These Chicken Chatpata Bites are my family’s latest obsession. Crispy, tangy, spicy, and full of bold flavors, this is one of the most versatile chicken dishes out there!
The inspiration for this recipe was the chicken in mine chatpata dahi chicken curry. The spicy, bold, spicy flavors of the dish had me dreaming for days. That’s how delicious these chicken chatpata bites are.
They’re really easy to make – marinate, air fry, garnish and you’re done. These Chatpata Chicken Bites take no more than 30 minutes to put together (not including the marinating time), and it’s such a simple recipe that you’ll want to make it again and again! And the best part? These Deep Fryer Chicken Bites are super versatile and easy to serve. Eat them as a 5pm snack, add them to wraps or sandwiches, or eat them as a protein-rich side dish to your main meal, it works every time!
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Ingredients for Chicken Bites
Chicken: I have used boneless chicken thighs and I recommend you use them as well. Breast pieces tend to become dry, tough and chewy due to high temperatures, thus affecting the resulting texture
Yogurt: It helps tenderize the chicken and adds a creamy, tangy flavor to every bite
Scents: Crushed ginger and garlic in the marinade add flavor and aroma, while thinly sliced onions and chopped green chilies add extra texture and slight heat
Spices: Red chilli flakes, cumin powder, meat masala, Kashmiri red chilli powder, ground black pepper and salt add a lot of flavor
Oil: For air frying. I used mustard oil because I love the sharp, smoky flavor. But any oil with a neutral aroma and high smoke point can be used
Chaat Masala: It is a hot spice powder that packs a lot of flavor and is responsible for it the chatpata or delicious flavor in these chicken nuggets. I highly recommend not to miss it. You can easily find chaat masala both online and in stores in India and every Indian store outside India should also carry it
coriander leaves: For garnish. It adds a beautiful earthy freshness to the whole dish
Frequently asked questions
This recipe works very well with paneer, extra-firm tofu, mushrooms or soy chap. Simply replace the chicken with an equal amount of your preferred protein, keeping the marinade and seasonings the same. Since these ingredients cook faster than the chicken, reduce the air fry time 8-10 minutesby shaking the basket halfway through. The paneer and soy chaap are especially delicious here because they soak up all the flavors of the chatpa beautifully while remaining soft and juicy on the inside.
If you don’t have meat masala, use garam masala instead. The taste will be slightly different, so you may need to adjust the salt as different spice mixes contain different amounts of salt.
Yes you can, but chicken thighs are more forgiving and stay juicy in the fryer. If using chicken breasts, reduce the cooking time by 1-2 minutes and keep an eye on it so the chicken doesn’t dry out.
Yes, definitely! Cook them in a hot pan or skillet over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and lightly charred. You can also bake them at 220°C (425°F) for 15-18 minutes.
Richa’s best tips
- Substitute chaat and/or meat masala with garam masala: Works great in a pinch! The taste will be a little different, but still really delicious.
- Do not overfill the air fryer basket: And don’t forget to place the chicken pieces in a single layer with enough space between them. Cook in batches if necessary to ensure even browning and prevent soggy pieces.
- Adjust the salt based on your meat masala: Since some brands can be quite salty, taste and adjust accordingly rather than adding extra salt beforehand.
- Cut the onion very finely: The thin onions soften the heat of the chicken slightly and add a lovely crunch without overpowering the dish.
- Mix everything while the chicken is still hot: Adding onions, green chillies, coriander and chat masala immediately after cooking helps all the flavors to blend beautifully.
Storage Tips
- Cool down: Store leftover chatpata chicken nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator until 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze the fried chicken (without the fresh toppings) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating in an air fryer: Reheat at 180°C for 3-4 minutes until it heats up. This helps restore the crisp edges.
- Avoid storing fresh toppings: Store onions, green chillies and coriander separately. Add them just before serving to keep them fresh and crunchy.
Serving ideas
- With your favorite dip: Mint Coriander Chutney, tomato ketchup, mayonnaiseor a yogurt dip they work really well with these chatpata deep fryer chicken nuggets.
- As a party: Add loads of flavor (and protein) to a carb-heavy meal pulao or Jeera rice.
- Use as filling: Toss them in sandwiches, wraps, rolls or salads with lettuce, chopped greens and your choice of dressing for a deliciously addictive yet healthy meal.
These chicken chatpata bites are juicy, spicy, tangy and packed with bold flavor. They are everything you want in a quick breakfast! However you serve them, I guarantee they will become regulars on your menu. If you make this recipe DM me your photos or tag me in stories on my IG @my_foodstory ❤️
Watch Chatpata Chicken Bites Recipe Video
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Marinating chicken
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Take the chicken and all the marinating ingredients listed in a bowl, mix well and set aside to marinate for 30 minutes.
450 grams of boneless chicken thighs, 1 tablespoon cottage cheese or Greek yogurt, 8 cloves of garlic, ½ inch ginger, 1 teaspoon red chili peppers, 1 teaspoon cumin powder, 1 teaspoon meat masala, 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cracked pepper
Air fryer chicken
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Add marinated chicken to fryer basket, spray with 2-3 teaspoons of oil, air fry for 7 minutes. Shake the basket well, spread with 2-3 teaspoons of butter and air fry for 5 minutes.
2 tablespoons of mustard oil
To serve
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When the chicken is still hot, transfer to a bowl, add chopped onions, green chillies, finely chopped coriander leaves, sprinkle chat masala, mix well and serve hot.
½ cup finely chopped onion, 2 green chilies, 2 tablespoons finely chopped coriander leaves, 1 teaspoon chat masala
- The meat masala I use has a lot of salt in it, so ¼ teaspoon of salt is enough in the recipe. You may need to adjust the salt according to the meat masala you are using.
Calories: 349kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 20g, fats: 27g, Saturated fats: 6g, Polyunsaturated fats: 6g, Monounsaturated fats: 12g, Trans fats: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 110mg, sodium: 337mg, potassium: 332mg, Fibers: 2g, sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 553IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, calcium: 40mg, Iron: 2mg
This article was researched and written by Urvi Dalal.
