Chicken Vada(Meatballs)
Everyday Chicken Series - Recipe 6
If you like dal vada, you are going to love this recipe!
If you like besan chilla(puda in Maharashtra), you are going to love this recipe!
If you like chicken, …..you got the point.
Chicken Vada is a fusion recipe of Italian Meatballs, dal vada and besan chilla. Vada means patties or meatballs in some of the Indian languages. You can make this in the form of chilla(pan cakes) as well. The green masala add all the magic. Check the notes section for a variation of this recipe.
Ingredients:
1 pound chicken, boneless and minced
1 egg
3 tbsp cilantro, roughly chopped
2 green chilis, roughly chopped
10 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup onion, grated
2 tbsp sesame seeds(optional)
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp red chili powder
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 tsp black pepper powder
salt to taste
For dip:
3 tbsp mayonnaise(made with avocado oil or coconut oil)
1 tbsp tomato ketchup
1 pinch of red chili powder
salt to taste
Method:
Coarsely grind cilantro, green chili and garlic. Set this green masala aside.
In a mixing bowl, mix all the ingredients with this green masala and form lemon sized balls. Grease your hands with a little ghee for easier rolling.
Heat ghee in a skillet on a medium flame.
Pan fry the patties for about 15mins, turning half way. You can also flatten the patties to make thick, 3 inch diameter pancakes. In that case, cooking time will reduce to about 12mins but you will have to make this in batches.
Serve hot with mayo dip prepared by mixing all the dip ingredients mentioned above.
Note:
If you prefer a spicier version, use one more green chili.
You can add 2 tbsp green onions(scallions) or 1 tbsp green garlic in the green masala to make this recipe even more flavorful, esp. in winter.