Two popular and versatile ingredients; lemon and pepper go hand in hand. Both used in enhancing and elevating a dish. One adds tart and the other heat balancing the flavour. When combined with chicken along with different spices, the outcome is truly delicious. Lemon pepper chicken is easy to prepare and ready in minutes. Served with lemon rice and raita, a family favourite!!!
Lemon is a good source of Vitamin C improving skin and hair quality. Boosts energy and immunity system. Aids in digestion and relief from constipation. Contains potassium, controlling high blood pressure, calming the mind and body. Presence of polyphenols helps in weight loss and reduces body fat accumulation. Acts as a breath freshener and in treatment of dental issues. It has antibacterial and antiseptic properties. An excellent fruit with various health benefits.
Black pepper is called “The King of Spices”. One of the widely used spice in the world and a natural companion to salt for basic seasonings. Helps promote and maintain weight loss. Boosts metabolism and aids in digestion. Low in sodium and promotes cardiovascular health. Improves digestion, stimulating digestive juices and enzymes. Relieves cold and cough. Treats teeth, gum and skin problems. Combats arthritis and relieves muscle pain. Reduces risk of cancer and liver ailments. An important spice that can be found in every kitchen cabinet.
Lemon is a good source of Vitamin C improving skin and hair quality. Boosts energy and immunity system. Aids in digestion and relief from constipation. Contains potassium, controlling high blood pressure, calming the mind and body. Presence of polyphenols helps in weight loss and reduces body fat accumulation. Acts as a breath freshener and in treatment of dental issues. It has antibacterial and antiseptic properties. An excellent fruit with various health benefits.
Black pepper is called “The King of Spices”. One of the widely used spice in the world and a natural companion to salt for basic seasonings. Helps promote and maintain weight loss. Boosts metabolism and aids in digestion. Low in sodium and promotes cardiovascular health. Improves digestion, stimulating digestive juices and enzymes. Relieves cold and cough. Treats teeth, gum and skin problems. Combats arthritis and relieves muscle pain. Reduces risk of cancer and liver ailments. An important spice that can be found in every kitchen cabinet.
Lemon Pepper Chicken
(Serves 6)
Ingredients:
1 kg whole chicken
1 large onion (chopped)
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 sprig of curry leaves
4 small dried red chillies
1 teaspoon fennel powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 bay leaf
1 cinnamon stick (1.5-inch)
6 cloves
4 green cardamoms
4 large cloves of garlic (chopped)
1-inch ginger (grated)
2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns (freshly crushed)
1 lemon
1/2 cup water
few coriander leaves (choppped)
a pinch of sugar
2 tablespoons oil
salt
Method:
Deskin chicken and cut into pieces. Wash chicken pieces and season with salt.
Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves and red chillies. Once seeds start to splutter, saute the onion, garlic and ginger until soft. Stir in the bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamoms, turmeric powder, fennel powder, coriander powder and 1 teaspoon of crushed peppercorns. When spices are combined and fried well, mix in the chicken and water. Cover, cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally until tender and all the liquid has been absorbed.
Sprinkle lemon juice and balance 1 teaspoon of crushed peppercorns. Check for seasonings, add sugar and salt.
Serve hot garnished with coriander leaves.
Note:
(Serves 6)
Ingredients:
1 kg whole chicken
1 large onion (chopped)
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 sprig of curry leaves
4 small dried red chillies
1 teaspoon fennel powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 bay leaf
1 cinnamon stick (1.5-inch)
6 cloves
4 green cardamoms
4 large cloves of garlic (chopped)
1-inch ginger (grated)
2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns (freshly crushed)
1 lemon
1/2 cup water
few coriander leaves (choppped)
a pinch of sugar
2 tablespoons oil
salt
Method:
Deskin chicken and cut into pieces. Wash chicken pieces and season with salt.
Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves and red chillies. Once seeds start to splutter, saute the onion, garlic and ginger until soft. Stir in the bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamoms, turmeric powder, fennel powder, coriander powder and 1 teaspoon of crushed peppercorns. When spices are combined and fried well, mix in the chicken and water. Cover, cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally until tender and all the liquid has been absorbed.
Sprinkle lemon juice and balance 1 teaspoon of crushed peppercorns. Check for seasonings, add sugar and salt.
Serve hot garnished with coriander leaves.
Note:
- Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or as desired.
- Recipe for lemon rice, click here.
- I used a whole chicken of 1 1/2 kg, reserving and freezing the backbone for soup stock.
