Why is the chicken in Indian food so tender?

Why is the chicken in Indian food so tender? - Various traditional Indian dishes served on table in restaurant

I used to go to an Indian restaurant that had the most tender chicken I've ever had. In general, it seems like Indian curries have very tender chicken. Could somebody explain if there is a secret? Is it marinading in yogurt, the tandoor, an industrial tenderizing agent? The closest I've ever achieved is in a recipe I have where chicken is marinaded and cooked with pineapple. I know pineapple contains a protease enzyme which helps tenderize meat, and in extreme situations, will entirely dissolve shellfish proteins. Is there a spice or something that is used in Indian food that works similarly?

indian-cuisinetenderizing


Best Answer

It is a combination of the marinade (with yoghurt and lemon juice probably being the main factors in the tenderness) and the hot, fast cooking in the tandoor, further enhanced by the use of metal skewers which conduct the heat to the middle of the meat quickly. A good tandoor chef will time the cooking perfectly so that the meat is safely cooked but hasn't dried out.



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Quick Answer about "Why is the chicken in Indian food so tender?"

It is a combination of the marinade (with yoghurt and lemon juice probably being the main factors in the tenderness) and the hot, fast cooking in the tandoor, further enhanced by the use of metal skewers which conduct the heat to the middle of the meat quickly.

How do Indian restaurants make meat so tender?

1. Yogurt
  • The hallmark technique for preparing tender, juicy Indian meat dishes is to use yogurt in the marinade.
  • Preparing the lamb in a lamb biryani involves slow cooking boneless stewing lamb with spices, tomatoes, and yogurt, which keeps it tender and falling apart.


    • How do restaurants get their chicken so tender?

    There are actually a few different ways to tenderise chicken the Chinese restaurant way: marinating in a cornstarch/cornflour sludge then deep frying or blanching in water before proceeding to cook in the stir fry. egg whites \u2013 sometimes the above method is also done using egg whites. chemical tenderiser.

    What makes a tender chicken?

    Tenderizing chicken involves marinating and evening out the thickest parts of the chicken to result in a far softer, more appetizing dish. Tenderization occurs before you cook the chicken, whether you plan to grill it, heat it on a stovetop, or place it in a slow cooker or the oven.


    How to make Chicken Soft and Tender Everytime! - 3 Pro Tips



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