I’m excited to share a comforting recipe from my hometown—Chettinad Chicken Soup also known as Kozhi Rasam. This hearty soup combines bone-in chicken with a rich blend of aromatic spices and traditional masalas. It’s widely cherished in Tamilnadu not only for its delicious taste but also for its soothing properties, perfect for easing colds and coughs. The mix of whole spices like pepper and cumin adds both flavor and health benefits.
What You’ll Find On This Page
This distinctive soup is a local favorite, commonly enjoyed as a starter in restaurants or as a nourishing meal at home. It pairs wonderfully either by itself or over rice. For a special treat, I like to serve it with crispy chicken 65 or chicken pakora for some added crunch. Try making it yourself and experience a piece of Tamilnadu at your dining table!
Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
For this Tamilnadu-style Chicken Soup, you'll need a range of ingredients, including several Indian spices and masalas. You might need to stop by an Indian grocery store to pick them up. Let’s take a look at what you will need:
Main Ingredients
- Chicken: Country chicken is ideal, but bone-in pieces of organic chicken also work excellently.
- Coriander, Curry Leaves, and Green Chili: These herbs and chili provide a fresh and aromatic touch typical of many traditional chicken dishes.
- Sesame Oil: It gives the soup a rustic and earthy flavor that is distinct to Chettinad cuisine.
- Ginger Garlic Paste: A crucial ingredient for removing any raw meat odors and enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.
- Onion and Tomatoes: Pearl onions are preferred for their authentic flavor, while tomatoes contribute a subtle tartness to the soup.
Indian Masala and Spices
- Masala Powder: A blend of turmeric, chili, coriander, and garam masala powders brings warmth and depth to the soup.
- Whole Spices: Bay leaves, cinnamon, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, and star anise contribute rich flavors and aromas.
- Cumin and Pepper Powder: Sprinkled in towards the end, these spices intensify the soup’s overall flavor profile.
How to Make this Chicken Soup at Home?
Let’s transform these ingredients into a delicious Tamilnadu-style Chicken Soup. Follow along with my step-by-step photos and video below to see how you can easily bring this comforting dish to life right in your kitchen.
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- Vegetable Soup
Chicken Soup (Tamilnadu Style)
Ingredients
- 0.55 lb Chicken, bone-in cut and cleaned
- ½ cup Shallots, sliced
- 2 Green chili, sliced
- 1 tsp Ginger garlic paste
- 2 cloves Garlic, crushed
- ¼ cup Sesame Oil
- 1 Bay leaves
- 4 Cardamom
- 1 Star anise
- 3 Cinnamon, small sticks
- 4 Cloves
- ¾ tsp Cumin seeds
- ½ tsp Fennel seeds
- 1 tsp Urad dhal
- 2 Tomato, finely chopped
- ¼ tsp Turmeric powder
- ½ tsp Chili powder
- 1 tsp Coriander powder
- ¼ tsp Garam masala
- 1 tsp Salt, to taste
- 1 cup Water
- 1 tsp Cumin powder
- 1 tsp Pepper powder
- ¼ cup Coriander leaves, chopped, for garnishing
Instructions
Preparing Chicken Soup (Kozhi Rasam)
- Start by heating oil in a pan over a medium flame. Add bay leaves, cardamom, star anise, cinnamon sticks, cloves, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, and urad dal to create a fragrant spice mix.
- Add small onions and green chili to the pan. Sauté until the onions are soft and translucent, ensuring they cook evenly.
- Mix in the ginger-garlic paste and continue cooking until the raw smell disappears, essential for a good base flavor.
- Add tomatoes and sauté until they break down and become mushy, forming a rich and flavorful base for the soup.
- Stir in turmeric, chili, coriander, garam masala powder, and a pinch of salt, ensuring everything is well combined and the flavors meld.
- Introduce chicken pieces, making sure they are thoroughly coated with the spice mixture, crucial for infusing the chicken with the spices.
- Cover the pan and let the chicken simmer for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate deeply into the meat.
- Remove the lid, add water, and bring to a boil. Cover the pan again and continue to cook for another 10 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook through and the flavors to deepen.
- Towards the end, sprinkle in cumin and pepper powder along with crushed garlic to enhance the soup’s aromatic profile.
- Finish by garnishing with fresh coriander leaves for a burst of herbal flavor, then remove from heat and turn off the stove. Your Chicken Soup Rasam is now ready to enjoy!
Serving
- Enjoy this aromatic Chicken Soup hot, savoring it as a soul-warming drink on its own or paired with fluffy white rice for a comforting meal. For more pairing ideas, be sure to check out our Serving Suggestions section below.
Recipe Video
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
Looking for more? Explore our collection of chicken soups and hearty comfort food recipes, along with delicious Indian chicken dishes. Each recipe is crafted to enrich your dining experience with a variety of flavors and textures from around the world.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
- Serving: Enjoy this soup by itself, or serve it hot over white rice for a more filling meal. It’s perfect for when you’re feeling under the weather with a cough or cold. It pairs beautifully with side dishes such as chicken chinthamani, pepper chicken, chicken sukka, chicken chettinad, chicken 65 or chicken pakora, each adding unique flavors and richness to your meal.
- Storage: This Chicken Soup stays fresh for a day at room temperature. For extended storage, keep it in the refrigerator for up to two days in an airtight container.
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