots along with big onion.
    • Spice powders – Turmeric powder, Red chili powder, Coriander powder, Garam masala powder, Cumin powders are added for flavor and thickness which it gives to the curry.
    • Coconut paste – Fresh grated coconut or cut pieces are added with other ingredients like pepper, fennel seeds, cashews and grind to a fine paste. This when added makes the curry thick.
    • Garnish – A lavish sprinkle of coriander leaves is added at the final stage.
    ingredients needed to make chicken kulambu

    How to make Chicken Kuzhambu Step by Step

    1.Add 1/2 cup coconut along with 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 6 cashews, little water.

    add items to grind

    2.Add to a mixer and grind it to a semi fine paste. Set it aside.

    grind to a fine paste

    3.To a large pot : heat 2 tablespoon oil – add 1 small bay leaf, two 1/2 inch cinnamon, 2 cloves, 2 cardamom, 1 teaspoon fennel seeds and a sprig of curry leaves. You can add 2 small green chilies if you want it more spicy.

    add items to temper

    4.Now add 2 medium sized onion(finely chopped) along with 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste, salt to taste.

    add onion

    5.Saute until transparent.

    saute well

    6.Now add 2 medium sized tomatoes.

    add tomato

    7.Saute until mushy and raw smell leaves. You can cook covered to make it fast.

    saute until mushy

    8.Add 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder, 2 tablespoon coriander powder, 1 teaspoon cumin powder and 1 teaspoon garam masala powder.

    add spice powders

    9.Saute for a minute.

    saute well

    10.Add 500 grams chicken cleaned.

    add chicken

    11.Saute for at least 7-10 minutes in medium flame. This is the most important step so don’t skip it.

    saute well

    12.Add 2 and 1/2 cups water to it and let it start to boil.

    add water let it boil

    13.Cook covered for 20-25 minutes or until chicken turns soft.

    cook covered

    14.Open and check by cutting with a spoon.

    check if chicken is cooked

    15.Add prepared coconut paste along with 1/2 cup rinsed water.

    add coconut paste

    16.Mix it well.

    mix it well

    17.Let it boil for 7-10 minutes.

    boil well

    18.Add 2 tablespoon coriander leaves.

    add coriander leaves

    19.Mix it well and switch off.

    mix well and switch off

    Chicken Kuzhambu is ready!

    Expert Tips

    • Small onions can be added along with big onion. If adding small onion or shallots add around 10 small onion.
    • You can cook this dish in pressure cooker or one pot. If using pressure cooker, leave 2 whistles for broiler chicken and 4 whistles for country chicken.
    • You can add 2 teaspoon roasted gram dal along with coconut to grind which makes the kulambu more thick.
    • Once coconut paste is added, just boil for 7-10 minutes or until oil floats on top.
    • You can add 2 small potatoes cut into big pieces. Add it half way when chicken is cooking.

    Serving & Storage

    Chicken Kulambu serves well with roti, rice, parotta, chapathi, pulao etc. This Chicken Kulambu keeps well in fridge for about 2 days.

    FAQS

    1.How to thicken chicken kulambu?

    Adding coconut along with cashews, roasted gram dal paste makes the kulambu thick. You can even add 1 teaspoon rice four mixed with water to thicken the curry.

    2.What is the trick for a tasty chicken kulambu?

    Saute the raw chicken well at least for 10 minutes before proceeding to next step. This makes the chicken kulambu more flavorful and tasty.

    3.How to make chicken kulambu more spicy?

    Add 2 green chilies along with tempering items if you want to make chicken kulambu more spicy.

    chicken kulambu served in a white bowl

    If you have any more questions about this Chicken Kulambu Recipe do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter .

    Tried this Chicken Kulambu Recipe? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.

