The hard-to-resist aroma and delectable taste of chicken curry are widely loved by all the non-vegetarians out there! Each region and state in India has its own way of making chicken. In south India, the chicken is cooked in coconut milk to give it a distinctive taste. Similarly in Rajasthan, red chillies are extensively used to give the chicken a fiery flavour. In north India, a lot of focus is put on butter and cream to give the chicken chunks a smokey, creamy and buttery flavour. Chicken is a versatile ingredient that goes well with almost every other ingredient be it different veggies or spices. Well, nothing can beat the restaurant or the dhabha style chicken but the homemade chicken is no less! Chicken when cooked at home becomes a wholesome dish that has all the healthy ingredients, efforts and love! Do you know that you can pair your chicken with different ingredients to enhance its flavour and nutritional values?
Here are some ingredients that you can pair with chicken to make delectable dishes-
Methi (fenugreek)
Add some methi to your chicken and enjoy the blended flavours. Methi chicken is quite popular around Lucknow. Methi chicken is a rich and nutritious dish that is ideal for a quick dinner. The methi flavour in the curry, which is subtle but distinctive, is as reviving and mouthwatering as it gets. Also adding methi to the dish will enhance its nutritional value and is a healthier option to eat.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is traditionally added to every dish in South India. Adding some coconut milk to chicken gives it a strong unique flavour that gets balanced well with other spices. With a world-class creamy gravy made with coconut, this coconut milk chicken is a flavorful fusion of exotic spices, delicate coconut milk, and perfectly cooked chicken chunks.
Spinach
Paalak or spinach is the richest source of iron. Adding spinach to chicken not only adds a delicious flavour to it but also provides various nutrients. Adding spinach also makes the chicken moist and soft. In paalak chicken, tender pieces of boneless chicken breast and spinach leaves are simmered in an onion-tomato gravy made creamy with cashews. This is the best of North Indian chicken recipes and a foodie's dream come true.
Achar Masala/ Pickles
Pickles make every dish taste better and what's better than adding achar masala to chicken! Have you heard about Achari murgh? Well, it is a dish in which the chicken pieces are cooked with ingredients that are used to make pickles. The preparation is normally similar to any Indian chicken curry, but the flavours and tastes are much more authentic. Mustard oil in this dish gives the chicken a pungent flavour that tastes similar to any other achar.
Lemon
Lemon can enhance any dish's flavour and taste. Its tart and tangy flavour add life to any dish whether it is non-vegetarian or vegetarian. Lemon chicken is one such dish in which the gravy is made tangy using lemon and other spices. This dish has a strong tart flavour and can be served as a starter for any gathering. Serve it with some onion rings and green chutney and savour the delicious blend of ingredients with every bite!