9 South Indian Chicken Curries perfect for weekday dinner

South Indian cuisine boasts a wide range of chicken curries made in different regions that use regional ingredients including spices, coconut, and tamarind. Chicken is said to be low on fat, rich in B vitamins and selenium, which makes it ideal for muscle recovery after workouts. Chicken is also said to provide all nine essential amino acids in favorable proportions, making it a “complete” protein useful for maintaining and building lean body mass. A PMC study on different chicken parts and cooking methods states that protein and essential amino acid retention remains high (generally above about 80–90%), with roasted or steamed breast retaining particularly good protein and amino acid levels. Take a look at these must-try South Indian Chicken Curries that are perfect for weekday dinner.

This popular chicken curry uses a unique spice blend along with tomatoes, onions, cinnamons, and hot red chillies that are mixed and cooked with marinated chicken.

This popular chicken curry uses a delectable mix of spices and herbs tossed with chicken chunks along with cashew nut and poppy seed paste and chicken masala. It is best served with parotta.

This chicken curry uses a tangy mix of tamarind and a melange of spices, guntur chillies, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, tomatoes, salt, sugar, and figs.

This chicken dish is slow cooked on dum and uses spices like chilli powder, cloves, coriander seeds, ginger, curry leaves, grated coconut, onion, tomatoes, salt, and sugar.

It is a traditional Mangalorean-style chicken curry from Karnataka’s coastal region. Known for its bold flavors, the dish combines tender chicken cooked in a rich gravy made with freshly roasted spices, coconut, red chillies, garlic and tamarind. (Image: Instragram/chefguntas)

Kundapur is a coastal town of Karnataka and this regional chicken dish uses the popular Kundapur powder/paste which is made with with a roasted and ground mix of cloves, peppercorn, cumin seeds, cinnamon, coriander, whole red chillies and grated coconut.It is then sautéed with chicken, onion and tomatoes for a flavourful curry that is best served with rice. (Image: Instagram/nandusfoods)

It is a light and simple curry made with chicken and whole spices, simmered in coconut milk and is best served with appam.

This aromatic chicken curry is a Kerala-style curry made in coconut oil, and also uses curry leaves, mustard seeds, cinnamon, and other whole spices along with marinated chicken.

Rich in spices, this is a classic chicken curry that uses coconut, coriander powder, ginger garlic paste, red chillies, roasted peanuts, garam masala, curry leaves, and tamarind juice.

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