    📖 Recipe Card

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Chicken Kulambu Recipe | Chicken Kuzhambu Recipe

    Chicken Kulambu is a traditional and popular South Indian curry. Chicken Kulambu can be made easily either in one pot or pressure cooker. Chicken Kulambu or Kuzhambu is so flavorful and tasty making it perfect to pair up with rice, idli, dosa or roti. Learn to make Chicken Kulambu with step by step pictures and video.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time35 minutes mins
    Total Time50 minutes mins
    Servings5
    AuthorSharmilee J

    Ingredients

    • 500 grams chicken
    • 2 medium sized onion chopped finely
    • 2 medium sized tomatoes chopped roughly
    • 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
    • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
    • 1 tablespoon chili powder
    • 2 tablespoon coriander powder
    • 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
    • 2 tablespoon coriander leaves
    • salt to taste
    • water as needed

    For grinding

    • 1/2 cup coconut
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
    • 6 cashews
    • water as needed

    For tempering

    • 2 tablespoon oil
    • 1 small bay leaf
    • two 1/2 inch cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
    • 2 cloves
    • 2 cardamom
    • a sprig curry leaves

    Instructions

    • Add 1/2 cup coconut along with 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 6 cashews, little water.
    • Add to a mixer and grind it to a semi fine paste. Set it aside.
    • To a large pot : heat 2 tablespoon oil – add 1 small bay leaf, two 1/2 inch cinnamon, 2 cloves, 2 cardamom, 1 teaspoon fennel seeds and a sprig of curry leaves. You can add 2 small green chilies if you want it more spicy.
    • Now add 2 medium sized onion(finely chopped) along with 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste, salt to taste.
    • Saute until transparent.
    • Now add 2 medium sized tomatoes.
    • Saute until mushy and raw smell leaves. You can cook covered to make it fast.
    • Add 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder, 2 tablespoon coriander powder, 1 teaspoon cumin powder and 1 teaspoon garam masala powder.
    • Saute for a minute.
    • Add 500 grams chicken cleaned.
    • Saute for at least 7-10 minutes in medium flame. This is the most important step so don’t skip it.
    • Add 2 and 1/2 cups water to it and let it start to boil.
    • Cook covered for 20-25 minutes or until chicken turns soft.
    • Open and check by cutting with a spoon.
    • Add prepared coconut paste along with 1/2 cup rinsed water.
    • Mix it well.
    • Let it boil for 7-10 minutes.
    • Add 2 tablespoon coriander leaves.
    • Mix it well and switch off.

    Video

    Notes

    • Small onions can be added along with big onion. If adding small onion or shallots add around 10 small onion.
    • You can cook this dish in pressure cooker or one pot. If using pressure cooker, leave 2 whistles for broiler chicken and 4 whistles for country chicken.
    • You can add 2 teaspoon roasted gram dal along with coconut to grind which makes the kulambu more thick.
    • Once coconut paste is added, just boil for 7-10 minutes or until oil floats on top.
    • You can add 2 small potatoes cut into big pieces. Add it half way when chicken is cooking.
    Nutrition Facts
    Chicken Kulambu Recipe | Chicken Kuzhambu Recipe
    Amount Per Serving (150 g)
    Calories 316 Calories from Fat 198
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 22g34%
    Saturated Fat 7g44%
    Trans Fat 0.1g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 4g
    Monounsaturated Fat 9g
    Cholesterol 64mg21%
    Sodium 774mg34%
    Potassium 424mg12%
    Carbohydrates 13g4%
    Fiber 4g17%
    Sugar 4g4%
    Protein 17g34%
    Vitamin A 673IU13%
    Vitamin C 14mg17%
    Calcium 54mg5%
    Iron 2mg11%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @sharmispassions or tag #sharmispassions
    Like our video?Subscribe to our youtube channel to get latest updates!

