February 9, 2012

Fiery Chicken Roast — spicy, addictive flavors

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Life is beautiful. Beauty-full, yes.

I have a crush, I must confess. Nah, nah, don’t get me wrong. It’s nothing complicated. Just, er, this.

Have you joined Pinterest yet? If not, you’re in for a treat. It’s visual addiction. Bewitching, simply.

Lately, I’ve been clicking around www for hours, perusing my passions in this fascinating space. Discovering. Sharing. Stumbling upon inspiring sites, learning new ideas, falling in love with fresh talents. Finding products that whisper my name, images that flutter my heart, words that touch my soul. It’s a stage for relentless eye-candy, particularly for the text-weary eyes. I find myself sucked into this tempting time wrap every time I log in. The best part? It does not demand much. For all you do is, click, drool, pin—as simple as that. I’ve become a pinning enthusiast constantly cataloging delicious food, lovely props, inspiring quotes, amazing photographs and all kinds of interests to my ever-increasing pinboards that work like a visual curation. 

I’m sure even this will pass—just like my obsession with facebooking, blogging and tweeting has mellowed. I’m no social media fanatic, nah. Most especially, not these days. But, for now, I’m smitten. With Pinterest.

Care to see my love lists? Check here. Even better, why don’t you sign up and get inspired? It sure is great fun. All you need is an invitation from someone to join, or you can request an invite from the Pinterest team. And oh, be prepared to fritter away a good couple of hours daydreaming, plus extra time for dealing with the traffic in your inbox each time your pin goes viral. And yeah, don’t hesitate to give me a shout once you sign in!
Now that I’ve disclosed my little giddy secret, let’s talk business. And today’s topic is chicken roast. Fiery, hot roast. A dish guaranteed to warm you up from the insides out, possibly make you sweat toothink about a warm woolly sweater on a cold chilly day! It is winter comfort food. At least, for us, it is. Sounds exciting, huh?

Perhaps not surprisingly, we all bring a bit of history and culture to the dining table—authentic tastes we grew up with, tantalizing aromas from our childhood days. It’s universal.

My memories are steeped in the allure of simmering spices, toasty smell of spluttering mustards, comfort of bubbling lentils. Fresh curry leaves and dried red chilies frying in the kadhai on a typical day, or the seductive smell of biryani warming the whole house and whetting our appetite on special occasions.

Sure I’ve tasted and prepared my fare share of cuisines of the world. Nonetheless, my preferences are largely influenced by my Indian heritage. Just like my family’s. For instance, we prefer meat—be it fish, poultry, lamb or beef—packed with robust flavors. Flavors that make us swoon in delight, ooh.

Growing up in a culture with spicy cuisine, our tolerance for fiery food is pretty high. Though  naturally spice fiends, there are times we’ve literally blushed pink from the taste, even cried our way through the fire in our mouth. But, we always enjoy the kick.
Roast chicken has always been a favorite in our home. I like to spice things up when the weather is chilly, because that’s when I find myself craving hot food. Mind you, I'm talking food that’s hot and fiery without being too greasy. I’m most conscious of the calories, and prefer to cook dishes that don’t pack on the pounds. Even if I do, I like to limit them to an occasional splurge that’s sinful enough.

Those who can’t take the tingle, I’m sorry to say, this roast is not for you. However, if you are feeling feisty, there’s good news. Spices like chili, pepper and turmeric have calorie burning properties that will boost metabolism. Plus lean protein from the chicken will help keep you fuller for longer. A win-win situation, don’t you agree?

Just keep a jug of cold water nearby before you polish off the dish, because we are talking some serious fire here. Hey, don’t chicken out before you try—it’s really delicious and totally addictive.
This is one of the easiest and most rewarding meat recipes. The preparation leans more on my prawn roast—no mincing or chopping, no daunting spice list, no sweat and tears. It’s sinfully easy. Just boil away all the ingredients on high heat so that the meat sucks in all the flavors, leaving it really tender and juicy. The delicious aroma of the roast alone is very appetizing.

Serve it as an appetizer at parties; a light meal with a simple green salad; or as a side to go with the main meal alongside rice or bread, desi style. Don’t hesitate to scale back on the hot spices and tweak the recipe to suit your personal taste.

