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Pahadi chicken tikka or Hariyali chicken tikka is a simple, earthy, rustic and a classic North Indian appetizer.
The boneless chicken pieces are marinated using yogurt and a green paste made from herbs.
Pahadi chicken tikka gets its name because it comes from the people living in mountains. Mountain people use simple readily available herbs to flavor their food instead of complex spices or artificial flavoring.
This recipe uses simple ingredients like mint, coriander, chilis and hung curd.
Why did Pahadi Chicken Tikka get named Hariyali Chicken Tikka?
This herb marinade gives the chicken tikkas a refreshing green color which inadvertently named these tikkas as Hariyali Chicken Tikka. Hariyali in hindi language means greenery.
These Pahadi Chicken tikka - Hariyali Chicken Tikka are juicy, aromatic and flavorful.
Kababs and Tikkas are quintessential part of Indian cuisine and most sought after starters or appetizers in Indian restaurants.
Though Pahadi Chicken Tikka get shadowed by the other more famous tikkas like chicken malai tikka or Chicken tandoori tikka, its an equally delicious dish.
I also love experimenting with flavors and recently made my own version of chicken tikka called Butter Chicken Tikka. You can check that out too.
Why is yogurt/dahi used in Pahadi Chicken Tikka - Hariyali Chicken Tikka marinade?
Yogurt acts as meat tenderizer in this recipe. Yogurt tenderizes meat much more gently and effectively than any other ingredients.
Vinegar or lemon based marinade tend to toughen the proteins like chicken breast. Yogurt tenderizes the meat slowly making it soft and easy to cook.
How long do you need to marinate the chicken?
Well essentially you need to marinate the chicken only for 15 minutes in yogurt to see the difference.
Lactic acid from the yogurt does not have the risk of making the food mush if left for longer time unlike other acid based marinades so you can even leave it overnight to marinate.
Pahadi Chicken Tikka - Hariyali Chicken Tikka
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Lid for bowl
- Spoon
- Skewers
- Small glass / steel bowl
- Barbecue / grill / griddle / pan
- Mixer / Grinder
Ingredients
- 500 gm Boneless chicken
- 1 piece Live charcoal
- 1 teaspoon Ghee
First Marinade
- 1.5 teaspoon Red chili powder
- ½ tablespoon Garlic paste
- ½ tablespoon Ginger paste
- 1 teaspoon Lemon juice
- Salt to taste
Green Marinade
- ½ cup Coriander leaves
- ½ cup Mint leaves
- 7 cloves Garlic
- 1 inch Ginger
- 3 Green chilis
- 2-3 tablespoon Water
Final Marinade
- ⅓ cup Hung curd
- 1 tablespoon Besan
- ½ teaspoon Cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon Coriander powder
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper powder
- 1 teaspoon Garam masala
- 1 teaspoon Kasuri methi
- 1 teaspoon Ghee melted
- Salt as per taste
Instructions
- Ingredients
- Cut the Chicken in thin slices. This helps in quick and even cooking.
- If you are using the wooden skewers, now would be a good time to keep it for soaking in water.
- Marinate the chicken with the first marinade consisting of red chili powder, ginger garlic paste, lemon juice and salt. Let it rest for 15 minutes.
- Now take a mixer / grinder and add mint leaves, coriander leaves, garlic, ginger, chilis and a couple of tablespoon of water and then grind it to fine / smooth paste.
- Add this paste to the previously marinated chicken and coat it well.
- Finally add hung curd, besan, cumin powder, coriander powder, black pepper powder, salt, garam masala, kasuri methi and ghee to the chicken. Marinate it properly and let it rest for 15 minutes minimum. However I prefer letting the marinade rest overnight or at least an hour.
- Place a small bowl in between the marinated chicken.
- Heat up the Charcoal and put the hot live charcoal in the small bowl.
- Pour some ghee on top of the live charcoal and immediately place a lid on top of the marinated chicken bowl and let it smoke for 5 mins.
- Take the skewers and slide the marinated chicken onto them.
- Heat up the barbecue at 400F or heat up a pan or griddle if you don't have barbecue machine.
- Place the skewers on barbecue and let it cook for about 8 to 10 mins. Keep rotating the chicken at regular interval to avoid burning. Brush it up with melted ghee after its cooked half way through. This will give it a nice flavor as well as browning.
- If you are using a pan or griddle then once its heated brush it lightly with ghee and place the skewers on it. Cook it from all to 4 sides. Drizzle a little ghee in between if needed to avoid sticking to the pan.