    66
    Shares

    Filed Under: Chicken, Chicken Recipes, Diwali Non-Veg Recipes, Kuzhambu - Indian Curries, Non Veg Recipes, Ramzan, RandomPosts, Recently Updated, Updated

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Reshmi Mahesh

      July 05, 2012 at 6:21 pm

      Chicken kuzhambu looks very tempting…Love with chapathi…Loved the curry bucket…cute…

      Reply
    2. Paaka Shaale

      July 05, 2012 at 6:26 pm

      That is indeed a very cute bucket!!! The curry looks very tempting. Great photography as usual 🙂

      Reply
    3. Ramya Bala

      July 05, 2012 at 6:44 pm

      Chicken curry looks gr8 🙂 My chicken curry also has almost the same ingredients, except for that cashews..I add pottukadalai or sometimes only poppy seed for the thickness 🙂

      Reply
    4. ANU

      July 05, 2012 at 8:07 pm

      wow luv the cute bucket..that holds this awesome chicken curry! impressive 🙂

      Reply
    5. Shabitha Karthikeyan

      July 05, 2012 at 11:56 pm

      Cute bucket Sharmi. Gravy looks very tempting !! Super clicks !!

      Reply
    6. runnergirlinthekitchen.blogspot.com

      July 06, 2012 at 1:36 am

      A bucket full of delicious goodness..mouthwatering!

      Reply
    7. Madhu Pravin

      July 06, 2012 at 7:04 am

      Haribhavanam serves authentic chettinad dish n I jus love the Kal Dosai they serve there 🙂 one of my fav hangouts 🙂 yummy chicken kuzhambu n mouth-watering 🙂 lemme try n let u know 🙂

      Reply
    8. Valarmathi Sanjeev

      July 06, 2012 at 7:55 am

      These type of props are great for indian food photography. Looks cute and the dish looks absolutely delicious.

      Reply
    9. Priya

      July 06, 2012 at 9:57 am

      Mouthwatering here, wat a terrific and super tempting dish..

      Reply
    10. Nalini's Kitchen

      July 06, 2012 at 3:04 pm

      Cute looking bucket,nice prop to take food picture.The chicken kulambhu looks tempting,we do make it almost the same way but use poppy seeds instead of pottukadalai…

      Reply
    11. Suja Manoj

      July 06, 2012 at 4:21 pm

      Yummy chicken curry,so tempting and cute buckets..

      Reply
    12. M D

      July 06, 2012 at 4:41 pm

      Beautiful pics Sharmi!

      Reply
    13. Abraham Chacko

      July 06, 2012 at 5:07 pm

      Yummy chicken curry

      Reply
    14. Sangeetha

      July 06, 2012 at 7:29 pm

      Very delicious chicken curry, i too make it almost the same way except the addition of cashew nuts, n also i add few chopped mint leaves before pressure cook…but it looks so tempting n yummy thru your camera/pictures 🙂 very nice bucket, i am also eagerly waiting for our VISA extension result, if negative will be more happy in one way that i can buy whichever props/things i need for my food photography…really i envy your style,props,pics :))

      Reply
    15. Mélange

      July 07, 2012 at 5:26 am

      This Kuzhambu looks extremely delicious.I think addition of pottukadalai and all is something new to me..looks rich and authentic..

      Reply
    16. Supriya's Rasoi

      July 08, 2012 at 7:50 am

      Shrami the presentation is so nice. The curry looks very tempting.

      Reply
    17. manjooo

      July 08, 2012 at 11:04 am

      Yummmm…as usual nice clicks!!!

      Reply
    18. Unknown

      October 11, 2012 at 2:53 pm

      Dear sharmilee akka
      I made it yesterday.waw turned out great.
      What a surprise my dad he gave me good comment.There is no leftover akka as usually it happens.
      Every one in my family apperiated me.
      All because of god and u akka.
      Though the preparation was little long,it was nice.i got confident after putting on the pressure.
      Thank u akka.
      Regards,
      Mymoon

      Reply
    19. Rathipriya Surendhar

      March 27, 2013 at 9:26 pm

      Hi Sharmi,
      I did chicken curry yesterday night for dinner. Just followed the above steps..it came out really well as usual..thanks for the recipe 🙂

      Reply
    20. Dhans

      November 13, 2013 at 2:17 pm

      I tried today and it came good. Thanks for sharing the recipe

      Reply
    21. Archana Shekar

      November 14, 2013 at 6:38 pm

      hi sharmi i tried your chicken kozhmbu it came out very well me and husband liked it very much do keep posting more tasty recipes

      Reply
    22. Archana Shekar

      November 14, 2013 at 6:40 pm

      hi tried ur recipe cam eout very well my husband liked it do keep posting more tasty recipes

      Reply
    23. Shobana Vijay

      November 19, 2013 at 2:03 pm

      Interesting …texture looks great dear.I never add chutney deal for grinding
      Shobas Delight

      Reply
    24. Krithika Premkumar

      November 25, 2013 at 8:03 am

      Mrs.sharmi… i just saw this chicken kuzhambu recipie.i am going to try it today… thanks for the recipie.

