Chicken Achar (Punjabi Chicken Pickle)

Servings: 2
Cuisine: Indian
Course: Side Dish
Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Rate the Recipe:
Chicken Achar is my family favorite. It was a must each time we had a long journey. Often confused with achari chicken, this recipe includes ginger and garlic and can last for days.

Ingredients

  • 500 gms chicken
  • 2 cup mustard oil
  • 4 tbsp coarsely ground ginger
  • 4 tbsp coarsely ground garlic
  • 4 tbsp coarsely ground onions
  • 2 tsp red chillies powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp cumin powder (jeera)
  • 2 tbsp coriander powder (dhania)
  • 4 tbsp white vinegar
  • 1 tsp garam masala

Marinade

  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp Kashmiri red chillies
  • 1 tsp lemon juice

Instructions

  • Cut the boneless chicken into 1" pieces. You can prepare it on the bone as well, but boneless is ideal.
  • Wash the chicken. For the marination, add 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp Kashmiri red chillies powder, and 1 tsp lemon juice. Mix well and let it marinate for about an hour.
  • To fry the chicken, heat mustard oil to the smoking point. Turn off the heat and let it cool.
  • While it cools, drain the chicken to remove the excess water.
  • Heat the oil again at medium heat. Fry the chicken pieces till they are golden brown. Remove them on a plate and keep aside.
  • If you feel there is too much oil, remove a quarter cup and keep aside. You can add it back later.
  • Add in the ginger first because it takes time to cook. Then add in garlic. Cook for a minute.
  • Add in the onions. When it starts to change color, add in the dry masalas. Do not brown.
  • Add 2 tbsp red chillies powder and 1 tsp salt. Remember you have already added the salt and chillies to the marinade.
  • Add in the cumin powder and coriander powder. Mix well.
  • Add in the white vinegar.
  • Add in the fried chicken pieces and mix well. Add in the extra oil you had kept aside earlier. Mix until the chicken in well coated.
  • Add in the garam masala and mix well.
  • Although it is ready to eat, let the achar stand for about an hour so that the chicken pieces absorb the masala.

Video

Notes

  • You can make it with pork or meat too. Be sure to boil it first before frying. Adding a bit of salt to the water works wonders.


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