This dish was first introduced in 1965 by the Buhari Hotel, which is where the name comes from. The spicy marinated boneless chicken pieces are fried and tossed in a flavorful and spicy sauce. The hero ingredient in this recipe is the curry leaves, which give it a unique flavor. You can go the traditional route and deep fry it, or you can cook it in the Air fryer without compromising on its taste. Serve this as a starter or enjoy it as a side dish with your favorite rice.
Course Appetizer Recipes
Cuisine Indian
Keyword air fried chicken, air fryer chicken, fried chicken, indian, spicy
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time 15 minutesminutes
Additional Time 45 minutesminutes
Total Time 1 hourhour15 minutesminutes
Calories 373kcal
Author Robin Donovan
Ingredients
For the chicken
3tablespoonsrice flour
2tablespoonscornstarch
2tablespoonsyogurt
1sprig curry leaveschopped
1teaspoonminced ginger
1garlic cloveminced
1teaspoonkosher salt
1teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper
2teaspoonschili paste
1egg whiteoptional
Few drops red food coloringoptional
1poundboneless chicken thighs or chicken breastscut into bite-size pieces
For the sauce
3tablespoonsyogurt
1 ½teaspoonscornstarch
1tablespoonchili paste
½teaspoonkosher salt
1teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper
½teaspoonsugaroptional
1tablespooncooking oil
1 ½teaspoonswhole cumin seeds
3garlic clovesminced
2sprigs curry leaves
2dried red chiliescrushed or sliced
Instructions
In a large bowl, mix together the rice flour, cornstarch, yogurt, curry leaves, ginger, garlic, salt, pepper, chili paste, egg white, and food coloring, if using. Mix well. Add the chicken and toss to coat well. Cover and refrigerate for 45 to 60 minutes.
To air fry: Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 350º F. Brush the basket with little oil and arrange the chicken pieces in the basket in a single layer (cook in batches if needed to avoid crowding the basket). Brush or spritz some oil on the top of the chicken pieces. Cook for 7 minutes, flip over and cook for 5 to 7 minutes more, until the chicken is golden brown and crisp.
To deep fry: Heat about 3 inches of cooking oil in a wide, deep pot until it shimmers. Add the chicken pieces (cook in batches to avoid crowding the pot) and cook, turning once, for about 7 minutes, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a paper towel-lined plate.
While the chicken is cooking, make the sauce. In a small bowl, stir together the yogurt, cornstarch, chile paste, salt, pepper, and sugar, if using.
Heat the tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cumin seeds and garlic and cook, stirring, for about 20 seconds. Add the curry leaves and dried chiles and cook for about 30 to 40 seconds longer. Stir in the yogurt mixture and cook another minute or so to heat through.
Add the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat well in the sauce.