Spicy Chicken Recipe
Overview:
This Spicy Chicken recipe is a delightful fusion of flavors from Southwest Asia, India, and Europe, resulting in a tantalizing dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. With a prep time of just 30 minutes and a total cook time of 8 hours and 30 minutes, this recipe yields tender and succulent chicken infused with aromatic spices, making it a true crowd-pleaser.
- Preparation Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
- Serving: 3-4 servings
Ingredients:
- 3 chicken thighs
- 3 chicken drumsticks
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 cloves
- 6 cardamom pods
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1-2 green chilies (adjust according to your spice preference)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- Chicken stock (enough to cover the chicken)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken thighs and drumsticks with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces and brown them on all sides. This step helps to seal in the juices and adds extra flavor to the dish. Once browned, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
-
Sauté the Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the sliced onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom pods, garam masala, curry powder, fresh ginger, ground turmeric, lemon zest, and chopped green chilies. Sauté for another 2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
-
Combine Ingredients in the Crock-Pot: Transfer the browned chicken pieces to the crock-pot. Pour the sautéed onion and spice mixture over the chicken, ensuring it’s evenly distributed.
-
Cook in the Crock-Pot: Pour enough chicken stock over the chicken to cover it completely. Cover the crock-pot with its lid and set the temperature to low. Allow the chicken to cook for 4 to 6 hours, depending on the power of your crock-pot and desired tenderness of the meat. Cooking on low heat for a longer duration allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in tender and flavorful chicken.
-
Serve: Once the chicken is cooked to perfection, remove it from the crock-pot and transfer it to a serving platter. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Serve hot with your choice of sides, such as rice and steamed vegetables, to complete the meal.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 834.7
- Fat: 62.3g
- Saturated Fat: 16.3g
- Cholesterol: 286.6mg
- Sodium: 261.7mg
- Carbohydrates: 5.8g
- Fiber: 0.8g
- Sugar: 2.2g
- Protein: 59.6g
Tips:
- If you prefer a milder spice level, you can adjust the amount of green chilies or omit them altogether.
- For a quicker cooking option, you can prepare this dish in the oven. Simply cook it in a covered dish for 1 1/2 to 2 hours at 300°F (150°C) or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Don’t have whole spices on hand? No problem! You can substitute them with ground spices for convenience.
- The lemon zest and green chilies add a zesty kick to the dish, but feel free to omit them if you prefer a more traditional flavor profile.
This Spicy Chicken recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen, delighting your taste buds with its bold and aromatic flavors. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or entertaining guests, this dish is guaranteed to impress. Enjoy! 🍗🌶️