Fiery Chicken Roast

Ingredients
Serves 4
Prep 5 min, cooking 25 min

500g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, defrosted (use thigh meat, if you like)
2 cups water, divided
salt, to taste

For the masala
4 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika powder
½ teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
2 teaspoon black pepper powder
½ teaspoon garam masala powder
½ teaspoon aniseed (perumjeerikam)
8 curry leaves

For frying
packed handful curry leaves
5 green chilies, slit lengthwise (adjust to tolerance)
oil (use coconut for authentic taste)
Directions

Take the chicken breasts out of their packing and cut into chunks or bite-size portions per your preference.

Whiz all masala ingredients along with ½ cup water in a food processor or chopper until smooth.

In a heavy-bottomed nonstick skillet, mix together the masala blend with the remaining water (1½ cups), then add the chicken pieces and season to taste. Cook over high heat for about 15-18 minutes, until the liquid is reduced, thick and completely coating the meat.

Turn the heat to medium-low, push the meat to the sides of the pan and make a well in the center. Drizzle a bit of oil to the middle, stir in curry leaves and chilies and fry for a minute until crisp. Taste for seasoning, then increase heat to medium-high and stir-fry everything for 2-3 minutes until the meat is seared and golden brown to your preference, adding extra oil if the pan starts to seem too dry. Serve with lemon wedge, for drizzling, alongside a simple green salad, hot steamed rice or paratha (Indian bread). And oh, don't forget a jug of cold water.

It’s dangerously addictive and just the thing to lift the winter doldrums, enjoy!
In other news, have you checked my fb page recently? I’ve shared recipes for lemon delicious pudding, spicy chickpea roast and caramelized chickpeas in my album titled Make it Tonight: Simple & Easy Recipes. Besides the recipes published here on the blog, I plan to add new recipes to my fb page too. Definitely head over to my page and catch up on the action.

Happy weekend, my friends! Valentines is just a few days away, any special plans?

64 comments:

  1. Amazing hot and fiery chicken roast dear. I can bear the spicyness of this delicious looking roast. A fabulous creation... and mouth watering and finger licking snaps...

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    1. Thanks for the comment love Zari! This sure is loaded with spicy heat, guaranteed to put your mouth on fire :)

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  2. I was just thinking to make some chicken fry for tonight and here I see your recipe, probably I'll make it for lunch now, very tempting. I love that little spice bowls.

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    1. Ayeesha, I usually make this for lunch, like at the last minute--it's so easy. You definitely should try this and let me know how you like it! ♥

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  3. Mouthwatering chicken roast!!! will try it soon

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    1. Yes, please do that. The taste is fab!

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  4. :O looks quite good to me...

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    1. Oh yea, it's really yummy.... and spicy :)

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  5. "Fiery" - I like the sound of that! The red saucy chicken pieces are really calling out to me.

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  6. wow!!yummy yummy!simply super chicken roast!!lovely pics!

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  7. wow....yummy chicken roast......fantastic clicks too as usual...

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  8. I have to try out your spicy chicken roast, it looks heavenly delicious! I am on pinterest too and I love it, the only issue is my internet connection. I cant upload pics for some reason. anyway, I ll try to pin your photo here first. great job! =)

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    1. So glad to hear you are going to try this Helene, plz let me know how you like it!

      I'm totally in love with pinterest. All I wish to do these days is drool, get inspired and pin my time away :) I'm sure your issues must be with the connectivity. Hope you tackle it soon!

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  9. I don't eat chicken, but your pictures are awesome, love the katories with the spice powders, and all the props, a big fan here..

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  10. Oh my this is mouthwatering!! Love your clicks as always.

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  11. I am drooling over here, literally. Chicken is my favorite, and Kerala dry roasts, fries are big time favorites. This looks so good.

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    Replies
    1. This is a awesome recipe...YUMMY

      Aarthi
      http://www.yummytummyaarthi.com/

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  12. Simply yummy and delicious looking chicken roast. Excellent recipe.

    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

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  13. Mouthwatering and superb chicken roast..looks awesome,excellent recipe..will surely try

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  14. Nice desi style curry, though I think my heat tolerance nowadays is almost zero:(..ooh btw,did u get my email?

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    Replies
    1. Guilty as charged! It's just that I'm so bad with e-mails. Especially these days. But I love hearing from you, really I do!

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  15. Your FB page is awesome as is this chicken roast. Do you ever get tired of constant praise? :-)

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  16. Oh dear awesome tempting pics... I would love to come over to ur place...
    My culinary Trial room
    Ongoing event - Love n Chocolate Fest

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  17. Very tempting chicken dish. Great idea

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  18. That's a mouthwatering chicken roast !!