- Serve them hot with a sprinkle of chat masala. Serve it with mint yogurt chutney, few fresh mint leaves, sliced onions and a wedge of lemon.
Notes
- You can use Greek yogurt instead of hung curd
- If you find the flavor of mint overpowering you can reduce some mint and replace it with coriander.
- If you want you can add 1 teaspoon Anardana powder.
- If you are grilling the chicken over real coal barbecue then you can skip the smoking process.
Hi Gomathi, I will have to work out the measurements in grams. I can try but cannot confirm.
I'm glad they turned out well. Do try some of my other recipes!
is that possible for you to give the measurement in grams? instead of cup?
Made it today for Ganesh chaturthi. Came out well. Thanks for the recipe.
Wow, I am glad you enjoyed it. Keep exploring other recipes of mine too.
Pradeep Chitre
Very crispy and neatly explained recipe.
prajakta.palkar
Thank you
Krista
This looks like a great recipe!
thehappymommie
Haryali chicken tikka is a very famous dish, and your version looks so yummy, Great going
Anna K
Shape-wise it looks just like City Chicken!
Tiana
These looked wicked tasty. Can be made on the grill which is something I love since I love the taste of grilled things. So need to try. Pinned for later
World in Eyes
Just love chicken tikka and almost tried the most of ways in which it would be made but this pahadi chicken tikka is completely new and unique for me…even though it looks so delicious and tasty one..glad you shared the recipe with us
Oscar Oganiza
Another Chicken recipe to try! Thank you for this menu. I’m gonna try it out later!
blair villanueva
Wow, what can I say? This pahadi chicken tikka looks delicious! Now I am craving for this 🙂
Nkem
Mmmm it looks really delicious. Thanks for sharing. I wonder what are the main differences in spices between north and south Indian dishes, or is it in the method of preparation?
Hannah
This looks absolutely amazing! I love Northern Indian food, my friend is so sweet and makes me dishes but I’ve never had the pahadi tiki chicken.
Marta Skeledžija
uh I like this very much. Looks delish. Will try the recipe this week end
Ramil Hinolan
Indian food are known for being spicy. This one is made from simple ingredients. It is nice to know. I think I will like this chicken barbeque variety.
John
Wow, these look insane. I will defo be trying these. Added to my recipe list! Thanks
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
I do love chicken tikka. I've never made it myself though. This sounds like a great recipe.
V bolton
Oh yummmy! I actually just sAved this recipe and I am going to try it out with my family! Thank you for sharing it with us! Giving this recipe a 5 star!
Fransic verso
These look delicious and definitely worth trying. I tried different types of chickens but not this one. Thank you for sharing!
Dominique
Yum! I love kabobs. Can these be grilled? That would give us something else to add to our big grill days? We need a good chicken dish!
prajakta.palkar
Yes you can definitely grill it. That is what I do during summer times.
Maysz
This looks delicious recipe that easily to made I would love to try cook this recipe for dinner I will save this post!
Ivan M. Jose
I love kebabs and tikkas and this is definitely a recipe that I'd be happy to try at home. Thanks for sharing this simple yet delicious recipe.
aisasami
Oooh, this looks so delicious! I like the fact you can handmake the spices and the tikka! I gotta try this!
Clarice
Wow! This looks delicious and easy to follow. Very timely since it’s my husband’s birthday next week and would love to serve something new. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Marielle Galmo
That looks very interesting and delicious. I have been looking for new recipes to cook, this will definitely be on the list.
Jasmine Martin
I have always wanted to try chicken tikka.. I am definitely going to add this to my list of foods to make at home for sure.
siennylovesdrawing
1st time got to know about this recipe & so tasty delicious, am saving this recipe for my cooking pleasure laetr. cheers, siennylovesdrawing
Khushboo
Wow it my favorite dish lovely recipe you shared
Stephanie
I also like to let my meats marinade overnight. They end up with so much more flavor once cooked! My husband loves anything we can grill so I will be trying this one out soon. It sounds delicious!
prajakta.palkar
I would love to hear back from you.
Edith Aguirre
OMG this looks amazing!!! I’m getting hungry now! Can’t wait to make it, it’s one of my favorite dishes. Thanks for sharing
prajakta.palkar
thank you, do tell me how it turned out.
Lilies Mosaic Designs
Yesss!!! I love love love Chicken Tikka, I can't wait to try out your recipe, thank you so much.
Blair villanueva
The recipe looks so good and makes me crave for these. Thanks for sharing, and for teasing us!
prajakta.palkar
thank you.