      Reply
    25. Jaya

      December 29, 2013 at 7:10 am

      I made this recipe today. loved it and so easy to make.

      Reply
    26. Megella

      April 28, 2014 at 6:20 am

      This kuzhambu was some what different from any other chicken kuzhambu I had tried, my family loved it and me too, added potatoes since kids love it. The coriander leaves added to the aroma….and surely will make it again. Thumbs Up !

      Reply
    27. baskar

      May 10, 2014 at 7:33 am

      sharmi good day
      you not mention when to add the grinded paste ?

      Reply
      • SHARMILEE J

        May 11, 2014 at 6:59 am

        Check step4..I have mentioned to add the coconut paste

        Reply
    28. naveen m

      May 10, 2014 at 8:17 am

      Thanks

      Reply
    29. naveen m

      May 10, 2014 at 8:22 am

      Hi mam:-)
      We r bachelors living seperate from home..wenever we r cookin we used to cal mom n ask each n everything but nowadays not lyk dat coz ur blog made everything simple. Really thanks a lot mam

      Reply
    30. cindrella in form

      June 25, 2014 at 1:56 am

      Asusal mouthwatering recipe
      I have become a great fan of u

      Reply
    31. vidya jayraj

      August 15, 2014 at 7:49 am

      I just tried out your chicken curry recipe. It came out so delicious. For a very long time I was searching for a good recipe. Today I finally found it. Thank you so much. God bless

      Reply
    32. Noreen Juanita

      September 12, 2014 at 2:38 am

      Dear Sharmi, I think its high time I thanked u for coming to my rescue and making me believe tat I too can cook. I used to be a disaster in the kitchen but now I ve greatly improved. I wud surely say u are an angel in disguise. Nd yes the chicken Kuzhambu was a sooper dooper hit 🙂 God bless. Keep rocking 🙂

      Reply
    33. collins

      August 06, 2017 at 7:02 pm

      I tried this recepie. It was really delicious. Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply
    34. Savita

      May 23, 2018 at 7:36 pm

      Hi Ms Sharmilee ur recipe says small onions 10 no. But ubhv not mentioned where to add them can u pls guide…

      Reply
      • Sharmilee J

        May 24, 2018 at 7:32 am

        kindly check step2 pic

        Reply
    35. Savita

      May 23, 2018 at 7:54 pm

      Hi Sharmilee,
      U have mentioned Small Onions no. pls guide as to where to add them.

      Reply
      • Sharmilee J

        May 24, 2018 at 7:32 am

        Add it along with big onions itself in step2

        Reply
    36. Shrisakthi

      March 11, 2025 at 7:49 pm

      I tried this chicken Kulambu and it turned out yummy 😊✨👌

      Reply
    3.84 from 12 votes (12 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hello, I’m Sharmilee - author,recipe creator and photographer behind Sharmis Passions.

    More about me →

    Latest Recipes

    • Lemon Mint Juice Recipe

    • Tortilla Chips Recipe (Fried & Baked)

    • Carrot Rice Recipe

    • Spring Rolls Recipe

    See more new recipes →

    Popular Recipes

    • Cajun Potatoes Recipe (Barbeque Nation Style)

    • Black Tea

    • icing sugar3
      Icing Sugar Recipe | How to make Icing Sugar

    • homemade chocolate01
      Homemade Chocolate

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Privacy

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Stay Connected

    Copyright © 2025 Text,Images and Content Copyrighted by Sharmis Passions

    Managed by Host My Blog

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.