Chicken Pakora with Plum Chutney — an authentic Indian recipe that’s been one of our favorite take out dishes. The crispy chickpea battered chicken and vibrant plum chutney is irresistible!
I knew after my Spinach and Onion Pakora that I wasn’t quite done with the whole pakora thing. Once I find something I like I have to obsess over it for a while. It’s just the way I am. For those of you who say you don’t like Indian food, I hope you’re slowly changing your mind. These little chicken nuggets are tender and so delicious. Leave out the hot peppers and serve them with ketchup or ranch dressing if you’re feeding kids. And I swear the chickpea flour batter alone is reason enough to try these; you may never go back to regular flour for fried foods again.
This Plum Chutney is completely different from the Green Chutney of the other day, and yet it’s equally intense and equally as beautiful. This is more of the classic thick, sweet and tangy sauce you’re probably used to. It’s got a hot kick from the Thai chilies, a fruity sweetness from the plums, and a tang from the vinegar and limes.
You can use any plum variety you want; I used one I hadn’t seen before called Red Velvet. This would be a great use for those tiny green plums that are in the farmer’s markets right now, too. The tarter the fruit the better.
These flavors are intense and absolutely wonderful. If you can’t find the Thai chiles, use jalapeรฑos.
There are so many ways to use this chutney once you’ve devoured all the Chicken Pakora. Try it as a condiment on a cheese plate, as a glaze on pork or chicken, on a ham and cheese or turkey sandwich, or the classic way, alongside a curry.
You can see I’m still using the simple European canning method of flipping the hot just-filled jars upside down to cool and seal themselves. So far I’ve made a sweet jam, a hot pepper jam, and now a chutney using this method and they’ve all been super easy and turned out perfectly. The batch is small enough that you will go through it pretty quickly, or you can freeze it for longer storage if you like.
The Chicken for the pakora gets marinated in a mixture of spices, peppers and citrus juice, and then quick fried in the silky chickpea batter. It’s so good I can’t stop thinking of other things worthy of the pekora treatment… maybe some shrimp, definitely eggplant, and cauliflower.
Chicken Pakora with Plum Chutney
Ingredients
Plum chutney
- 2 lbs plums, pitted and rough chopped (weigh them after pitting and chopping)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 doz tiny Thai chili peppers, finely sliced (any hot pepper will do)
- 1/4 cup cider vinegar
- zest of 1 lime, finely shredded
- juice of 2 limes
pakora
for the marinade
- 1 lb chicken tenders, sliced into bite sized pieces
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced
- juice of 1 lime
- juice of 1 lemon
for the batter
- 1 cup chickpea, or garbanzo flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup warm water, (more or less)
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- To make the chutney ~ put all the chutney ingredients in a heavy pot and stir to combine well. Cover and set aside for a hour.
- Bring to a boil and boil the mixture for about 30 to 40 minutes, until reduced and thickened. You can test the mixture for doneness by dropping a bit on a very cold plate, it should jell as it cools.
- Ladle into clean jars until 1/2 inch from the top. Screw on the lids (not too tightly) and set the jars upside down to cool. Store the chutney in the refrigerator. Makes 3 half-pint jars that should last at least a month or more.
- To make the pakorah ~ Put the chicken tenders in a bowl along with 1 tsp of the garam masala, the mustard seeds, hot pepper flakes, jalapeno, and citrus juices.ย Mix well and set aside to marinate for about an hour in the refrigerator.
- Mix the chickpea flour with the baking powder, garam masala, turmeric and salt.ย Add in the warm water until it forms a thick batter.ย It should be thick enough to coat the chicken without dripping off.ย Use more or less water as necessary.
- Put the chicken mixture into the batter and blend well.
- Heat about two inches of oil in a heavy pot until it reaches about 350F.ย Scoop out the coated pieces of chicken with tongs and drop into the hot oil.ย Fry a few pieces at a time, for about 2 to 3 minutes, depending on the size of your pieces.ย They should be golden and cooked through.ย You may have to cut one open at first to determine that they are fully cooked.ย Remember they will continue to cook a bit after they are out of the pan from the residual heat.
- Drain on a paper towel.ย Serve hot with chutney on the side.
fantastic recipes! my wife shared this with me and I HAD to try the chutney. unfortunately plumbs are not available here yet so I used Mango and Habaneros. Everything else the same. WOW!!! Insane! I had about 3lbs of mango so I upped everything a little and got 5 jars. My friends at work are in for a treat!
PS. Bob’s Red Mill Garbanzo Bean Flour, 22-Ounce (1 case 4, 22oz bags) is available on Amazon for $10 Bob’s stuff is awesome, very high quality grains and mixes I use a LOT of them for things like my power balls. Just thought I would share in case anybody else is having a hard time finding some of the flower. I ordered a case that should show up Monday! I can’t wait ๐
i’m glad you led off with the chutney because that’s what excites me most of all! what a fantastic combination of flavors!
Ok, Sue. You’ve actually convinced me to try it. I just need to pick up chickpea flour when I get home next week. This sounds amazing.
Your pakora look delicious. I’m intrigued by your plum chutney. I love the colour and it’s something I will definitely try in place of my go to mango chutney!
Wow. Wow. Wow. I want it. And that chutney is just so pretty – I could just spoon feed myself that!
Im addicted to TJs mango & red pepper chutney…I need to start making more my own. I made some chutney over the fall; it was almost glorified cranberry sauce with mangoes and other fruit. I need to try your “canning” method and make chutney!
Aaaghhhh, you’re killin’ me – these look absolutely mouthwatering. And I want some badly! Both the pakoras and the chutney. I need to buy some more oil so I can get a-fryin’!
You always have the most interesting, unique recipes Sue! These both look great. Indian food in London. Ok. I could do that!
Thanks! I’m getting mixed reviews on the slideshow, but the chicken and chutney are to die for! Our first experience of great Indian food was in London, you must have access to the best.
Firstly, I LOVE your slide show!
Secondly – I’m drooling over the chicken and the plum chutney! SOOOOOOOOOOOO good!
Mary x