When people think of South Indian food, dishes like idli, dosa, sambar, upma, appam and uttapam comes to mind first. But there is one dish that has travelled far beyond the region and found a place on menus across India is Chicken 65.
Its bright red colour, crispy coating and spicy taste have become a popular choice for snacks, starters and side dishes.
But the most interesting part may not be its taste at all. It is the mystery behind its unusual name. Why is it called Chicken 65? Does the number have something to do with the recipe? Here is the interesting story behind the origin of Chicken 65.
History
Chicken 65 was created in 1965 at Buhari Hotel in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The hotel was started by AM Buhari, who is credited with creating the iconic dish. It is said that Chicken 65 was first made as a snack for customers at the hotel.
The spicy and crispy chicken soon became popular and number 65 in the dish's name is linked to the year it was first introduced. So, Chicken 65 simply mean the dish that was created in 1965.
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The chicken was fried until crispy and mixed with Indian spices to match the local taste. The recipe was simple, but that became one of its biggest strengths. This simple combination helped the dish become popular among customers.
Today, Chicken 65 is made in many different ways by chefs across the country. Some add local spices and ingredients, while others follow their own cooking style.
How To Make Chicken 65
Making Chicken 65 at home is easy. Start by taking boneless chicken pieces in a large bowl. Add ginger garlic paste, red chilli powder, turmeric, garam masala, lemon juice, rice flour, cornflour and salt. Mix everything well.
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Cover the bowl and keep it in the refrigerator. This gives the chicken time to absorb the flavours. After that, heat the oil and carefully place the marinated chicken pieces in small batches. Fry them until they become crispy and golden brown.
You can also add a few curry leaves for extra flavour. Once the chicken is ready, take it out, place it on a paper towel to remove extra oil and serve it hot.
The original Buhari style Chicken 65 is still available at the Buhari Hotel chain. Fans of the classic dish can enjoy it for Rs 305.