Description
Chicken Malai Poppers are creamy, flavorful, bite-sized chicken snacks marinated in a rich malai (cream and yogurt) base, coated in breadcrumbs, and fried until golden and crispy. Perfect for tea-time, parties, or as appetizers.
Ingredients
- 500 g boneless chicken (cut into small bite-size cubes)
- ½ cup fresh cream
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp yogurt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
- 2–3 green chilies (finely chopped or paste)
- 1 tsp black pepper powder
- 1 tsp white pepper powder
- ½ tsp garam masala
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- 2 tbsp grated cheese (mozzarella or cheddar, optional)
- 1 egg (for coating)
- Bread crumbs or panko (for coating)
- Oil (for frying)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine chicken cubes, cream, mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, ginger garlic paste, green chilies, black pepper, white pepper, garam masala, cheese, and salt. Mix well, cover, and marinate for at least 1–2 hours or overnight for best flavor.
- Beat the egg in a bowl. Dip each marinated chicken cube in egg, then coat with breadcrumbs or panko until evenly covered.
- Heat oil in a deep pan over medium heat. Fry the coated chicken cubes in batches until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove and place on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Serve hot with garlic mayo, ketchup, or mint chutney.
Notes
- For a healthier version, bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes or air-fry at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 minutes.
- Add chili flakes or hot sauce for extra spiciness.
- Stuff a small cheese cube inside each chicken piece for a melty surprise.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in oven/air fryer, not microwave.
- You can freeze coated but uncooked poppers and fry them directly from frozen.
- For eggless version, use cornstarch slurry or milk instead of egg for coating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 1–2 hours marination)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Indian, Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (~120 g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
