Chettinad Flavoured Grilled Chicken

          This is a very healthy variation to any fried chicken and can be served as appetizers or as a light meal with soup and salad. Serve them with green chutney, onion rings and a dash of lime if having as an appetizer. As I often make these grilled delicacies, I experiment with different spices. So today the marination is that of chettinad masala.

          So what are you waiting for?. Try out this yummy grilled recipe at home and I bet your family and friends will simply love this gourmet delight. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe  to prepare it.

• 1 small chicken, cut into desired size
• salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• 2 tbsp. chettinad masala (check the recipe below)
• 1 tsp. red chili powder
• 1 tsp. ginger-garlic paste
• juice of 1/2 lime
• 1 tbsp. oil to marinate
• oil for basting

          Marinate the chicken pieces in all the above mentioned ingredients for 2-3 hours. Then place them on a baking tray, lined with aluminum foil.

          Place the try on the top level of a microwave oven and grill for 35 minutes by flipping it over halfway through and basting with oil or remaining marinade.

          Serve as an appetizer with onion rings, green chilies, a drizzle of some lime or green chutney. It can also be had as a light meal with soup and salad as accompaniments.







Chettinad Spice-

• 2-3 tbsp. coriander seeds
• 8-10 dry red chilies
• 2-3 green cardamoms
• 1" cinnamon
• 5-6 cloves
• 1 tbsp. cumin seeds
• 2 tbsp. fresh grated coconut
• 1 javitri
• 1 tbsp. stone flower
• 2 marathi moggu
• 1 star anise
• 1/4 tsp. fenugreek seeds
• 1/2 tsp. pepper corns
• 1 tbsp. fennel seeds

         Dry roast the coconut first till light brown. Then add rest of the ingredients and sauté for a minute on a low flame or till you get a nice aroma coming through. Keep aside to cool. Then grind into a fine powder and store in an airtight container.

                                Marinate chicken pieces with all ingredients for 2-3 hours. 

                               Then place them on a baking tray, lined with aluminum foil.

                    Grill for 35 min. by flipping it halfway & basting with oil or remaining
                    marinade.

                  Serve as an appetizer with onion rings, green chilies, a drizzle of some lime
                  or green chutney. It can also be had as a light meal with soup & salad as                                            accompaniments.

Mango Chicken Tikka

          Do try these yummy Chicken Tikkas with a new twist if you are able to get raw mango. Make them with a marinade of pureed raw mango and other spices. They are simply delicious and serve them as appetizers or for a wholesome and a satisfying meal with some salads and dips / chutneys. 

          You can also serve them rolled up in chapattis with some chutney / mayo and salads for your lunch box meal too. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this simple healthy delicacy.

                    

• 350 gms. boneless chicken cubes
• 1 small raw mango, chopped
• 2-3 garlic cloves, grated
• 1 tsp. panch phoron mix (equal quantities of fennel, fenugreek, cumin, mustard & nigella seeds)
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1-2 tbsp. red chili powder
• 1 tsp. kasundi / Mustard paste (opt)
• 2 tbsp. mustard oil
• few wooden skewers, soaked in water for an hour

          Dry roast the panch phoron mix for a few seconds. Keep aside to cool and then grind into a fine powder.

          Blend the chopped raw mango into a puree. Mix all the ingredients and marinate the chicken cubes in it overnight.

         Thread the marinated chicken cubes in the greased skewers and grill for 30-35 minutes in the oven / microwave. Turn it over halfway and baste with the remaining marinade or oil. 

          Serve them as snacks / appetizers or for a wholesome and a satisfying meal with some salads and dips / chutneys. 

          You can also try them rolled up in chapattis with some chutney / mayo and salads for your lunch box meal too.

                 Raw mango, turmeric powder, panch phoron, red chili powder, kasundi, garlic 
                 & salt to taste.

                                Blend mangoes into a puree & mix with all other ingredients.

                                 Marinate chicken with the mango paste overnight.

                                Thread in the greased skewers.

                     Grill for 30-35 minutes by turning halfway & basting with remaining 
                     marinade or mustard oil.

                Serve them as snacks / appetizers or for a wholesome & a satisfying meal 
                with salads & dips / chutneys. You can also try them rolled up in chapattis
                with some chutney / mayo and salads for your lunch box meal too.

Chicken Hariyali Tikka (Skewered Green Chicken)

          These are delectable small bites of homemade Hariyali Chicken Tikka, restaurant style, which are absolutely simple to make. Boneless chicken cubes are used here which are grilled to perfection. To give a smoky flavour, I fire grilled on the stove top. 

