Chicken Mandi

Name: Chicken Mandi
Total time: 1800 s
Yield: 2-3 servings
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: For Chicken Mandi -; 6 chicken drumstick; 2 dried lemon; 1 tsp. lemon zest; 1 cup Basmati rice, soaked for an hour; pinch saffron; 2 tbsp . water; 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder; 1 tsp. red chili powder; as per taste salt; 1 onion, chopped; 1-2 green chilies, chopped; 1 tsp. ginger-garlic paste; 3 tbsp. olive oil; 1 tsp. lemon juice; 1 small charcoal; 1 tsp. melted butter; For Garnishing; 1/4 cup dry fruits; 1 tsp. parsley, chopped; 1/2 tsp. dry rose petals; 1 boiled egg; As needed onion rings; as required lemon wedges; As needed Mandi Masala; 1& 1/2 tbsp. coriander seeds; 1 tsp. cumin seeds; 1 tsp. fennel seeds; 1/2 tsp. peppercorns; 2 bay leaves

Bethica Das @kitchen_flavours

Sharjah (UAE)

#Chicken21 - This is a traditional Yemeni style Biryani prepared with a special Mandi spice powder, that gives this classic dish a nice aroma. It is very popular in all the Middle Eastern countries and is considered as a great party recipe. It is almost similar to Kabsa, another variety of Arabic Biryani. It is very yummy and light on the tummy.

Chicken Mandi is suprisingly a very easy recipe, inspite of having a large medley of ingredients to prepare. It also resembles Kashmiri yakhni pulao to some extent, except for the fact that there is the use of dried lime, saffron and dry fruits, apart from the most important - freshly ground Mandi spice powder.

There are various methods of cooking this delicacy. Traditionally, it is cooked in an underground pit. It can also be cooked in a pot, on a stove top or in an oven. However, I went in for a quick pressure cooking method.

The uniqueness of this dish is in the way it is served. The fragrant rice is first spread on a big platter. The cooked chicken is then arranged over it and then garnished with dry fruits, parsley, dry rose petals, boiled egg, sliced onion / cucumber and lemon wedges.

Bethica Das @kitchen_flavours

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Ingredients

25-30 minutes

2-3 servings

ForChicken Mandi -
6chicken drumstick
2dried lemon
1 tsp. lemon zest
1 cupBasmati rice, soaked for an hour
pinchsaffron
2 tbsp. water
1/2 tsp.turmeric powder
1 tsp.red chili powder
as per tastesalt
1onion, chopped
1-2green chilies, chopped
1 tsp.ginger-garlic paste
3 tbsp.olive oil
1 tsp.lemon juice
1small charcoal
1 tsp. melted butter
ForGarnishing
1/4 cupdry fruits
1 tsp.parsley, chopped
1/2 tsp.dry rose petals
1boiled egg
As neededonion rings
as requiredlemon wedges
As neededMandi Masala
1& 1/2 tbsp. coriander seeds
1 tsp.cumin seeds
1 tsp.fennel seeds
1/2 tsp.peppercorns
2bay leaves
2-3dry red chilies
1/4 tsp.nutmeg
4-5cardamoms
1" cinnamon stick
6cloves

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Steps

25-30 minutes

1

Chicken - Dry roast all the mandi spices and set aside to cool down. Then grind into a fine powder. Add the turmeric powder, red chili powder and salt to taste.
2

Marinate the chicken drumstick with half of the spice powder, 1 tbsp. olive oil and lime juice overnight.
3

In a deep pan add some water for the stock. Place a stand and over it a greased colander. Arrange the marinated chicken on it.
4

Cover and steam for 25-30 minutes. Halfway through, flip the chicken drumsticks. When done, keep aside. Save the stock too.
5

Heat 1 tbsp. oil and sauté the steamed drumstick till light golden in colour. Drain and keep aside.
6

Rice - Heat remaining oil in a cooker and sauté the onion till light brown. Add the green chilies and ginger-garlic paste. Stir fry for a few seconds more.
7

Now add the remaining Mandi spice powder, 1/2 cup stock, dried lemon, rice, saffron water and salt to taste. Pressure cook for 2 whistles. Later fluff it up with a fork.
8

Transfer the cooked rice onto a serving plate. Arrange the sautéed chicken drumsticks over the rice.
9

Now place a small bowl with the melted butter in it. Heat the charcoal on a direct flame till red hot and then place it over the butter. Cover it immediately for 5-10 minutes for a nice Smokey flavour.
10

To serve, remove the foil and discard the charcoal. Garnish with all the mentioned ingredients and enjoy.