Pan Fried Chicken Breasts With Indian Yogurt Marinade Recipes

YOGURT-MARINATED FRIED CHICKEN WITH SAFFRON AND PAPRIKA

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine saffron with 1 tablespoon water and let soak 10 minutes. Place in food processor with yogurt and garlic and purée until smooth and yellow. Place chicken in glass or ceramic bowl; pour yogurt mixture on top, turn to coat; cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight.
• In a medium bowl, combine flour, paprika, mint, salt and pepper. Heat a generous half-inch oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Drop in a bit of bread to test temperature; oil should bubble vigorously. Working in batches to avoid crowding, dredge chicken pieces in flour mixture, then fry until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes a side. Remove and drain on paper towels.
• Sprinkle with salt and serve immediately, topped with walnuts and lemon wedges.

INDIAN YOGURT MARINADE

Steps:

• Toast coriander seeds, fennel seeds, mustard seeds, and cardamom pods in a dry skillet over medium heat until they darken slightly and become fragrant, about 1 1/2 minutes. Grind to a fine powder in a spice grinder (or clean coffee grinder).
• Transfer to a blender, along with garlic, salt, lime zest and juice, chiles, onion, and yogurt. Blend to form a smooth paste.
• Transfer to a nonreactive dish. Refrigerate until ready to use, up to 3 days.

INDIAN FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Whisk together the chili powder, paprika, coriander, cumin, turmeric, garam masala, black pepper and 2 tablespoons salt in a large bowl. Stir in the yogurt, garlic and ginger and mix well. Add the chicken and coat each piece thoroughly with the yogurt mixture. Cover and marinate for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours.
• When ready to cook, heat a large, heavy pot filled with 2 inches of oil to 350 degrees F. Set a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the semolina and rice flour in a large bowl. Remove the chicken from the marinade and dredge each piece in the flour mixture until completely coated.
• Working in batches to avoid crowding the pan, fry the chicken in the oil until golden and cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes, adjusting the heat to keep the temperature of the oil between 325 and 350 degrees F. Transfer the chicken to the rack with tongs to drain.
• Place the chicken on a platter, sprinkle with salt if desired, and garnish with lemon wedges and cilantro. Serve hot with Cilantro-Yogurt Chutney.
• Combine the cilantro, yogurt, chiles, garlic, lime zest, lime juice and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a blender and process until smooth. It should be the consistency of a creamy salad dressing. If it's too thick, add 1 to 2 tablespoons water. Taste and add more lime juice and/or salt, if needed. Makes 1 cup.

YOGURT-MARINATED CHICKEN SHAWARMA

Steps:

• Combine yogurt, lemon juice, 1/4 cup oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, paprika, cumin, and oregano in a large glass or ceramic bowl; mix well. Add chicken and toss to evenly coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 8 hours to overnight.
• Remove chicken from the marinade and shake off excess. Discard the remaining marinade.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in hot oil in batches until tender and browned, about 5 minutes per batch. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).