          They can be served as appetizers or can be rolled in chapattis / parathas along with some sliced onion and chutney for a wholesome snack. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 400 gms. boneless chicken
• salt to taste
• 1 tsp. ginger-garlic paste
• 1/2 tsp. pepper powder
• 1/2 tsp. roasted cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp. lime zest
• 1 tbsp. oil
• 1 cup coriander leaves, chopped
• 1 cup mint leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup spring onion (green part), chopped
• 2-3 green chilies
• 1 tbsp. feta cheese
• few wooden skewers, soaked in water for an hour
• onion, tomatoes, fresh chilies, lime & cucumber to garnish (opt)

          Marinate the chicken with salt, ginger-garlic paste, pepper powder, oil, cumin powder and lime zest for an hour.

          Make a paste of the coriander leaves, mint leaves, spring onion, green chilies, salt and cheese with very little water.

          Marinade the chicken with this green paste for 7-8 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.

          Grease the wooden skewers and the grill rack and thread the chicken cubes.

          Grill in the microwave in the convection mode for 30-35 minutes by flipping it halfway and basting with the leftover marinade. Let it remain in the microwave for 10 minutes.

          To give a Smokey flavour, place the skewers on a steel wire mesh and fire grill on a direct flame on the stove top till it is slightly charred. 

          Serve them hot with any chutney and salad of your choice.

                  Marinate chicken with salt, ginger-garlic paste, pepper powder, oil, cumin

                  powder and lime zest for an hour. 

                       Marinade chicken with green paste for 7-8 hours or overnight in the 
                       refrigerator.

                       Grease wooden skewers and grill rack. Then thread chicken cubes in it. 

                        Grill for 30-35 minutes by flipping it halfway & basting with leftover

                        marinade. Let it remain in the microwave for 10 minutes. 

               To give a Smokey flavour, place the skewers on a steel wire mesh & fire grill
               on a direct flame on the stove top till it is slightly charred. 

                                 Serve them hot with any chutney & salad of your choice.

Chicken Malai Tikka (Creamy Chicken Tikka)

          These melt-in-the-mouth Tikkas are just irresistible. They can be made at home, restaurant style, for some perfect appetizers. These delectable snacks goes well with some green chutney and onion rings. And not to forget with a dash of lime. So go ahead and try these party specials this Christmas and New Year.

        

          I tried to keep the cream, butter and cheese to the minimum. In that way one can have these Tikkas guilt free. They can also be stuffed in parathas along with some sliced onion, coriander leaves and ketchup / kasundi / mint chutney and served as chicken rolls. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 450 gms. boneless chicken cubes
• 1 tbsp. ginger-garlic-green chilies paste
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. pepper powder
• 1 tsp. roasted coriander-cumin powder
• 1 tbsp. oil
• 1 tbsp. lime juice
• 1 cup hung yoghurt
• 2 tbsp. cream
• 2 tbsp. cheese
• 1 tbsp. melted butter
• wooden skewers as required, soaked in water for an hour
• oil to grease
• green chutney and onion rings to serve

          Marinate the chicken with the ginger-garlic-green chilies paste, salt, pepper powder, lime juice, coriander-cumin powder and 1 tbsp. oil for 2-3 hours in the refrigerator.

          Combine the yoghurt, cream, cheese and butter till smooth. Add this mix to the chicken and marinate further in the refrigerator for 7-8 hours.

          Grease the skewers with a little oil and string the chicken cubes. Place them on a greased microwave rack and grill in the convection mode for 30 minutes. 

          Halfway through flip the skewers and grill further. Let it remain in the microwave for 5-10 minutes. 

          For a Smokey effect, place the skewers on a steel wire mesh directly on the flame and fire grill them for a minute. Serve, garnished with onion rings and green chutney.

          
     

1st Marination.

2nd Marination.

                               Grease the skewers with a little oil & string the chicken cubes. 

                                  Grill for 30 minutes. 

                     For a Smokey effect, place skewers on a steel wire mesh directly on the 
                     flame & fire grill them for a minute. 

Serve, garnished with onion rings & green chutney.

Grilled Pepper Chicken

          These Pepper flavoured grilled chicken are great appetizers at any small in-house party with family and friends. Spicy and tangy with some extra dash of lime, they will lift up your spirits. So come relish these delicious and healthy snacks with some onion rings, green chilies and sauce. They can also be served as a light meal along with some salads or soup.

