Chapli kebab is a pashtun styled flat, patty like kebab traditionally made from ground beef but you can also find variations which uses minced mutton, lamb or chicken. The one I had at the restaurant was made of chicken. The word "chapli" is derived from the pashto word "chaprdikh" or "chaprdit" which means flat hence the name. You can eat it as is with some chutney or pair with hot naan. I think this kebab will make an excellent patty for burgers.
So after trying out the delicious chapli kebab made of chicken at this restaurant, I knew that I had to give this one a try at home. Usually these kebabs are made of ground beef but instead I used minced chicken. After some online research and trial recipes at home, I think I finally have the recipe that tastes very much close to what I had in the restaurant 😊. These are fairly easy to make at home and can be served as a very delicious appetizer for parties and get togethers.
Makes around 16 - 18 medium sized kebabs
Ingredients:
1 1/2 pound ground chicken (I used chicken thigh as it makes very tender and juicy kebabs)
1 medium sized onion chopped finely (place it on a paper towel to remove any excess liquid)
1 medium sized tomatoes chopped
1 small green chili chopped
1 egg (lightly beaten)
1- 1/2 tsp of garlic grated/paste
1- 1/2 tsp of ginger grated/paste
1 - 2 tbsp of chopped cilantro/coriander leaves
Salt to taste
Oil for shallow frying
For the masala:
1 tsp of cumin seeds
1 tbsp of coriander seeds
1/2 tsp of fennel seeds
2 small black cardamoms
6 - 7 cloves
5 - 6 black peppercorns
1 tsp of crushed pomegranate seeds (anardana)
1/2 tsp of red chili powder
1 tsp of dry red chili flakes
Adjust the chili powder and chili flakes as per you liking. This recipe will make medium spicy kebabs.
1) Dry roast the cumin seeds, coriander seeds and fennel seeds for few minutes until it gives out a nice aroma. Once done set this aside to cool.
2) In a spice grinder add the roasted cumin seeds, fennel seeds, black cardamom, cloves, peppercorns and grind it to a coarse powder. Try to grind the coriander seeds separately to keep it a bit more coarser in texture than rest of the masala. And then mix it with the rest of the masala.
3) In a bowl add the minced chicken. To this add the chopped onion, green chili, ginger and garlic paste, the prepared masala, crushed pomegranate seeds, red chili powder, red chili flakes, the beaten egg, chopped cilantro and salt. Add the tomatoes later on. Mix everything together until nicely combined.
4) Let the minced chicken marinate in the masala for 1/2 hour to an hour. Add the tomatoes towards the end and mix right before you are about to make the kebabs. We are doing this so that the liquid from the tomatoes do not make the kebab mixture too mushy.
5) Heat enough oil in a wide frying pan for shallow frying the kebabs. Make sure it has a lid as these kebabs do splutter while cooking. I used a non-stick frying pan and so didn't use too much oil for frying. You know trying to be healthy and all. 😜
6) Once the oil is hot start making the kebabs. Wet your hands with very little water and take a handful of the kebab mixture place it in your palm. Press gently to make a patty and make it as flat as possible and then carefully place in the oil for shallow frying. (I usually do not make it too big and keep it medium sized. But do remember the size of the kebab will shrink after cooking. So make it as big as you want to). Also I always make one small kebab at the start and then give it taste test for seasoning.
7) Cook the kebab on a medium flame. Let the kebab cook on one side till it turns golden brown. Flip and turn the kebab to cook the other side and cook until its nicely browned and completely cooked. Use the lid to cover the pan to avoid all the splutter. Make kebabs in the same way with the rest of the mixture and once done place it on a paper towel to remove any excess oil before serving.
Serve hot with yogurt and cilantro chutney or with hot naan or buns and salad of your choice.
Do give this a try and let me know in comments below.
Till then Happy Cooking 😀.