Achari Murgh
Chicken marinated and cooked in pickling spices — the distinctive achari masala of mustard seeds, fennel, nigella (kalonji), fenugreek seeds, and dried red chilli tempered in mustard oil until they pop and release their sharp, pungent, slightly bitter depth, then chicken and yogurt added to build a semi-dry, tangy gravy. The achari flavour profile is one of the most distinctively Punjabi taste signatures: the same spice blend used to make mango pickles applied to a chicken preparation, creating a dish that bridges the worlds of pickling and cooking. Served at Punjabi family meals and dhaba restaurants across the state.
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Build a full meal around Achari Murgh
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Recipe
Ingredients
|
500 grams | Chicken , cut into pieces |
|
2 tablespoons | Mustard oil |
|
1 teaspoon | Cumin , seeds |
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1 teaspoon | Fennel Seed |
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1 teaspoon | Nigella Seed |
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1 teaspoon | Fenugreek Seed |
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1 teaspoon | Mustard Seed |
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1 cup | Yogurt |
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2 tablespoons | Ginger-garlic paste |
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2 teaspoons | Red chili powder |
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1 teaspoon | Turmeric powder |
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1 teaspoon | Garam masala |
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2 tablespoons | Lemon juice |
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— | Salt , to taste |
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2 tablespoons | Pickle Masala , from any Indian pickle |
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2 | Green Chili , slit |
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1 | Onion , large, finely chopped |
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2 tablespoons | Cilantro , chopped |
Instructions
- 1 In a bowl, mix yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, lemon juice, and salt. Add chicken pieces and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- 2 Heat mustard oil in a pan until it reaches smoking point, then reduce the heat.
- 3 Add cumin seeds, fennel seeds, nigella seeds, fenugreek seeds, and mustard seeds. Let them splutter.
- 4 Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
- 5 Add the marinated chicken to the pan and cook on medium heat until the chicken is no longer pink.
- 6 Add pickle masala and slit green chilies. Mix well.
- 7 Cover and cook on low heat for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the oil separates.
- 8 Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot.
Tips
For a more authentic flavor, use homemade pickle masala.