Grandma’s Country Captain Chicken was a very popular dish during Colonial times since it was very easy to prepare. In those days, well-fed, homegrown country chickens were used in its preparation. The chickens were cooked together with freshly ground ingredients. for hours over a firewood oven to bring out its rich and delicious taste. This dish presumably got its name from an old Grandma who prepared this special dish for her favourite grand son, a Captain in the British Army! Another explanation is that this particular chicken dish was first prepared by a Captain on a Country Boat! Whatever the origins, it was a very popular and tasty dish that is still cooked even today in many Anglo-Indian Homes.
Recipe for Grandma’ Country Captain Chicken
Serves 6
Preparation Time 30 minutes
Ingredients:
1 kg chicken cut into medium size pieces
3 large onions sliced finely
2 teaspoons chilly powder
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
2 tablespoons oil
Salt to taste
2 tablespoons garlic paste
2 sticks cinnamon
4 cloves
2 cardamoms
6 or 8 whole pepper corns
2 Dry Red Chillies broken into bits

Heat oil in a pan and fry the onions cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, red chillie and pepper corns lightly. Add the chicken, mix in the garlic paste and sauté for about 5 minutes on medium heat. Add the chillie powder, turmeric powder, and salt. Mix well and stir fry for a few minutes. Add ½ cup of water and cook till the chicken is tender and the gravy is quite thick.

Ps. This recipe can be adapted to meat as well. Left over Beef or Lamb Roast can be made into a delicious County Captain Fry or a cold meat curry if desired.