Easy chicken malai kebab recipe
You hear chicken malai kebab and your mouth lights up in anticipation. Charred and succulent pieces of meat with their bold and sharp layers of spices accompanying drinks, raitas, relishes, and mounds of fluffy rice–kebabs are absolute bliss. But, to an Indian, the word kebab incites much more than its deliciousness. Kebabs evoke stories and traditions that can be traced back to Indian prehistory. Food history books describe kebabs as spiced morsels of fire-grilled meat that were preferred by the then Indian armies (16th century) because they could be very easily made to feed the soldiers. This fascinates me because I immediately imagine armies of Mughal soldiers wearing quilted cotton jackets, silk pajamas, and metal body armors, marching forward with their kebab equipment, clanking against their metal hand and headgears, to make meticulously spiced kebabs in large tandoori ovens. I see Kebab armies sharing a laugh or two over boti kebabs between battles.
Fast-forward to present-day India–kebabs still fascinate me. Kebab joints–dhabas, Mughlai restaurants, roadside stalls, or upscale restaurants–witness various groups of people milling around on their way to bars, or clubs, or home, or nowhere. The interesting thing about kebabs is that unless you are an alcoholic or a solitary traveler, you don’t eat kebabs alone. Kebabs have a sociable quality about them. In addition to the stories of kings and soldiers, each kebab recipe threads together thousands of stories of friends, and families, and lovers. During this time of the year (winter, that is), in India, most domestic roof-tops/backyards turn into veritable kebab joints where friends and family gather around small but intense open fires to roast generously spiced meats and vegetables. It’s these tiny neighborly kebab armies that fascinate me most.
Also fascinating is how healthy kebabs are. They use little to no oil, lots of spices, and sometimes a little yogurt. I use a little cheese in this recipe, but traditionally kebabs are completely cheese-less. I try to use lean meats to make kebabs unless I am cooking for an army (of friends). Fattier meats render kebabs juicier, therefore, they are easier to prepare. But white and lean meats, when marinated properly, can totally change the weight loss game. Serve a skewer of kebabs with brown rice, roasted veggies, an egg, and garlic lime chutney or cilnatro mint chutney to make weight loss tasty and fun.
Chicken Malai Kebab recipe
Ingredients
- 1 kg 2 lbs approximately chicken, cut into cubes
First Marinade
- Salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 2 tsp meat tenderizer
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 tsp or more cardamom powder
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder optional
Second Marinade
- 1 tbsp garlic paste
- 1 tbsp ginger paste
- 1 tsp cumin powder or more
- 1 tsp coriander poder or more
- 1/2 tsp chili powder or more
- 1 tsp chaat masala powder optional
- 1 tsp garam masala powder
- 1/4 cup Greek or hung yogurt
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- 2 tbsp grated cheese any white cheese except parmesan
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp oil
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash the chicken pieces and pat dry. The idea is to get all excess moisture out of the chicken. This is the only way to ensure juicy and charred meat. Moisture is a kebab killer.
- Add the ingredients listed under first marinade. Mix to make sure that the chicken pieces are evenly coated. Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- To prepare the yogurt marinade just mix everything listed under second marinade in a large bowl. If you are making your own garlic and ginger paste (which I highly recommend), use as little water as possible. It is a good idea to use the lime juice to make the ginger garlic paste to control the moisture in the kebabs.
- Add the marinated chicken pieces to the second marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 45 mins to 1 hour.
- Generously grease metal skewers (you can use wooden skewers, but make sure to soak them for at least 12 hours).
- Thread the chicken pieces on skewers, making sure not to crowd them (you will need 6-7 skewers).
- Broil on high for 10 minutes, then flip and broil for 3-4 minutes on the other side. If you don't have a broiler, preheat oven to the highest possible temperature.
- Serve hot with green chutney.
Raj Bhalla
I loved the different version of this malai tikka. I made this every weekend in delhi winters this dec and Jan in my own but much simpler way. Loved your recipe though
Raj
http://www.chickenshicken.co.in
Dhrubaa Mukherjee
Thank you!
Pushpita Sinha
Thanks for the recipe idea Dhrubaa. I will try this weekend with Chicken Drumsticks as I have some drumsticks and the ingredients too.
shankar
I cherished the exceptional model of this malai tikka. I made this each weekend in jaipur winters this Dec and Jan in my personal but plenty easier way. Loved your recipe even though
Kirtika saha
I am so grateful to you for this recipe. It’s looks so delicious. Thanks to you for the wonderful pointers and easy recipe. I m waiting for more article.
Dhrubaa Mukherjee
So happy to hear read this. <3