Chicken Porridge (chicken kanji)

Chicken kanji is my favourite dish to make during Ramadan. It is made with rice boiled with garlic and chicken, and flavored with coconut milk. This porridge is popular among Muslims during their month of fasting and is also ideal for breakfast. Although there are many recipes for chicken kanji, this is my version of making Chicken Kanji. 

(Serves 5)

Ingredients

250g chicken breast (cut into small cubes)

3/4 cup white Raw rice 

1/5 litre of water 

1 tablespoon of Fenugreek seeds

6 garlic pods (or more if you like)

3 cardamom 

3 cloves

A small cinnamon stick

2 tablespoon of pure ghee (or vegetable oil)

1 medium sized onion (thinly sliced)

2 green chilies (slit)/ Nai Miris 

1 small tomato (finely chopped)

1 tablespoons of ginger garlic paste

1/4 tsp turmeric powder 

1 teaspoon pepper powder or as per taste

1/2 teaspoon cumin powder

1/2 teaspoon coriander powder 

1/4 cup tamarind pulp water

Curry leaves (optional)

Salt as per taste

1 cup thick coconut milk

A piece of chicken soup cube (optional)

Chopped coriander leaves to garnish

Directions

1. Wash the rice well and soak with fenugreek seeds for 10 minutes. 

2. In a large saucepan, add the soaked rice and add 1 tsp salt and garlic pods. Cook the rice in medium heat and then after 5 minutes reduce the heat to lows. Cook the rice well. 

3. Meanwhile, heat ghee in a separate pan and add the curry leaves, pandan leaves, sliced onions, green chilies, ginger garlic paste and saute. The add the chopped tomatoes and tamarind water. Next add the spices and the chicken. Add salt to taste with 1 cup water. Mix well. Close and cook for 2 minutes in medium flame.

5. Now add the chicken mixture to the rice while its being cooked. Add soup cube at this stage if you want to. Close the rice and cook in low heat until the rice is cooked well. Mix in between. 

6. When the kanji is ready, add the thick coconut milk and mix well. Increase the heat to high until the kanji starts to boil with bubbles. Switch off flame once it started boiling. Add chopped coriander leaves to garnish if you like!

7. Chicken Kanji is ready! Enjoy!