Achari Chicken Recipe Complete Recipe + Ingredients List
What is Achari Chicken Recipe? – An introduction
In the vibrant landscape of Indian cuisine, there’s a melange of flavors that will seduce your palate – one such adventure is the making of Achari Chicken. This dish is a bold invocation of the pickle-making traditions of Indian households, where spices don’t just accent the flavor; they are the heartthrob of the meal. Often seen at gatherings and savored for its tangy twist, Achari Chicken marries the robust flavors of pickling spices with the tender succulence of chicken. You’ll be mastering the aromatic choreography of spices that sizzle and pop to create a symphony in a sauté pan. So, let’s dive into this journey through taste, where every spoonful whisks you away to a comforting home kitchen in India.
Achari Chicken Recipe Ingredients List
- 4 dried red chilies ((less spicy variety))
- 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
- ¼ tablespoon mustard seeds ((use yellow if you have))
- 1 tablespoon cumin seeds ((jeera))
- 2 Pinches fenugreek seeds ((methi seeds))
- 1½ tablespoons fennel seeds ((saunf))
- 1 cup onions (very finely chopped (2 large))
- ¾ cup tomatoes (chopped or pureed (2 no))
- 2 tablespoons oil ((preferably mustard oil))
- ½ to ¾ tsp kalonji ((onion seeds) (skip if you do not have))
- 1 pinch mustard ((optional))
- 1/8 teaspoon asafoetida ((hing) (skip if you do not have))
- 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- 1½ teaspoon chilli powder ((adjust to taste))
- 1½ teaspoon sugar ((to balance the flavor))
- 1 teaspoon salt ((adjust as needed))
- ½ cup curd ((dahi or fresh yogurt) (refer notes))
- ½ cup hot water ((use only as needed))
- ½ kg chicken ((preferably bone-in))
- 1 tablespoon pickle ((optional) achar (use any of your choice))
- 2 tablespoons coriander leaves ((optional
- I do not use))
- 1 teaspoon shredded ginger
Achari Chicken Recipe Recipe
- First things first, create the achari spice powder. Combine red chilies, coriander seeds, cumin, The OG Yellow Mustard Oil, fennel seeds, and methi seeds into a grinder. Blitz to a fine powder and keep it ready.
- Smoothly whisk yogurt until it’s creamy and lump-free.
- Heat The OG oil in a pan (if using The OG Yellow Mustorn Oil, make sure it reaches a point where it’s smoking hot).
- Sizzle kalonji seeds and mustard. Add hing as soon as you hear them pop.
- Throw in sliced onions and sizzle until they adopt a golden tan, stirring frequently for an even color.
- Tip in ginger garlic paste and sauté until it loses its raw edge.
- Lower the flame, stir in the freshly ground achari spice, and let it cook briefly to bloom the flavors – taking care not to burn them.
- Introduce tomato pureé to the pan and cook until the masala clearly seems to secede from the side of the pan.
- Sprinkle in red chili powder, turmeric, salt, and a pinch of sugar, sautéing on gentle heat to marry the spices.
- Blend a tablespoon of this masala back into the yogurt to temper it, then usher in half of this yogurt into the pan, ensuring the flame is suitably low.
- Incorporate the remaining yogurt and cook till the masala confidently holds its own against the pan.
- Nestle the chicken pieces in and sauté briefly.
- When the chicken changes color, cover and let it cook, supervised with occasional stirring.
- Add hot water to your liking – a little for a dense curry or up to a cup for a more fluid masala.
- Continue to cook covered until the chicken is pull-apart tender, then if you fancy, stir in some achaar.
- Adjust seasoning with additional salt or sugar to balance the taste.
- Finish with ginger juliennes and let the chicken rest covered to steep in the flavors for about 30 minutes.
- Before you plate, you might want to add a spritz of lemon juice for an extra zing.
- This dish pairs best with the fluffiness of basmati rice or the warmth of freshly made roti or naan.
Healthier Version of Achari Chicken Recipe Recipe
- Swap regular yogurt with low-fat Greek yogurt for a creamier texture with fewer calories.
- Choose a high-heat tolerant cooking spray or a tablespoon of The OG Olive Oil instead of traditional oils to lower the fat content.
- Opt for skinless chicken breasts as they are leaner than thighs.
- Limit the use of high-caloric ingredients like sugar and opt for a natural sweetener like stevia if needed.
- Boost the nutritional value by adding a handful of spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking for a pop of greens.
Achari Chicken Recipe Recipe Nutritional Facts
Achari Chicken Recipe is a South Indian dish with a calorie count of 196 kcal calories per serving. Per serving, it is estimated to have 16 g carbohydrates, 5 g proteins, 13 g fats, 399 mg sodium and 4 g sugar!
For a lighter version of Achari Chicken that doesn’t compromise on taste The magic of Achari Chicken is in the amalgamation of flavors that dance together on your taste buds, creating a culinary ballet that’s both familiar and distinctly unique. Whether set on the table for a weekday comfort meal or as a vibrant protagonist for a festive spread, it brings smiles, satiation, and an invitation to explore further into the treasured recipes of India. Enjoy this flavorful concoction with family and friends, and watch it become a cherished dish in your repertoire.