Creamy pepper lemon garlic chicken is a flavorful dish that combines the tangy zest of lemon, the robustness of garlic, the heat of black pepper, and the richness of coconut milk to create a delicious sauce for chicken.
I’ve always included onions and tomatoes in my gravy-based chicken recipes, but I recently experimented with a version without them. It has quickly become my favorite!
The creamy texture, tender chicken, and the aromatic blend of garlic and freshly ground black pepper make it irresistible.
This can be enjoyed with chapati, pathiri, ghee rice, parotta, etc.
- Chicken bone-in pieces or legs- 8 legs or bone-in pieces
- Ginger-garlic paste- 1 tbsp
- Green chilies, halved- 3
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice- 1 tbsp
- Ground black pepper- ½ tsp
- Yogurt- 3 tbsp
- Salt- 1½ tsp
- Oil- 3 tbsp
- Butter- 1 tbsp (don't skip)
- Garlic, chopped- 4 cloves (don't skip)
- Thick coconut milk- 1 cup
- Ground black pepper- ½ tsp
- Lemon juice- 1 tbsp
- Ginger, julienned- ½ tbsp
- Cilantro, chopped- ¼ cup
- Use bone-in chicken pieces for making this, I've taken 8 chicken legs, skinned.
- Using a knife score the chicken or add a couple of lines on the flesh.
- To a bowl, add the chicken & all the above-mentioned ingredients 'for marination'.
- Combine well & let marinate for an hour or longer. Can be also marinated overnight.
- Place a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add oil & butter. Don't skip adding butter.
- Add garlic chopped, saute for a minute; don't let the garlic turn brown.
- Add the marinated chicken, combine well.
- Close the pan with the lid, cook covered for 15 minutes.
- Liquid will ooze out of the chicken, so there will be enough liquid in the pan.
- Open the lid, flip over the chicken & cook till the chicken has turned cooked through.
- Let light golden spots form on the chicken.
- Add coconut milk, combine well.
- Add ground black pepper & lemon juice, combine well.
- Taste & add more salt if required.
- Cook for a few minutes.
- The gravy will be like a white sauce.
- Garnish with julienned ginger & chopped cilantro, close with the lid & cook for 2 minutes.
- Take the pan off the heat & keep it covered for a few minutes.
- The gravy will thicken.
- Place the chicken in a bowl & pour the gravy over the chicken.
- Enjoy with chapati, pathiri, parotta, naan, ghee rice, etc.