How long does Mersal Chicken take?

25 minutes from start to finish. That is 10 minutes of preparation and 15 minutes of cooking.

How many people does Mersal Chicken serve?

3. The ingredient quantities on this page rescale if you are cooking for a different number.

Is Mersal Chicken spicy?

It is medium: 2 on our scale of 3. Chilli scales gently when you change the servings, so doubling the recipe does not double the heat.

What do I need to make Mersal Chicken?

500 grams Chicken, 2 tbsp Curd, 160 grams Onion, 180 grams Tomato, 2 Green Chilli, 3 tbsp Oil, and a few more listed on this page.

Do I need a pressure cooker for Mersal Chicken?

No, it is cooked in an open pot.

How many calories are in Mersal Chicken?

About 420 a serving. The full nutrition table is on this page, per serving and for the whole batch.

Mersal ChickenCook

Mersal Chicken

Name: Mersal Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 3 servings
Cuisine: Indian, Tamil Nadu
Ingredients: 500 grams Chicken; 1 tsp Red Chilli Powder; ¼ tsp Turmeric Powder; 1 tsp Coriander Powder; 1 tsp Cumin Powder; 1 tsp Garam Masala Powder; 1 tsp Black Pepper Powder; 1 tsp Salt; 2 sprigs Curry leaves; 2 tbsp Curd; 160 grams Onion, Diced; 2 Green Chilli; 180 grams Tomato; 2 sprigs Coriander Leaves; 3 tbsp Oil; 1 cup Water

25 min
medium
Serves 3

Prep 10 min · Cook 15 min

Start cooking

3 steps, each one filmed. A short video for every step, so your hands never have to leave the pan.

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Also known as Somberi Chicken, Chicken Varuval, Chicken Fry · Non-veg · Curries & Gravies, Kuzhambu, Sambar & Rasam

Curries & Gravies Kuzhambu, Sambar & Rasam Dry sides Low carb High protein Gluten-free

Mersal chicken, or somberi chicken: chicken mixed with curd, onion, tomato and spice powders in one pot, cooked dry. Medium-spicy, serves 3, 25 min, video.

High protein

Ingredients

16 items

3 people

Chicken500 grams
Red Chilli Powder1 tsp
Turmeric Powder¼ tsp
Coriander Powder1 tsp
Cumin Powder1 tsp
Garam Masala Powder1 tsp
Black Pepper Powder1 tsp
Salt1 tsp
Curry leaves2 sprigs
Curd2 tbsp
Onion, Diced160 grams
Green Chilli2
Tomato180 grams
Coriander Leaves2 sprigs
Oil3 tbsp
Water1 cup

Contains: milk.

Nutrition

Per 1 person, and for all 3 people. Worked out from the ingredients, so treat it as a close guide.

Nutrient	Per 1 person	All 3 people
Energy	420kcal	1260kcal
Protein	36g	109g
Carbohydrate	11g	34g
Fat	26g	78g
Fibre	2.8g	8.4g
Sugar	4.5g	14g

Cookd masalas for chicken

Method

1
In a mixing bowl add all the ingredients except oil into a mixing bowl and mix everything thoroughly, or directly add everything into a pot and mix thoroughly
ChickenRed Chilli PowderTurmeric PowderCoriander PowderCumin PowderGaram Masala PowderBlack Pepper PowderSaltCurry leavesCurdOnionGreen ChilliTomatoCoriander Leaves
2
Saute the chicken on a high flame for 2 minutes.
Oil
3
Pour water and let it cook on a medium flame for 10 minutes or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and the gravy is fully reduced. Garnish with coriander leaves are serve hot with chapatis, dosas, idlies or rice.
Water

Before you start

How long does Mersal Chicken take?: 25 minutes from start to finish. That is 10 minutes of preparation and 15 minutes of cooking.
How many people does Mersal Chicken serve?: 3. The ingredient quantities on this page rescale if you are cooking for a different number.
Is Mersal Chicken vegetarian?: No, it contains meat or fish.
Is Mersal Chicken spicy?: It is medium: 2 on our scale of 3. Chilli scales gently when you change the servings, so doubling the recipe does not double the heat.
What do I need to make Mersal Chicken?: 500 grams Chicken, 2 tbsp Curd, 160 grams Onion, 180 grams Tomato, 2 Green Chilli, 3 tbsp Oil, and a few more listed on this page.
Do I need a pressure cooker for Mersal Chicken?: No, it is cooked in an open pot.
How many calories are in Mersal Chicken?: About 420 a serving. The full nutrition table is on this page, per serving and for the whole batch.

Tips from other cooks

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S
SathishJune 2025
came out really well and my wife liked it ❤️ forgot to take picture :( next recipe I’ll take pictures and post. thanks cookd team for making us love cooking!!!