    Ongoing Event - CC-Dish For Loved Ones

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  19. I love all those cute little wooden bowls you have. Beuatiful pics as ever. The chicken looks indeed tempting and very much attractive in this freezing cold winter!!

    You know, I've got an invitation to Pinterest months back and yet I haven't logged into it even once. I'm one of those cursed people with no time to just sit back and enjoy life. I try not to envy you ;o)

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  20. Spicy and super yummy roast...Aareyum tempt cheyyunna clicks..

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  21. wow this looks so delicious!! your pictures are truly inspiring. such great light.

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  22. that masala paste looks fiery & super delecious... im gonna try it with paneer! love the bowls & props :)

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  23. Beautiful pictures and the dish will surely mesmerize everyone cos u have captured it beautifully.

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  24. Life is beautiful, but your photos are...beautiful-ER!

    I can't do spicy sadly...doc's orders...maybe if I douse this is a ton of yoghurt? Sorta reminds me of kadai chicken.

    Great post!

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    1. Oh yea, yoghurt is a sure way to kill the hotness. Another option is to add coconut milk.

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  25. The photographs are very beautiful. I would love to make this but I don't have any curry leaves and this recipe seems to require that they don't be omitted. I can get frozen curry leaves from a store 45 miles away and next time I go there I will get some more.

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    1. You are right. Curry leaf imparts that special flavor to this dish. Hope you find it and get to try this!

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  26. Chicken roast looks fabulous!!
    I recently joined Pinterest but I am not really addicted to it (yet?) My life is way too busy right now and I don't have time for any new social media in it! lol... Just followed you and all your boards to FULL, colorful and interesting.

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  27. Yummmmy! Nashi you are so smart..Love your recipes & awesome photography!
    Your family is sooooper doooooper lucky to have you...a smart cook Nashi :)
    I have no words for appreciating your Creativity!
    Lots of Love ~

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  28. Mindblowing photos as always! You are super creative...:)

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  29. That's an full spicy hot post....carving pictures....Pinning is really addictive......

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  30. Gorgoeous pics Nash and the dish looks superb :)

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  31. Speak my mind?? "am totally J"

    Say hello? "yes, helllooooo"

    Tell me what you like? "if i were a man i would've killed to marry you"

    Inspiration, Reward, Happiness, Smile...these are synonyms for you babe ;p

    will try this and let you know once my rush here subsides...smoked paprika powder mebbe a problem to get hold of.

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    1. And you, my friend, are the epitome of awesomeness!
      As for the recipe, paprika's optional. Though it does add a hint of sweetness & mellows down the spiciness.

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  32. Wow looks so good...even though I cannot eat spicy food! My husband will be happy eating this kind of spicy food for sure. Poor him I cook non-spicy Japanese food! Haha. Hope I can improve my stomach tolerance for spicy food. It's such a gorgeous meal!

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  33. My husband tried this recipe n everyone loved it. Thank you!

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    1. I'm so glad to hear this Anisha! Thanks so much for your feedback!

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  34. I just made this today for Friday lunch along with ur sausage pilaf...It was so easy to put together and so yum in the end..! Great recipe.. Will buzz u next week..I gather you re busy with cousins in town..

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    1. Hello beautiful, I'm so happy to hear this! Thank you for trying, and for the lovely feedback! Talk soon, ♥

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  35. I am in love with the props in this post! The wooden bowls are so cute! Where did you get those from??

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    1. These wooden props are from Kenya. I got them at an expo in Doha. They're really cheap, wish I'd bought more-duh!

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  36. Thank you for sharing this recipe. I just made some adjustment with the recipe. I used a little bit of wine in marinating the chicken 3hours before cooking it.
    buy wine online

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    1. I'm sure it tasted pretty tasty with the wine! Thanks for trying the recipe.

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  37. i'm skipping reading, the picture of roasted chicken is too much handle, i'm drooling!!

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  38. Hey am trying this out tomorrow...similar to the prawn roast right? So i'll add pearl onions and adjust spices. Hmmm I read a wine marinade above. Should I add Sherry? But may not go with the cococonutty taste of oil right?

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  39. i made this ,better half gave full marks .its delicious & very easy to make .a recipe for keepers.thanks a lot.

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    1. I'm so glad you liked it, thanks so much for letting me know!

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  42. Made this today for dinner,everyone enjoyed it. Thank you.

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A million thank you's for stopping by, taking the time to connect, and coming back to visit again. I genuinely appreciate each of your kind thoughts, lovely words, love and support. Happy, happy to hear from you, and hope to see you again!

♥ Nashi