Chicken Devel (Sri Lankan Devilled Chicken)

Sri Lankan Chicken Devel

Sri Lankan Chicken Devilled and the Fire in the Fog

The hills of Ella had swallowed me whole.

I had come for the trains, the endless green, the kind of quiet that makes men reconsider their lives. But the mist had rolled in fast, thick as wool, turning the world into nothing but shifting shadows and the distant hum of unseen waterfalls. I had no choice but to stop.

The guesthouse was perched on the edge of the hillside, its walls half-swallowed by creeping vines, the kind of place run by a man who had once been something else—maybe a smuggler, maybe a monk. It was impossible to tell.

“You eat?” he asked, as though I had any other option.

I nodded.

And so the fire began.

The plate arrived, piled high with chicken, bone-in, the color of a setting sun—deep red, slick with oil, reckless with spice. The air filled with vinegar sharp enough to wake the dead, onions blackened at the edges, tomatoes collapsed into something dark and urgent.

And then, the chilies.

They were everywhere, scattered like a warning, sliced so thin I almost mistook them for decoration. Almost.

I took a bite.

The first wave—deceptively sweet, the sugar coaxing me in like a siren in calm water. Then, the second—heat that did not build so much as erupt. My throat closed. My sinuses cleared. My soul briefly left my body and reconsidered returning.

Across the table, the guesthouse owner sipped his tea, watching, bemused.

“Too hot?”

I shook my head, because pride is a dangerous thing.

The mist outside thickened, curling through the trees like a slow-moving ghost. The hills, the tea fields, the world itself disappeared, leaving nothing but this plate, this fire, this moment.

I finished every bite.

I sat back, breathing hard, already knowing I’d do it again.

Some pains are worth repeating.

Continue…

What Does Devel Mean?

Devil (or ‘devel‘) in Sri Lankan cooking refers to a hot and flavorful culinary style known for its intense spiciness and rich, aromatic flavors. This cooking technique is said to have been brought to Sri Lanka by Chinese immigrants in the 19th century who set up restaurants to cater to other Chinese working outside what is now the port of Colombo.

Devel often involves marinating meats, typically chicken or beef, in a potent blend of spices, including chili, black pepper, garlic, and ginger, before stir-frying them. The result is a dish that packs a punch, with a nice balance of heat and complex flavors.

Chicken Devel Ingredients

  • 500 grams Chicken; segmented. You can use light or dark meat. In my opinion the best choice is to use chicken wing flats cut in half.
  • 1 Onion; yellow. Chopped.
  • 4 cloves Garlic; minced.
  • 1 tsp Ginger; crushed.
  • 2 Chilies; This is where your spice is coming from so you can pick chilies that are suitable for your palate. Just cut them into bite size pieces.
  • 1 Tomato; medium sized. Chopped.
  • 2 tsp Curry Powder (just blitzed coriander, cumin seeds, and fennel seeds)
  • 2 Curry Leaves. You can buy Sri Lankan curry leaves here
  • 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
  • 1 tbsp Lime Juice
  • 2 tbsp Tomato Sauce
  • 1 tsp Oyster Sauce
  • 1 tsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Butter
  • 1 tsp Salt; or to taste.

Chicken Devel Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and let sit for 15 minutes.
  2. In a pot, add the chicken pieces and then add just enough water to cover the meat. Turn on the heat and boil until the water is almost completely dissolved.
  3. Keep the heat on high, and add the butter. Then add the curry powder, chili pieces, onion, crushed ginger, turmeric, tomato, and finally garlic. Mix well and let cook until fragrant.
  4. Turn the heat down low and add the sauces. Toss to coat. Plate and drizzle over the lime juice and serve immediately.

How To Store Sri Lankan Devilled Chicken

Chicken devel can be stored for 3 days in the refrigerator, and in my opinion the next day the flavors are even more infused. You can reheat easily in the microwave.

Devilled chicken is best served alongside steamed white rice, but fried rice is also very popular.

Chicken Devel Sri Lankan Devilled Chicken

Chicken Devel (Sri Lankan Devilled Chicken)

5 from 7 votes
Chicken Devel is one of the most popular dishes in Sri Lanka. This recipe was taught to me by the host of a homestay I stayed at in Kandy.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Sri Lankan
Calories: 194

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams Chicken segmented, white or dark
  • 1 Onion medium; chopped
  • 4 cloves Garlic minced
  • 2 Chilies red or green, large pieces
  • 1 Tomato chopped
  • 2 tsp Curry Powder (store bought is okay, but this is just blitzed coriander, cumin seeds, and fennel seeds)
  • 2 Curry Leaves
  • 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
  • 1 tbsp Lime Juice
  • 2 tbsp Tomato Sauce
  • 1 tsp Oyster Sauce
  • 1 tsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 1 tbsp Butter or margarine

Equipment

  • Pot

Method
 

  1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and let sit for 10 minutes.
  2. In a pot add the chicken and fill with enough water just to cover the meat. Bring to a boil and let boil until the water is almost completely evaporated.
  3. Then add the butter, curry powder, sliced chili pieces and stir. Let fry for a minute or two.
  4. Add in the onion, ginger, garlic, Turmeric powder, curry leaves, tomato, and salt. Mix well.
  5. Next turn the heat down low, add the three sauces, and stir to coat. Plate and drizzle over some lime juice. Serve immediately.
Sri Lankan Chicken Devel Pin
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10 thoughts on “Chicken Devel (Sri Lankan Devilled Chicken)”

  1. 5 stars
    This is the best recipe I have found. I ate this on a trip to Colombo and have been trying to make something at home just as good.

    1. It basically is! It was originally created by Chinese immigrants to Sri Lanka during a large work migration about 100 years ago. There’s still a vibrant Chinatown in Colombo as well.

  2. 5 stars
    Wonderful dish. I added hot sauce along with the rest of the ingredients which gave it more of a reddish color but it was tasty nonetheless. I found your original suggestion of just two chilies to be not spicy enough for my tastes but I’m a pepperhead so I always add more heat.

  3. Johanna Alliura

    5 stars
    This was really good. I love Chinese food, and trying Chinese fusion dishes around the world is always a unique experience. I made this with some white rice and the entire family loved it!

  4. 5 stars
    Chicken devel is my favorite Sri Lankan dish and this recipe is perfect, ok maybe could use more chillies but other than that perfect.

    1. Definitely add more to suit your taste. I add more depending on what chilies I use too, but these ones were particularly strong (for me)

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