Lemon Chicken and Rice With Kale (from SeriousEats)

• 2 pounds chicken drumsticks
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large shallots, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon saffron threads or turmeric
• 2 teaspoons zest and 1 tablespoon fresh juice from 1 lemon
• 1 bunch curly kale, leaves cut into 1-inch ribbons, thick stems removed (about 4 cups)
• 3 cups homemade or store-bought low sodium chicken stock
• 1 ½ cups basmati or long-grain white rice

1. Season the chicken on all sides with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until lightly smoking. Add the chicken and cook until well-browned on first side, about 6 minutes, then turn and cook until browned on the second side, about 5 minutes longer. Remove with tongs and set aside.

2. Turn the heat down to medium and add the shallots, stirring so they don’t burn, until just softened, about 30 seconds. Add the cumin, lemon zest, and saffron, and stir until fragrant, another 30 seconds. Stir in the kale, then add the broth and rice and stir together. Lay the chicken carefully on top and adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, then cover and cook until the chicken and rice are done, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with the lemon juice and serve.

Chicken Pepper Fry (from SeriousEats)

 

1 pound chicken breast or thigh, skinned, legs divided into thighs and drumsticks, breasts split in half

1 tablespoon juice from about 1 lime

Kosher salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 1/2 tablespoons grated ginger, divided

2 tablespoons grated garlic, divided

1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns (or less to taste)

2 tablespoons coconut, vegetable, or canola oil

1 medium onion sliced thinly (about 1 cup)

2 small green chillis slit lengthwise

1 teaspoon ground fennel

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

10 curry leaves

1 teaspoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon sugar

1 large tomato split in half lengthwise

1/2 cup water

1. Combine chicken, lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, ground black pepper, 1 tablespoon ginger, and 1 tablespoon garlic in a large bowl and toss to coat. Transfer to a plastic bag, refrigerate, and let marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight.

2. Grind the whole peppercorns in the mortar and pestle until roughly ground. Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion, remaining 1/2 tablespoon ginger, remaining tablespoon garlic, and chillis and cook, stirring, until fragrant, taking care not to brown the onions, about 5 minutes total. Reduce heat to low. Add fennel powder, cumin powder, turmeric, and curry leaves. Stir vigorously until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Increase heat to medium. Add soy sauce, sugar, tomatoes and the marinated chicken. Fry the chicken in this flavoured oil until browned, about 10 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan if anything sticks.

3. Add water and cover. Allow the dish to cook for 10 minutes covered, Then remove the lid, increase heat to high and stir around till water has dried up totally, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt. Serve hot with rotis, dosas or with bread.