Chicken Pakora Recipe

Name: Chicken Pakora Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 ½ lb chicken thighs (cut into bite size pieces); 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 tablespoon ginger and garlic paste; 1 teaspoon green chili (finely chopped); ½ tablespoon red chili powder; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; ¾ teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves; ¾ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon garam masala; ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder; 1 cup gram flour; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; ¼ teaspoon baking soda; ½ cup water; Oil (to deep fry); Chopped cilantro (to garnish); Lemon wedges (to serve)

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Chicken Pakora, a popular street food with Indian roots, boasts tender chicken, vibrant spices and a crispy coating. The chicken is deep fried to perfection yet juicy and flavorful. Best of all, dinner can be on the table in about 30 minutes with this recipe!

A large serving platter of chicken pakora.

Chicken Pakora is the perfect recipe for those who love spicy and flavorful food. Spicy bite sized chicken makes a fun addition to any party or tailgate when you serve up with multiple dips and sauces! This recipe can easily be doubled or triples making it sure to score a touchdown at the next Super Bowl party. Still it’s simple enough to make for a snack or meal any night of the week.

Why I Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How To Make Chicken Pakora
Tips To Perfect this Chicken Pakora Recipe
What to Serve with Chicken Pakora
Storing and Reheating
Alternative Cooking Methods
Frequently Asked Questions
More Chicken Recipes
Chicken Pakora Recipe Recipe

Why I Love This Recipe

It’s unique flavor. This dish packs a punch with rich Indian flavors and spices!
It’s flexible flavor. Heat can be dialed up or down by adjusting spices or serving with different dips!
It’s party perfect. These bite-size chickens make the perfect appetizer for any potluck or finger food party!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chicken thighs: The dark meat has more fat making it more tender and flavorful so it fries up beautifully.
Marinade: This is where the spice lives! We have lemon juice, ginger and garlic paste, green chili, red chili powder, cumin, fenugreek leaves, salt, garam masala, and turmeric powder which come together to create a spicy south Asian flavor.
Batter: The gram flour, cornstarch and baking soda get mixed directly onto the marinade and the chicken thighs. By mixing in water, a little bit at a time, it turns into a thick batter.
Oil for frying: Use your favorite oil and make sure there’s enough to deep fry.
Garnish: Lemon and cilantro brighten and complement the spicy batter.

How To Make Chicken Pakora

Step 1: Prepare the equipment. Gather pans, mixing bowls and ingredients. Chop ingredients then set aside.

Chicken is marinated in a spicy seasoning blend in a bowl.

Step 2: Make marinade and toss chicken. In a wide bowl, place the chicken pieces. Add the lemon juice, ginger and garlic paste, green chili, red chili powder, cumin, fenugreek leaves, salt, garam masala, and turmeric powder. Toss the chicken pieces well with the spices and allow them to marinate for at least 15 minutes.

Combining marinated chicken with flour for batter in a bowl.

Chicken is coated in seasoning and flour to create a frying batter.

Step 3: Bread chicken. Add the gram flour, cornstarch, and baking soda to the chicken and toss it. Sprinkle water little by little until it forms a thick batter.

Step 4: Fry chicken in batches. Meanwhile, heat oil for deep frying in a wok. Once the oil is heated, add the chicken pieces and fry them for 4-5 minutes until they are golden and crispy. Repeat the same with the remaining chicken pieces and fry them in batches.

Fried chicken bites are draining on paper towels.

Step 5: Garnish and serve. Transfer the crispy chicken pakoras to a serving plate and garnish them with freshly chopped cilantro. Serve the chicken pakoras with lemon wedges on the side along with any dips.

Tips To Perfect this Chicken Pakora Recipe

If you have time, let the chicken marinate for a total of 30 minutes. The flavor will soak deep into the meat.
Don’t confuse baking SODA with baking POWDER. Baking soda is used to give the batter a little fluffiness. It reacts with the acidic lemon juice and produces bubbles to lift the batter.
Maintain a consistent oil temperature around 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit (175-190° degrees Celsius) or medium heat. Use a thermometer to ensure proper frying and avoid a greasy result.
Once fried, place the chicken pakora on a paper towel to absorb excess oil. This step helps maintain the crispiness by soaking up the extra oil.

What to Serve with Chicken Pakora

This Indian dish serves perfectly with white rice and a side of mint chutney or yogurt sauce. A cool greens salad or alongside simple Naan Bread will balance the heat coming from the fried chicken.

Storing and Reheating

Storing: Allow it to cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 1-2 days for the best texture.

To reheat: Use either the oven or a skillet to bring back the crisp on the chicken. In the oven, reheat for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In the skillet, add a little bit of oil over medium heat and reheat the chicken, flipping to ensure even heating.

Freezing: Freeze chicken in a single layer for 1-2 hours and make sure they aren’t touching. Once the chicken is individually frozen, transfer them to freezer bags or airtight containers to be used within 1-2 months.

Alternative Cooking Methods

Air Fryer: Achieve a crispy texture with less oil by using an air fryer. Coat the chicken pakora with a little oil spray and air fry at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes, turning halfway.

Baking: For a healthier option, bake pakoras in a preheated oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.

Grilling: Thread marinated chicken pieces onto skewers and grill for a unique twist. Baste with a little oil or marinade for added flavor.

Chicken pieces rests on a plate with a garnish of lemon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is gram flour?

Gram flour, also known as besan or chickpea flour, is a flour made from ground chickpeas. It is a staple ingredient in many South Asian and Mediterranean cuisines.

What’s the key to crispy chicken pakora?

Achieve crispiness by maintaining a consistent oil temperature, using a well-balanced batter, and frying in small batches.

How do I prevent the batter from becoming too thick?

Adjust the liquid-to-flour ratio in the batter. Add water gradually, mixing well, until you achieve a smooth and pourable consistency.

Can I use other cuts of chicken?

Boneless chicken breasts can be used in place of chicken thighs. Chicken breast has a tendency to overcook quicker so watch a little closer and pull as soon as the chicken reaches temperature.

A closeup shot of chicken pakora on a platter.

More Chicken Recipes

Chicken Pakora recipe offers a delightful combination of simplicity and bold flavors! It is a delectable Indian appetizer featuring bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a spiced batter, deep-fried to golden perfection. Its crispy exterior and flavorful interior make it a popular and irresistible dish!

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