Chicken Pakora: Flavours
One of my first questions when I look at a recipe is what does it taste like so let me break it down for you. These Chicken Pakoras have an airy, crispy, exterior that coats succulent richly flavored chicken pieces that are savory, spicy, and tangy i.e. chatpata. In other words, they are what happens when homestyle and wedding style chicken pakoras have a baby. Now you absolutely can, and should, tweak to preferences, but if you like a bit of a kick then I’d definitely give this a shot as written!
Ingredients in Chicken Pakoray
Now some of these are self explanatory (chicken, duh), but let’s highlight a few that deserve special mention.
kasuri methi: you know I love this aromatic dried herb and it features in my Pakora Mix as well. It adds a layer of aroma to these pakoras which along with the spice below, make them sing. ajwain or carom seeds: deeply savory and aromatic, a small pinch of these seeds go a very long way. soy sauce: I know, I know - this is a weird one, but adding soy sauce to the mix not only adds a kind of umami but also takes away the bland chicken vibes. rice flour: I am typically happy to use cornstarch in my pakoras, and you absolutely can here as well, but rice flour adds an airy crispy quality to the pakoras. Cornstarch creates a more dense crunch.
How to Make Chicken Pakoras
Cut your chicken into cubes and add in the marinade ingredients. Mix well and set aside for 20 minutes. Now, add your dry mix and stir really well. Add your water gradually - you want just enough water to create a coating, not a wet batter. This will give your Chicken Pakora a lighter crispy exterior. Heat oil in a pan on medium heat and when it’s shimmering and hot then add in your chicken pieces and fry for 3 minutes or so per side or until a bronze-y colour. Serve hot, with ketchup or your favorite chutney.
To Air Fry or Not to Air Fry
You can airy fry these Chicken Pakora as well by spraying them lightly with olive oil and air frying for 4 minutes per side. However, air fryer settings vary so watch them closely! Also, just a gentle reminder that the final outcome isn’t quite as juicy as the fried one.
Iftar Menu Ideas
I have a collection of Iftar Recipes right here, but I love making fun combos so let’s go!
Chicken Pakoras Green Chutney Mixed Plate Chaat OR Chana Chaat Dal Chicken Plain Rice
Tried this recipe? Rate it below! Leave a comment and/or tag me in your recreations @flourandspiceblog on Instagram.
