Kadai Chicken Recipe Lakshmi Nair Cooking
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How to Make Kadai Chicken Recipe by Lakshmi Nair - A Spicy and Delicious Dish
Kadai chicken is a popular dish from the Indian subcontinent that is known for its spicy and flavorful taste. It is made with chicken pieces cooked in a wok with onion, tomato, ginger, garlic and a special spice blend called kadai masala. Kadai chicken can be enjoyed with roti, naan, paratha or rice. 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's kadai chicken recipe is simple and easy to follow and will give you a mouthwatering treat for your taste buds.
What is Kadai Chicken?
Kadai chicken is a dish that originated in Pakistan and North India and is now popular across the world. The name kadai chicken comes from the utensil used to cook it, which is a karahi or kadai, a type of Indian wok. Kadai chicken is made with boneless or bone-in chicken pieces that are marinated with ginger, garlic, salt, lemon juice and some spices. The chicken pieces are then shallow-fried in oil and added to a wok of sautéed onion, tomato and green chilli along with more spices, such as red chilli powder, turmeric powder, garam masala and kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves). The dish is cooked on high flame until the chicken is tender and the gravy is thick and rich. Kadai chicken has a deep red color due to the use of red chillies and tomatoes and a smoky aroma due to the high heat cooking.
What is Kadai Masala?
Kadai masala is the key ingredient that gives kadai chicken its unique flavor and aroma. It is a spice blend that is made by dry roasting coriander seeds, fennel seeds (optional), dry red chillies, cumin seeds and garam masala and then grinding them coarsely. Kadai masala can be made at home or bought from the market. It can also be used to make other dishes such as kadai paneer, kadai mushroom, kadai vegetable etc.
How to Make Kadai Chicken Recipe by Lakshmi Nair?
To make kadai chicken recipe by Lakshmi Nair, you need to follow these steps:
- 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.
- Heat oil in a wok or kadai and add bay leaves, green cardamom, cloves and sliced onion. Fry until golden brown.
- Add ginger-garlic paste and green chillies and fry for a few minutes.
- Add chopped tomatoes and cook on high flame until soft and mushy.
- Add salt, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, garam masala and kasuri methi and mix well.
- Add the fried chicken pieces and toss well to coat them with the masala.
- Add water as needed to adjust the consistency of the gravy.
- Cover and cook on low flame for 10-15 minutes or until the chicken is done.
- Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with roti, naan, paratha or rice.
Congratulations! You have successfully made kadai chicken recipe by Lakshmi Nair at home. Enjoy this spicy and delicious dish with your family and friends.
What are the Benefits of Kadai Chicken?
Kadai chicken is not only a tasty dish but also a healthy one. It has many benefits for your health, such as:
- It is rich in protein, which helps in building and repairing muscles, tissues and organs.
- It is low in carbohydrates, which helps in controlling blood sugar levels and weight management.
- It is high in iron, which helps in preventing anemia and boosting immunity.
- It is a good source of vitamin B12, which helps in maintaining nerve and brain health.
- It contains antioxidants, such as lycopene and capsaicin, which help in fighting inflammation and infections.
These are some of the benefits of kadai chicken. It is a nutritious and satisfying dish that can be enjoyed by everyone.
What are the Tips and Tricks to Make Kadai Chicken?
Kadai chicken is a simple and easy dish to make at home. However, to get the best results, you need to follow some tips and tricks, such as:
- Use fresh and good quality chicken pieces for the best taste and texture.
- Use a heavy-bottomed wok or kadai for even and fast cooking.
- Fry the chicken pieces on high flame until crisp and golden. Do not overcook them as they will become dry and tough.
- Use ripe and juicy tomatoes for the gravy. You can also puree them for a smooth texture.
- Use homemade or fresh kadai masala for the best flavor and aroma. You can also adjust the amount of spices according to your taste and preference.
- Add some water or cream to the gravy to adjust the consistency and richness. You can also add some lemon juice or vinegar for a tangy touch.
- Garnish with some coriander leaves or mint leaves for a fresh and colorful look.
These are some of the tips and tricks to make kadai chicken at home. By following these steps, you can make a restaurant-style kadai chicken in your own kitchen.
What are the Variations of Kadai Chicken?
Kadai chicken is a versatile dish that can be made in different ways to suit your taste and mood. Here are some of the variations of kadai chicken that you can try:
- Kadai Chicken with Capsicum: You can add some chopped capsicum or bell pepper to the gravy for a crunchy and colorful twist. Capsicum also adds a sweet and mild flavor to the dish.
- Kadai Chicken with Coconut: You can add some grated coconut or coconut milk to the gravy for a creamy and rich texture. Coconut also adds a nutty and sweet flavor to the dish.
- Kadai Chicken with Cashew: You can add some cashew paste or cashew cream to the gravy for a smooth and velvety texture. Cashew also adds a nutty and buttery flavor to the dish.
- Kadai Chicken with Yogurt: You can add some whisked yogurt or curd to the gravy for a tangy and refreshing touch. Yogurt also adds a creamy and sour flavor to the dish.
- Kadai Chicken with Cheese: You can add some grated cheese or cheese cubes to the gravy for a cheesy and gooey twist. Cheese also adds a salty and savory flavor to the dish.
These are some of the variations of kadai chicken that you can experiment with. You can also add other ingredients such as mushrooms, paneer, potatoes, peas, etc. to make your own version of kadai chicken.
Conclusion
Kadai chicken is a delicious, spicy and flavorful dish that is made with chicken pieces cooked in a wok with onion, tomato, ginger, garlic and kadai masala. It is a popular dish from the Indian subcontinent that is enjoyed with roti, naan, paratha or rice. In this article, we showed you how to make kadai chicken recipe by Lakshmi Nair, a famous chef and author from Kerala. Lakshmi Nair's kadai chicken recipe is simple and easy to follow and will give you a mouthwatering treat for your taste buds. We also shared some benefits, tips, tricks and variations of kadai chicken that you can try at home. Kadai chicken is a nutritious and satisfying dish that can be enjoyed by everyone.
If you love spicy and flavorful dishes, you should try kadai chicken recipe by Lakshmi Nair or one of its variations. You will be amazed by the results and the taste of this dish.
Conclusion
Kadai chicken is a delicious, spicy and flavorful dish that is made with chicken pieces cooked in a wok with onion, tomato, ginger, garlic and kadai masala. It is a popular dish from the Indian subcontinent that is enjoyed with roti, naan, paratha or rice. In this article, we showed you how to make kadai chicken recipe by Lakshmi Nair, a famous chef and author from Kerala. Lakshmi Nair's kadai chicken recipe is simple and easy to follow and will give you a mouthwatering treat for your taste buds. We also shared some benefits, tips, tricks and variations of kadai chicken that you can try at home. Kadai chicken is a nutritious and satisfying dish that can be enjoyed by everyone.
If you love spicy and flavorful dishes, you should try kadai chicken recipe by Lakshmi Nair or one of its variations. You will be amazed by the results and the taste of this dish.
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