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Chicken Mandi Recipe

Chicken Mandi is a fragrant, smoky, and spice-infused dish that brings together tender, well-seasoned chicken and aromatic basmati rice. With layers of bold flavors and a signature charcoal-infused aroma, this traditional Yemeni-inspired meal is a feast for the senses.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keyword: Chicken Mandi Recipe
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 600kcal

Ingredients

For Chicken Mandi:

  • 6 chicken drumsticks
  • 1 cup Basmati rice soaked for an hour
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1-2 green chilies chopped
  • 2 dried lemons
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp red chili powder
  • Salt as per taste
  • Pinch of saffron
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 small charcoal
  • 1 tsp melted butter

For Garnishing:

  • ¼ cup dry fruits
  • 1 tsp parsley chopped
  • ½ tsp dry rose petals
  • 1 boiled egg
  • Onion rings as needed
  • Lemon wedges as required

For Mandi Masala:

  • tbsp coriander seeds
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds
  • ½ tsp peppercorns
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2-3 dry red chilies
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • 4-5 cardamoms
  • 1- inch cinnamon stick
  • 6 cloves

Instructions

Chicken:

  • In a dry pan, toast all the Mandi spice ingredients over low heat until fragrant, then let them cool before grinding into a fine powder. Mix the ground spice blend with turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt.
  • Rub half of the prepared spice mix onto the chicken drumsticks, along with 1 tbsp olive oil and lemon juice. Let the chicken marinate overnight to absorb the flavors.
  • In a deep pot, bring water to a gentle simmer to create stock. Place a stand inside and set a greased colander over it. Arrange the marinated chicken drumsticks in a single layer. Cover and steam for 25-30 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through. Once cooked, remove the chicken and set aside, reserving the flavorful stock for the rice.
  • Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan and lightly sear the steamed chicken drumsticks until golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.

Rice:

  • In a pressure cooker, heat the remaining olive oil and sauté the chopped onions until they turn golden brown. Stir in the green chilies and ginger-garlic paste, cooking for a few seconds until aromatic.
  • Sprinkle the remaining Mandi spice mix into the pot, followed by ½ cup of the reserved chicken stock, dried lemons, soaked rice, saffron-infused water, and salt. Seal the pressure cooker and cook for two whistles. Once done, fluff the rice gently with a fork.
  • Spoon the cooked rice onto a serving platter and place the sautéed chicken drumsticks over it.

Smoking for Aroma:

  • In a small heatproof bowl, add melted butter and place it on the rice. Heat a piece of charcoal over an open flame until it glows red-hot, then carefully position it in the bowl with butter. Immediately cover the dish and let it absorb the smoky flavor for 5-10 minutes.

Serving:

  • Remove the charcoal and discard it. Garnish the dish with dry fruits, chopped parsley, dry rose petals, a boiled egg, onion rings, and lemon wedges. Serve hot and enjoy this aromatic, flavorful Chicken Mandi!

Nutrition

Calories: 600kcal
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