Name: Podi Tossed Chicken Fry
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 300 g Boneless Chicken, cut into small, 1-inch bite-sized cubes; 3 tbsp Idli Podi, milagai podi / gunpowder (store-bought or homemade); 1 tbsp Ginger-Garlic Paste, for the initial marinade; 1 tbsp Lemon Juice, fresh; ¼ tsp Ground Turmeric, for color; ½ tsp Mustard Seeds, for the temper; 20 Curry Leaves, a generous handful; 2 tbsp Ghee, essential for roasting the podi; 1 tbsp Cooking Oil, for pan-frying the chicken; ½ tsp Salt, adjust carefully as Podi already contains salt

1 hr 10 mintotal

40 min hands-on30 min hands-off

Prep 25 min · Cook 15 min

Serves: 2
Difficulty: Medium
Spice: Spicy

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Method

In a bowl, mix the chicken cubes with the ginger garlic paste, turmeric powder, lemon juice, and a tiny pinch of salt. Let it rest.
Heat the cooking oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer.
Pan-fry the chicken for 6-8 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the pieces are cooked through, the moisture has evaporated, and the edges are lightly browned.
6–8 min
Push the cooked chicken to one side of the skillet. In the empty space, lower the heat and add the ghee.
Once the ghee melts, add the mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add the curry leaves and fry for 10 seconds until crisp.
10 sec
Mix the chicken back into the tempered ghee. Now, sprinkle the Idli Podi (Gunpowder) evenly over the chicken.
Toss vigorously over low heat for 1-2 minutes. The ghee will hydrate the dry podi, turning it into a thick, coarse crust that clings to every piece of chicken.
1–2 min
Turn off the heat. Serve immediately while hot and fragrant.

How to tell it's done

Bite-sized, juicy chicken chunks completely enrobed in a nutty, fiery, coarse lentil-spice crust.

Getting it right

Tip

Do not add the Podi too early or cook it on high heat, as the roasted lentils in the podi mix burn very quickly and turn bitter.

What to serve it with

A highly addictive dry starter that pairs wonderfully with a chilled drink, or can be served alongside Dal Rice for a comforting meal.

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Ingredients