Oven fried chicken with spices

I think this is a genius way to make oven friend chicken. So its fried chicken but not really because it is breaded and baked in a light layer of vegetable oil. I have to give 100% credit to Anjum Anand recipe that is in a book I ordered from London and use regulary -- It is published by the BBC and titled Indian food made easy.

It is also much healthier because it is not deep fried but the taste is still yumm. And I also removed the skin from the drumsticks and it was still so delicious. Another trick for tastiness is to use dark meat. Also chicken pieces cut at joints are always tastier than cuts without bone.

Ingredients:

Chicken: 3 drumsticks, 2 thighs (highly recommend buying fresh and in seperates versus packaged -- like at whole foods)

2 eggs beaten

Breadcrumbs 2-3 cups

Cumin, salt, pepper, garam masala

Ginger (chunk)and garlic (9 cloves)

Green chilli 3-4

Lemon juice 1

1) Marinade the Chicken:

Blend the following in food processor: Ginger 1 piece, Garlic 9 cloves, 3-4 green chillies, 1tsp salt, 1tsp garam masala (at whole foods or indian grocery store), 1/2 lemon squeezed, 2 tblsp canola/vegetable oil

Coat chicken. Marinate for 2 hours or overnite.

2) Heat oven to 425

3) Coat chicken with breadcrumbs:

Mix cumin (1/4 tsp), breadcrumbs (2 cups), salt and pepper. Dip chicken in breadcrumbs, egg and back in breadcrumbs again.

4) Pour 3 tblsp vegetable oil into roasting pan. Place breaded chicken in oil layered roasting pan. Place pan on a high shelf in oven and bake for 15 mins. Lower heat to 400 and turn chicken and cook for 15 - 25 mins or until cooked. Serve with lemon squeezed on the top.  

Idea for a side: Tomato rice: When making rice add 1/2 tomato chopped, cilantro, salt, cumin seeds, olive oil.

Mmmmm - so delicious!