Smear 2 tbsp of pepper powder and salt onto the chicken pieces.

Pierce the chicken pieces with a fork and let the chicken marinate for a few hours.

Heat butter in a pan and fry the chicken pieces one by one. They should not be deep-fried, but just like frying onions. Keep the fried chicken pieces aside.

In the same butter, fry the sliced onions, cardamoms, ginger, garlic, cloves and cinnamon.

When the onions turn brown, add the coriander powder, chilly powder, turmeric and cumin powder and fry for 1-2 minutes.

Add the grated coconut, tomatoes and keep frying. Do not add any water.

Add the remaining pepper powder and fry for a minute.

Add water, enough to get a thick gravy.

Drop the fried chicken pieces into the gravy.

Add salt to taste and boil for 10-15 minutes, till chicken is well mixed with the pepper masala.

Garnish with coriander leaves.

:- Serve hot with rice.