HARIYALI CHICKEN TIKKA |STEP BY STEP

 

Here, I present steps to make Hariyali chicken tikka with pictorials and tips. The Pakistani Hariyali chicken can be made on the regular pan, on a grill pan, in the oven, or over a barbecue pit. This is a very simple Pakistani recipe that requires very basic ingredients.

DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF HARIYALI CHICKEN

Haryali chicken is basically chicken marinated in cilantro and mint paste. You can turn this marinated chicken into a Hariyali chicken curry or Hariyali chicken tikka, haryali murgh biryani, or anything similar.

A tikka is usually a bite-size grilled boneless meat or paneer (Pakistani cottage cheese).

WHAT TO SERVE WITH HARIYALI CHICKEN?

The tikka version of Haryali chicken is great as a starter or a protein side with biryani or any other Punjabi curry.
You can serve Haryali chicken tikka with a dip like mayo garlic sauce or creamy garlic yogurt sauce. If you serve haryali chicken tikka as a main course pair it with garlic naan, paratha or chapati, and kachumber salad along with garlic yogurt dip.

TIPS TO GRILL TIKKA

• The best way to make tikka is by grilling it on a barbecue pit and serving it fresh and hot.
• Soak your wooden skewers in water especially if you plan to grill on a barbecue pit as soaked skewers do not catch fire.
• If in case, you can’t grill it outside. You can cook tikka skewers on a cast iron grill pan until charred on the sides. Even a normal fry pan works well for this purpose. After cooking, we can smoke our tikka with hot charcoal for the same grilled tikka aroma and flavors. Smoking is optional.
• If you don’t have time for skewering, you can simply cook your boneless tikka on a pan over high heat until the water dries and tikka are a little charred here and there.
• If you wish to bake haryali chicken tikka, just spread the marinated chicken on a baking dish, and cook for 15-20 minutes in a preheated oven at 350 F until water runs clear. Flip the tray after 10 minutes for even baking.
• Dry roasting cumin is very easy. You just need to put cumin in a pan on medium heat and stir until cumin is fragrant. Cumin is roasted and you can use this roasted cumin instead of normal cumin in all Punjabi dishes. And you’ll be surprised this little step can make a huge difference in taste.

HOW TO MAKE HARIYALI CHICKEN TIKKA?

Have a look at the ingredients for hariyali chicken tikka.

1. Transfer all ingredients of hariyali chicken paste to a blender. Also, add oil. Use as little water to blend as possible, preferably just 2 tablespoons.
2. Wash and pat dry chicken breast. Cut it into cubes. Add the green paste to the chicken and apply it all over thoroughly. (TIP: If you have a few tablespoons of extra green paste left, you can mix it with mayonnaise or yogurt or sour cream to make your hariyali dip.)
3. Marinate for at least 30 minutes on the counter or preferably 4 -12 hours in the fridge for best results. (Tip: Simultaneously, soak your wooden skewers in water especially if you plan to grill on a barbecue pit. Soaked skewers do not catch fire.
4. After marination thread the chicken into wooden skewers.

• If you wish to smoke tikka then heat a piece of charcoal at this stage. (It takes some time to turn red hot.)

• Transfer skewers to a grill pan and cook on high heat for 8-10 minutes. Brush little oil on the chicken on both sides.
• Cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side until golden or charred. Serve immediately or proceed to smoke.
• (If cooking on a barbecue pit, keep wooden skewers on the barbecue grill.)

• To smoke, keep haryali tikka in a pot, keep a piece of foil between the chicken. Place the red hot charcoal carefully on the foil. Drizzle a few drops of oil and immediately cover the lid. (Lid should be tight and smoke shouldn't escape. You can also put a heavy object on the lid.) Smoke for 4-5 minutes at least. You can store hot tikka in a hot pot or foil until serving.