Kozhi (Chicken) Chukka

Description

Kozhi Chukka, also known as Chicken Chukka, is a dry-style South Indian chicken preparation from Tamil Nadu, especially popular in Madurai, Tirunelveli, and Chettinad regions. The word chukka refers to a dish that is slow-cooked until the masala clings tightly to the meat, creating a dry, intensely spiced coating.

This dish features bone-in or boneless chicken pieces cooked with a roasted spice blend made from fennel, black pepper, coriander, and dry red chilies. Onions, garlic, curry leaves, and crushed ginger form the base, which is sautéed in sesame or groundnut oil until caramelized. The chicken is slow-roasted in this masala until it turns dark, rich, and aromatic with minimal moisture.

Kozhi Chukka is typically served as a side with rice, rasam, parotta, or chapati, and remains a beloved homestyle and restaurant favorite across Tamil households in Chennai, Coimbatore, and also among communities in Mississauga, Brampton, and Calgary.