Fast Curries
Pahadi Chicken Tikka – Air Fryer Cilantro Mint Chicken is easy, versatile and fun to make! The green marinade on the chicken is a favorite of ours.
What is Pahadi Chicken Tikka – Air Fryer Cilantro Mint Chicken?
‘Pahadi’ originates from the word ‘pahad’ which means mountain. Pahadi food encompasses food from the mountainous regions around the Himalayas, for instance, Kumaon, Garhwal and parts of Kashmir.
This tikka recipe is traditionally grilled. However, I have attempted it in the air fryer.
What ingredients do I need to make Pahadi Chicken Tikka – Air Fryer Cilantro Mint Chicken?
Boneless chicken, cilantro leaves, mint leaves, Serrano peppers (hari mirch), cumin seeds, lemon juice, ginger garlic paste, garam masala, dried fenugreek leaves, greek yogurt, salt, oil, water, and chaat masala.
How do I make this recipe?
First, dice the chicken to 2-inch cubes.
Second, grind the cilantro leaves, mint leaves, serrano peppers, cumin seeds, lemon juice with 2 tablespoons of water in a blender.
Third, in a separate large bowl, mix Greek yogurt with ginger garlic paste, garam masala, dried fenugreek leaves, salt, and 1.5 tablespoons oil.
Further, add in the ground green mix to the Greek yogurt marinade. Mix well. Furthermore, add in the diced chicken.
Let it marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes. Ideally 6 hours is perfect. But if you are in a time crunch 30 minutes is good.
When you are ready to cook, grease your air fryer basket with some of the remaining oil. I grease mine by rubbing, brushing, or spraying, a little bit of oil on the bottom grate. Then, follow your air fryer directions for preheating to 350°F for 5 minutes. When it’s preheated, working in batches, place the chicken in a single layer or on a skewer. Air fry for 18 minutes, at 360°F. At the 9-minute mark brush the chicken generously with oil, and turn the chicken/skewers. Also, every air fryer is different so check after the 15-minute mark. You can increase or decrease the time as per your liking.
Finally, serve with Indian flatbread or with lettuce wraps. It can be served as an appetizer on its own.
Tried this recipe yet? Give us a rating, comment below in the reply section and let us know what you think.
Moreover, try some of our other air fryer recipes:
Pahadi Chicken Tikka – Air Fryer Cilantro Mint Chicken
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds chicken, boneless thighs or breast (chopped into 2 to 3 inch pieces)
- 1 and 1/2 cups fresh cilantro leaves, fresh (dhaniya ke patte)
- 1/2 cup mint leaves, fresh (pudeene kee pattiyaan)
- 4 serrano peppers, small (1/2 tbsp chopped) (hari mirch)
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp water (to blend)
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
- 3/4 tbsp ginger garlic paste (fresh or packaged)
- 2 tsp garam masala
- 1 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves (kasoori methi/ kasuri methi) (crush kasuri methi between your palms before adding)
- 1 and 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp oil of choice (divided)
- Some chaat masala (for garnish)
Instructions
Prep
- First, dice the chicken to 2-inch cubes.
- Second, rinse and chop the cilantro, mint and serrano peppers. Next grind the cilantro leaves, mint leaves, serrano peppers, cumin seeds, lemon juice with 2 tablespoons of water in a blender.
- In a separate large bowl, mix Greek yogurt with ginger garlic paste, garam masala, dried fenugreek leaves, salt, and 1.5 tablespoons oil.
- Add in the ground green mix to the Greek yogurt marinade. Mix well. Furthermore, add in the diced chicken.
- Cover with a lid and let it marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes in the refrigerator. Ideally 6 hours is perfect. But if you are in a time crunch 30 minutes is good.
Air Fry
- When you are ready to cook, grease your air fryer basket with some of the remaining oil. I grease mine by rubbing, brushing, or spraying, a little bit of oil on the bottom grate. Then, follow your air fryer directions for preheating to 350°F for 5 minutes.
- When it’s preheated, working in batches, place the chicken in a single layer or on a skewer. Air fry for 18 minutes, at 360°F. At the 9-minute mark brush the chicken generously with oil, and turn the chicken/skewers. Also, every air fryer is different so check after the 15-minute mark. You can increase or decrease the time as per your liking.
- Finally, serve with Indian flatbread or with lettuce wraps. It can be served as an appetizer on its own.
Notes
- Don’t stack the chicken over each other. If needed, cook in batches.
- I used metal skewers. If you are using wooden skewers, make sure to pre-soak them in water for 10 minutes before using, its very important
- Every air fryer is different so please check whether the chicken is done after the 15 minute mark. You can increase the time as per your preferences. For instance, if you like it more charred then increase the time.
- Rub the chicken well with marinade, however don’t overcoat it with the marinade just before air frying. Discard the excess marinade or else you will taste a lot of spices.
