Sri Lankan Chicken Kothu
A popular street food, Chicken Kothu is a flavorful and hearty dish made from chopped roti, stir-fried with chicken, vegetables, and spices. It's a symphony of textures and tastes, often enjoyed as a quick meal or late-night snack.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 pieces Godamba Roti(store-bought or homemade, cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 300 g Boneless, skinless chicken thighs(cut into small pieces)
- 1 medium Onion(finely chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch piece Ginger(grated)
- 2 finely chopped Green chilies(adjust to taste)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(chopped)
- 1 medium Carrot(finely diced)
- 100 g Green beans(chopped)
- 10 sprigs Curry leaves
- 0.5 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 tsp Chili powder(adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp Garam masala
- to taste Salt
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 2 optional Eggs(scrambled and added)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and stir-fry until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.
- 2
Add the remaining 2 tbsp of oil to the same pan. Add chopped onion, minced garlic, grated ginger, and green chilies. Sauté until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
- 3
Add the curry leaves, diced carrot, and chopped green beans. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender.
- 4
Stir in the chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder, chili powder, and garam masala. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes soften and the spices are well combined.
- 5
Add the chopped roti pieces and the cooked chicken back into the pan. Mix well with the vegetables and spices. If using eggs, push the mixture to one side, scramble the eggs in the empty space, then mix them into the kothu.
- 6
Season with salt to taste. Stir-fry everything together for another 5-7 minutes, ensuring the roti absorbs the flavors and becomes slightly crispy. Serve hot.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a more authentic taste, use a flat griddle or tawa for stir-frying.
- ✓Adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the green chilies and chili powder.
- ✓If you don't have Godamba roti, you can use other flatbreads like chapati or paratha, though the texture will differ.
🔄 Variations
- Vegetarian Kothu: Omit chicken and add more vegetables like cabbage, leeks, and cauliflower.
- Seafood Kothu: Use small pieces of fish or prawns instead of chicken.
- Spicy Kothu: Add a pinch of black pepper and a bit more chili powder for an extra kick.