I love Fried Chicken, I mean who doesn’t? Being Indian I also like spicy food and have always craved for spicy fried chicken, the KFC spicy chicken or even Popeye’s spicy chicken doesn’t really make the cut for me, don’t get me wrong the “Nashville Hot” and Cajun Chicken are spicy but I guess our definition of spicy is different. There is an Indian dish called Chicken Pakora, which I really used to like, but from what I remember it was only the lightly battered version that I liked, it was crunchy on the outside but not too crunchy if you know what I mean, and had soft, juicy, and spicy center,Yum! I have been looking for this dish for a long time but I haven’t found it here in the United States, the desire to eat it again still lingers though. I never tried to make it at home because I don’t like deep frying things, again being Indian I don’t like to throw away that much oil and being an unhealthy Indian I cannot use it up either! Now that I have an Instant Pot with an Air Fryer I thought I’d give it a try and I must say it turned out pretty well, not the taste that I remember(can you really remember a taste after 20 yrs) but pretty close to it!
Here is the recipe:
Ingredients:
Chicken -500 grams/ 1 Pound
Ginger Garlic paste -1tsp
Salt -1/2 tsp or to taste
Turmeric -1/4 tsp
Red Chili Powder -1 tsp
Pepper Powder -1 tsp
Besan(gram flour) – 1 1/2 Tbsp(can be substituted with corn flour or corn starch)
Dhania (Coriander Powder) – 1/2 tsp
Cumin Powder- 1 tsp
Lemon Juice-2 tbsp
Oil- 1 tbsp
Coriander chopped – 1 tbsp
Instructions:
1.Mix Chicken, ginger garlic paste, salt, pepper powder,turmeric, red chili powder, cumin powder, dhania, lime juice,oil, besan, and let it marinate for some time( the longer the better).
2. Coat the Instant Pot Air Fryer basket with a little oil so that the food doesn’t stick, a reminder that you always have to use the inner pot when using the Air Fryer. Place the marinated chicken in the basket in a single layer, one or two pieces lying on top of another are OK.
3.Place Instant Pot Air Fryer lid on the Instapot and set to Air Fry at 375F for 20 minutes. Check the food and turn around at 5 min intervals.
4.When the Instant Pot says DONE, your Spicy Air Fried Chicken should be ready. If you prefer it crispier add 5 more minutes.
5.Garnish with onions, coriander, and lime.
4.Enjoy!
Notes:
Disclaimer: Please follow all the safety precautions listed by Instant Pot, follow the recipe at your own risk!