Chicken Pakora
is a popular and mouthwatering Indian snack or appetizer that features tender pieces of chicken coated in a spiced chickpea flour batter and deep-fried to crispy perfection. This delightful dish is a favorite at gatherings, parties, and even as a tasty tea-time treat.
Recipe for Chicken Pakora:
Ingredients:
- - 500g boneless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
- - 1 cup chickpea flour (besan)
- - 2 tablespoons rice flour
- - 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- - 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to your spice level)
- - 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- - 1 teaspoon garam masala
- - 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- - 1/2 teaspoon ajwain (carom seeds)
- - A pinch of baking soda (optional)
- - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- - 2-3 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves
- - Salt to taste
- - Water, as needed, for making the batter
- - Oil for deep frying
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine chickpea flour, rice flour, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, cumin seeds, ajwain, baking soda (if using), lemon juice, chopped coriander leaves, and salt. Mix well.
2. Gradually add water to the dry ingredients and whisk until you have a smooth and thick batter. The batter should be thick enough to coat the chicken pieces.
3. Add the chicken pieces to the batter, ensuring each piece is well coated.
4. Heat oil in a deep frying pan or kadai over medium heat.
5. Carefully drop the chicken pieces, one by one, into the hot oil. Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
6. Fry the chicken pakoras until they turn golden brown and crispy. This should take about 5-6 minutes per batch.
7. Remove the fried chicken pakoras using a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
8. Serve hot with green chutney, tamarind chutney, or a squeeze of lemon juice on the side.
Enjoy your homemade Chicken Pakoras as a delightful appetizer or snack, and savor the burst of flavors with every crispy bite!
