Kadai Chicken Recipe Lakshmi Nair Cooking
Kadai chicken is a delicious and spicy dish that is popular in North India and Pakistan. It is made with chicken pieces cooked in a freshly ground spice mix called kadai masala, which gives it a unique flavor and aroma. Kadai chicken is traditionally cooked in a large metal wok called kadai, which is also used to make other dishes like kadai paneer, kadai mushroom, etc.
Kadai Chicken Recipe Lakshmi Nair Cooking
In this article, we will show you how to make kadai chicken recipe by Lakshmi Nair, a famous chef and author from Kerala. Lakshmi Nair is known for her simple and easy recipes that are inspired by the regional cuisines of India. She has hosted several cooking shows on television and has written many cookbooks. Her kadai chicken recipe is a quick and easy version that can be made in 30 minutes with minimal ingredients.
Ingredients for Kadai Chicken Recipe Lakshmi Nair Cooking
500 grams of chicken pieces (boneless or with bones)
2 tablespoons of ginger-garlic paste
Salt to taste
2 teaspoons of lemon juice
2 tablespoons of oil
1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
2 medium onions, finely chopped
2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped
2 green chilies, slit
2 teaspoons of coriander powder
1 teaspoon of red chili powder
1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder
1/4 teaspoon of garam masala powder
2 tablespoons of fresh coriander leaves, chopped
Kadai Masala for Kadai Chicken Recipe Lakshmi Nair Cooking
Kadai masala is the key ingredient for making kadai chicken. It is a spice blend that is made by dry roasting coriander seeds, red chilies, and fennel seeds until crisp and then grinding them to a coarse powder. You can also add other spices like cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, etc. to enhance the flavor. You can make kadai masala in advance and store it in an airtight container for up to a month.
2 tablespoons of coriander seeds
4 to 5 dry red chilies
1 teaspoon of fennel seeds (optional)
Method for Kadai Chicken Recipe Lakshmi Nair Cooking
To make kadai chicken recipe by Lakshmi Nair, you need to marinate the chicken pieces with ginger-garlic paste, salt, lemon juice and half of the kadai masala for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
Heat oil in a pan and shallow-fry the chicken pieces until golden brown on both sides. Drain and keep aside.
In the same pan, add cumin seeds and fry for a few seconds. Then add the chopped onions and saute until golden brown.
Add the chopped tomatoes, green chilies, coriander powder, red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala powder and salt. Cook until the tomatoes are soft and mushy.
Add the fried chicken pieces and the remaining kadai masala. Mix well and cook for 10 to 15 minutes on low flame until the chicken is tender and the gravy is thick.
Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with roti, naan, paratha or rice.
Tips and Variations for Kadai Chicken Recipe Lakshmi Nair Cooking
You can use boneless chicken or chicken with bones as per your preference. Bone-in chicken will give more flavor to the dish.
You can adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the amount of red chilies and green chilies.
You can also add some cubed onion and capsicum along with the chicken pieces for more crunch and color.
You can smoke the kadai chicken for a more authentic taste by placing a hot charcoal in a small bowl and placing it in the pan. Pour some ghee over the charcoal and cover the pan with a lid for a few minutes.
You can also make kadai chicken in an instant pot or pressure cooker by following the same steps and cooking for 10 minutes on high pressure.
Nutrition Facts for Kadai Chicken Recipe Lakshmi Nair Cooking
One serving of kadai chicken (150 grams) has about 260 calories, 16 grams of fat, 4 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, and 24 grams of protein. It also provides about 15% of the daily value of iron, 10% of calcium, and 8% of vitamin C.
Conclusion
Kadai chicken is a delicious and spicy dish that can be made easily at home with simple ingredients. It is a great dish to serve for lunch or dinner with roti, naan, paratha or rice. You can also enjoy it as a snack or appetizer with some salad and raita. Try this kadai chicken recipe by Lakshmi Nair and let us know how you liked it.
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