Tandoori Dreams: Chicken Reshmi Kebabs
Craving melt-in-your-mouth kebabs? Look no further than Reshmi Kebabs! These delectable treats hail from North India and live up to their name, “Reshmi” meaning “Silky” in Hindi. The secret lies in the creamy marinade that infuses the chicken with rich flavors.
This recipe offers a guide to preparing these kebabs at home. It includes options for grilling, pan-frying, or baking, making it adaptable to your preference.
Ingredients
- 250 gms boneless chicken (breast preferred)
- 2 tbsp fresh cream
- 2 tbsp thick curd or hung yogurt
- 1-1.5 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper (or 1 tsp green chili paste)
- 2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
- 1.5 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp oil
- 2 tbsp almond meal (or cashews, or cornstarch)
- 2 tbsp grated cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Wash and pat dry the chicken. Cut into bite-sized pieces.
- In a bowl, combine yogurt, cream, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, coriander leaves, pepper, and salt. Mix well.
- Add chicken pieces to the marinade and coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight for best flavor.
- Once marinated, thread chicken pieces onto skewers.
- Preheat your oven to the highest setting (around 470°F).
- You can choose to grill, pan-fry, or bake the kababs.
- To Grill
Brush the kababs with oil and grill over medium heat until cooked through, turning occasionally.
- To Pan-Fry
Heat oil in a pan and pan-fry the kababs until golden brown and cooked through.
- To Bake
Place the kababs on a baking tray and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through and slightly charred.
- (Optional) In the last few minutes of cooking, you can brush the kababs with butter for added richness.
- Serve hot with your favorite chutney or dip.
Tips
- Soaking the cashews or almonds in warm water for 15 minutes before grinding will give a smoother texture to the marinade.
- Mincing the chicken instead of cubing it will result in even more tender kebabs.
- If you don’t have a tandoor for grilling, a grill pan or even a regular pan can be used.
Enjoy your delicious homemade Reshmi Kebabs!
