Many people enjoy a good chicken dish , and the Afghanistan region of Asia is one which produces some of the world’s most delicious chicken dishes.
This Afghani chicken recipe is no exception .
The combination of savory and sweet flavors gives the chicken a unique and unforgettable taste that will please any palate.
What ingredients do you need to make an Afghani chicken recipe ?
This is a simple recipe which only requires a few ingredients , and the chicken is marinated overnight before being cooked.
This means you can prepare this dish ahead of time so it will be ready when you are, or you can prepare it while you are watching a movie .
The dish can also be prepared in advance and refrigerated until needed.
The following ingredients should be available in your local grocery store:
For an extra punch of flavor , try serving the dish with turmeric rice (also known as “chicken” rice), or yogurt-marinated cucumbers, or both !
What spices are typically used in an Afghani chicken recipe ?
The spices used in this Afghani chicken recipe are very similar to those used in other dishes.
Garam masala is a mix of Indian spices and herbs, while cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, cumin, fenugreek and coriander are some of the other ingredients that are used.
The dish is also typically cooked with dried raisins .
To enhance their flavor , fresh tomatoes and garlic are frequently added.
How long does it take to prepare an Afghani chicken recipe ?
The Afghani chicken recipe is a fairly simple dish to make.
One of the most important parts of preparing this chicken recipe is to allow it to marinate for at least 10 hours before it is cooked.
After the chicken has marinated , it will need to be placed in a preheated oven for approximately one hour per pound of chicken .
Once the chicken has been cooked , it can be savory in a number of ways .
Some people enjoy serving their Afghani chicken recipe with rice and vegetables, while others prefer to serve it with a dipping sauce such as yogurt or tzatziki.
What type of cooking method is used to make an Afghani chicken recipe ?
The Afghani chicken recipe is quite simple to prepare.
The dish combines a few simple ingredients and spices that are quickly cooked in a traditional oven or on an outdoor grill.
The oven method of cooking the dish with aromatics such as ginger, garlic, and shallots browns the chicken.
This gives it a wonderful , crispy exterior .
For the grill method, you will want to use a small, fire-safe grill to prevent the chicken from burning.
This can be done indoors, but it is better to perform this recipe outdoors to add some smoke flavor .
Once the chicken is browned , you can simply cover it in the sauce and let it cook for a little while until the sauce has thickened.
How do you know when the Afghani chicken is cooked ?
The trick to cooking an Afghani chicken recipe successfully is to determine when the meat reaches its desired level of doneness .
There are a variety of methods for determining doneness , and you can use any one of them to help you decide when your Afghani chicken is ready to be served.
The most common method is to use a thermometer.
You can purchase a thermometer designed specifically for this purpose , or you can use a meat thermometer that has a clip on it.
The clip should be placed in the thickest part of the meat and at the deepest part of the bone .
You will want to keep an eye on your Afghani chicken as it cooks because you will be able to see when it is done (or not) by the color of the meat.
You might also try using a hand-held instant-read thermometer to monitor the temperature .
This method is more time-consuming , but you can use it to accurately gauge when the Afghani chicken is cooked.
What accompaniments go well with an Afghani chicken recipe ?
An Afghani chicken recipe is very easy to prepare , and it makes for a great weeknight meal.
It is also one of the most versatile chicken recipes you can find.
You can serve it with a variety of different accompaniments from side dishes to desserts .
Here are some of the best accompaniments for an Afghani chicken recipe.
Side dishes
An Afghani chicken recipe is perfect for serving alongside side dishes.
These can include rice pilaf, flatbreads or naan bread , or even simple vegetable sides like sautéed onions or green beans .
They make a great accompaniment to the chicken dish and also give you more options to pair with the chicken itself.
Desserts
It may be hard to imagine dessert as an accompaniment to an Afghani chicken recipe , but that is a mistake.
There are many ways you can serve desserts alongside the chicken dish.
The possibilities include fresh fruit, baked custard, or even a sweet sauce which you can drizzle over the cooked chicken.
The recipe below also has a dessert option consisting of date paste and honey .
Drinks
A great way to accompany an Afghani chicken recipe is by drinking something that complements it.
This could be anything from a glass of water , an herbal tea, or even alcohol .
These are all great options for the nourishment your body needs after eating a spicy dish.
What type of cuisine does an Afghani chicken recipe belong to ?
As we have already mentioned, Afghani chicken is a recipe that is a staple in Afghan cuisine.
While the dish may not be as popular outside of Afghanistan , it is also very well known around the world .
The cuisine of Afghanistan is diverse , and the vast majority of Afghan dishes are enjoyed by both Muslims and non-Muslims.
The country is home to many different tribes and cultures, so there are numerous regional variations of Afghani chicken recipes in addition to the national recipe .
The national Afghani chicken recipe is one of the most famous in the region, and it differs from other regional variations in various ways.
The main ingredients are chicken , spices such as cardamom, saffron, and cumin, and herbs such as coriander and oregano .
What is the origin of an Afghani chicken recipe ?
Historians believe that the chicken dish we know and love as Afghani chicken recipe was first served in Afghanistan over a thousand years ago.
It was an aristocrat from the region, named Mahmud Ghazni , who first created the dish, using an early form of yogurt .
The recipe he developed became popular among the elite of his kingdom as well as the lower classes .
The dish was served on special occasions and was considered to be a luxurious meal.
It is likely that this dish then spread throughout Asia and was brought to other countries in the region after the region became part of the British Empire.
As it spread across Asia, Afghani chicken recipe became more and more popular.
Today , it is still a popular food in Afghanistan and one of their national dishes.
It is also very popular all around Asia, especially in India and Pakistan .
How can you make an Afghani chicken recipe healthier ?
While this Afghan chicken recipe is tasty, it is also packed with calories and high in fat.
To make it a little healthier , you can cut out some of the oil and use less spice .
This will make the dish taste much less intense, which is particularly important if you are making it for kids.
What variations on an Afghani chicken recipe are available ?
The chicken dish that we are going to make here is called “Kabob Chaan” which is a combination of chicken and rice.
If you are not a big rice fan , you can make it with a meat dish instead .
Some other variations include:
- Chicken with Pomegranate Seeds: Use the same method as the one described above to prepare this delicious recipe that includes pomegranate seeds in the seasoning.
- Chicken with Potatoes: This delicious dish is similar to the one above but uses potatoes instead of rice.
- Chicken with Tomatoes: The combination of tomatoes and chicken makes for an amazing dish that is sure to please any palate.
Ingredients
- ½ kg Chicken
- 15 Cashews
- 4 tbsp Yogurt
- 1 tsp Black Pepper Powder
- 1 tsp Garam Masala Powder
- 1 tsp Chat Masala Powder
- 2 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
- Salt to taste
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 4 tbsp Fresh Cream
- 1 tbsp Kasuri Methi Leaves
- 2 tbsp Oil
Instructions
- Blend the cashews and yogurt until completely smooth.
- Combine all the ingredients—aside from the oil—in a bowl. Give it two hours to marinate.
- In a pan, heat the oil. Fry the chicken pieces in the addition till golden brown.
- Add the leftover marinade and a little water to the pan now.
- For 15 to 20 minutes, cook with a cover over low heat.
- Serve.
Video
Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.