How to Make Pepper Chicken

🌶️ Oil-Free Pepper Chicken

For 2 servings

Ingredients

• Chicken – bite-sized pieces
• Thick yogurt – 2 tbsp
• Ginger-garlic paste – 1 tsp
• Crushed black pepper – 1–1½ tsp
• Turmeric – ¼ tsp
• Cumin powder – ½ tsp
• Coriander powder – ½ tsp
• Garam masala – ¼ tsp
• Lemon juice – 1 tsp
• Onion – sliced
• Capsicum – sliced
• Green chilli – 1–2
• Curry leaves – 8–10
• Salt – to taste
• Fresh coriander

👩‍🍳 How to make it without oil

1. Marinate the chicken with yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, spices, lemon juice and salt for 30 minutes or overnight.
2. Heat a non-stick pan well.
3. Add curry leaves, green chilli and onion with 2–3 tbsp water. Cook until the onion softens. Add a splash of water whenever it starts sticking.
4. Add the marinated chicken and cook on medium-high heat for 5–7 minutes.
5. Cover and cook until the chicken is completely cooked and releases its juices.
6. Add capsicum and extra crushed pepper. Cook uncovered for 2–3 minutes.
7. Finish with coriander and lemon juice.

⭐ My preferred version

Use just ½–1 tsp oil rather than completely oil-free. It gives better flavour and helps with browning while still keeping the recipe very light.

Advanced prep: Marinate the chicken overnight + chop the vegetables beforehand. At mealtime, you only need to cook everything together.