• 5-6 chicken pieces
• 1 tbsp. whole peppercorns
• 3-4 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp. amchur powder (dry mango powder)
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• salt to taste
• 1 tbsp. oil + extra oil for basting

          Grind the pepper and garlic to a coarse paste along with some water. Mix with amchur powder, salt, turmeric powder and 1 tbsp. oil.

          Prick the chicken all over with a fork. Smear this paste all over the chicken pieces and marinate for 5- 6 hours, preferably overnight.

         Grease the upper rack of a microwave and place the marinated chicken on it. Pour the leftover marinade over it and grill for 15 minutes on one side.

         Flip it over and baste with some oil or the remaining marinade. Grill for 15 minutes more. Let it stand for 5 minutes. Serve hot along with a dash of lime, sliced onion and green chilies.

Grilled Achari Chicken (1) (Grilled Chicken with Pickle Masala)

          Grilled Chicken is an all time favourite with one and all and are perfect as appetizers with green chutney. In this recipe, I marinated it with ginger-garlic paste, some store bought bottled garlic pickle and other spices. It simply tasted awesome.

         Any bottled pickle can be used. Pair them with some soup or salad for a healthy and a light meal. So now there is no need to have any deep fried chicken. Try making these Grilled Chicken at home and I bet your family and friends will simply love these homemade gourmet delight.

• 5-6 Chicken pieces 
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. ginger-garlic paste
• 1/2 tsp. red chili flakes
• 1 tbsp. any bottled pickle masala 
• 1/2 lemon juice
• 1 tbsp. oil
• extra oil for basting

          Marinate the chicken pieces with all the above mentioned ingredients and leaves aside for 2-3 hours.

          Grease the upper rack of a microwave and place the marinated chicken over it. Drizzle the leftover marinade and grill for 15 minutes.

          Flip it over and drizzle some oil over it and further grill for another 15 minutes. Let it stand for 5-10 minutes.

          When Serving, drizzle some pickle oil over it and garnish with coriander leaves. Relish with any salad of your choice or some onion rings.

Grilled Chicken

          These delicious and yummy chicken are grilled to perfection in a microwave. So they can, not only be made at home but are healthy too with the use of olive oil. As chicken happens to be a very popular snack with everyone, it can very easily be made in a microwave. 

          It can be served as an appetizer during any in-house parties. In that case let the chicken be made into bite size pieces. These grilled chicken if had with some soup or salad as an accompaniment, makes for a complete wholesome meal.

• 5 pieces of chicken
• salt to taste
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp. tomato paste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. kashmiri red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. roasted cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp. roasted coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp. garam masala powder
• juice of 1/2 a lemon
• chopped coriander, onion rings, lemon wedges and fresh chilly to garnish

          In a bowl, mix together all the ingredients except the chicken and the garnishing ingredients. Smear this paste all over the chicken and marinate for 7-8 hours, preferably overnight in the fridge.

          Grease a microwave rack and place the marinated chicken pieces over it. Place in the microwave with a drip tray below it to collect all the juices.

          Grill for 30 minutes by flipping it over and basting with oil twice. Let it rest in the microwave for 5 more minutes. Serve with a garnish of chopped coriander leaves, onion rings, lemon wedges and fresh red/green chilly.

Grilled Chicken (In Microwave)

          Grilled chickens are a hot favourite with everyone. So these homemade, tempting and delicious grilled chicken are not only easy to make in a microwave but it is completely hassle free. They are healthy as I have used olive oil and when had with some salad makes for a complete wholesome meal. They are a perfect treat for any in-house party too and is a great accompaniment with cocktails and mocktails. 

• 6-7 pieces of chicken on bones, curry cut
• 1 tbsp. red chili powder
• salt to taste
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• 2 tbsp. olive oil + 1 tbsp. oil
• 1/2 tsp. garam masala powder
• 1 tsp. ginger-garlic paste
• lettuce, onion rings, green chilies & lemon wedges for garnishing

          In a bowl, mix together all the above mentioned ingredients (except the chicken pieces and 1 tbsp. oil). Marinate the chicken in the prepared paste for 5-6 hours, preferably overnight.

          Place the marinated chicken over a greased microwave rack and baste with 1 tsp. oil. Grill for 12-15 minutes on one side.

          Flip it over and baste with the remaining oil. Grill again for 12-15 minutes. (Standing time inside the microwave for 5 minutes more). Serve hot with all the garnishing ingredients.

                   Place marinated chicken over a greased microwave rack & baste with
                   1 tsp. oil. 

                   Grill for 12-15 minutes on one side. Flip it over & baste with remaining oil. 
                   Grill again for 12-15 minutes. 

                               Serve hot with all the garnishing ingredients.