Chicken 65 is a spicy, deep-fried chicken dish popular in South India, as a bar / cocktail snack.

Chicken 65

Recipe by Shoba ThyaralaCourse: StarterCuisine: South IndianDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Total time

hours

minutes

There are several theories involved in the evolution of this dish “Chicken 65”. It is generally acknowledged that no one knows which one of these anecdotal theories are correct.

The 65 in the Chicken 65 represents the year it was introduced by the famous restaurant in Chennai India called “BUHARI HOTEL”. Hence the name “Chicken 65”. They also serve Chicken 78, Chicken 82, Chicken 90 which were all introduced in those specific years.

The number 65 has the version for the number of days taken to prepare the marinade or the year of the dish’s creation. (However, 65 days of marination would mean that the chicken would start to decompose or if it were frozen then it would lose its original taste and freshness).

It is also told that the name Chicken 65 was evolved from the age of the chicken used to prepare this dish. The original recipe called for Chicken 65 was prepared using chickens which were 65 days or roughly over 2 months old. Since this is a bar-snack, young and tender fried chicken goes as a good starter with alcoholic beverages. (Skeptics of this origin argue that typically a young tender chicken is just 25-35 days old and not 65 days. At 65 days the chicken would be old and fat.)

The name Chicken 65 relates to the number of pieces the whole chicken is cut up into before cooking.

No matter whatever theory applies to this dish, it is indeed a fascinating cocktail accompaniment.

Ingredients

Marination
Boneless Chicken – ½ Kg / 1 pound
Ginger Garlic Paste – 2 tsps.
Black Pepper Powder – 1 tsp
Coriander Powder – 2 tsps.
Kashmiri Chili Powder – 5 tsps.
Cumin Powder – 2 tsps.
Turmeric – ½ tsp
Corn Flour – 4 tsp
Lemon Juice – 2 tbsps.
Egg – 1
Salt – to taste
Oil – 2-3 cups for deep frying
Seasoning
Oil – 3 tsps.
Ginger – 2 inches
Garlic – 4 cloves
Curry Leaves – 2 strands
Green Chili – 2 to 4
Onion – 1
Pepper Powder 1-2 tsps.
Salt – to taste

Directions

Cut the chicken into small bite size pieces. Marinate chicken with the items given in marinate section except the oil.
Marinate and leave it in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours or leave it overnight.
Chop the ginger garlic, onion and split open green chili and cut into 2 halves given in the seasoning section.
Heat the oil to deep fry the marinated chicken. When hot, add the chicken in batches and deep fry each batch at least for 10 minutes maximum or till when the chicken is cooked in medium flame. Stir often and cook till chicken turns crispy. Filter the excess oil by spreading it on the kitchen tissue.
Air Fryer Method
Preheat the air fryer at 360﮲ Fahrenheit or 180﮲Centigrade for 10 minutes.
Then place the marinated chicken pieces in the basket. Smear oil on top of each piece with a brush. Air fry at 360﮲ Fahrenheit for 5 minutes. Then remove the basket and then turnover the pieces. Again, smear oil on top of this side and air fry for another 5 minutes at the same temperature. Air fry further for 5- 6 minutes by flipping the pieces at 375﮲ Fahrenheit or 190﮲ Centigrade. This higher temperature will turn the pieces more crispy . Finally add the seasoning ingredients and toss with curry leaves.
Following directions are common for both types of frying
In another pan, heat oil when hot, add curry leaves and fry until it is crispy. Remove the fried curry leaves and place it separately.
With the leftover oil in it sauté the chopped onions, ginger, garlic, and green chili. Sauté till they are golden brown. Add the pepper powder.
Add the fried chicken to it. Toss them well and add the curry leaves at the end.

Notes

Air Fryer temperatures may vary slightly as per your brand and model. Please follow the instructions manual of your appliance.
The difference between the two methods of frying: the taste was similar, crispiness was same, less oil content in the air fryer method, the coating for the chicken adhered more to the deep fat fried chicken pieces. But did not make a much difference in appearance.

Chicken 65