Your chicken needs some coffee! (and cumin)

Manoj Pandey, Partner Chef at The Piano Man shared that coffee-cumin chicken has a unique and acquired taste.

New Delhi | September 29, 2024 06:00 PM IST

3 min read

Coffee is best used as a rub and although the primary taste of coffee is lost, it adds a beautiful and subtle flavour to the dish. (Source: Pixabay)

What if we told you, your chicken just got its caffeine fix? We know pairing coffee with chicken is not the most conventional combination out there, but chefs on the Internet have been talking about this recipe for its unique burst of flavours. Does this combination work? Indianexpress.com reached out to two chefs to get their take on this dish.

Celebrity chef Ananya Banerjee said that the combination of coffee and cumin in a chicken dish might sound unusual, but it has been gaining popularity for its unique and rich flavour profile. “The bitterness of coffee pairs surprisingly well with the earthy, warm notes of cumin, creating a complex and aromatic dish.”

Chefs often highlight that the coffee adds depth and a slight smokiness, while cumin brings a savoury, slightly spicy element that complements the chicken beautifully, she added. Coffee is best used as a rub and although the primary taste of coffee is lost, it adds a beautiful and subtle flavour to the dish.

Here’s how you can make this dish:

Prepare the Rub: In a small bowl, mix together the ground coffee, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Season the Chicken: Brush the chicken breasts with olive oil. Rub the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.
Marinate: Let the chicken sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavours to meld. For a deeper flavour, you can refrigerate it for a few hours or overnight.
Cook the Chicken: Preheat your grill or a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.

Garnish with some coriander or parsley and enjoy with either rice or bread as an easy or healthy meal. (Source: Freepik)

Manoj Pandey, Partner Chef at The Piano Man shared that coffee-cumin chicken has a unique and acquired taste. “The bitterness of coffee blends well with the earthiness for a pleasant combination with cumin. Coffee generates richness around the dish, while cumin helps bring out the more food-appealing part of the dish, making it very rich. This mixing of flavours works well when garlic, onions, and spices are used alongside the ingredients,” he shared.

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In order to prepare the Coffee Cumin Chicken in-house, he offered some tweaks to the previous recipe. Pandey suggested marinating of the chicken for half an hour with the following ingredients – ground cumin, strong brewed coffee, garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and olive oil.

“Once done, place the marinated chicken on a pan and cook until golden brown and leave the chicken aside. Then in the same pan, add onions and garlic and add some more cooked coffee, cumin, and honey or sugar.” Afterwards, he recommended adding back the chicken, covering it up and letting it cook for 20 minutes. Garnish with some coriander or parsley and enjoy with either rice or bread as an easy or healthy meal.

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