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birds nest recipe or kilikkoodu

Kilikoodu | Bird's Nest Recipe

Crunchy and cute little nests topped with quail eggs - these are the ultimate savory snack!
5 from 4 votes
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Course: Snacks
Cuisine: Indian
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Author :Nish Kitchen
Servings 8 nests

Ingredients

Cook chicken:

  • 200 g chicken breasts
  • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 4 cups water
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cook potatoes:

  • 2 large potatoes peeled and cut into cubes
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Nests:

  • 2 teaspoons oil
  • ½ cup chopped onions
  • 1 green chili chopped
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoons minced ginger
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • ½ teaspoon red chili powder
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 2 cups roasted vermicelli
  • Oil for deep frying
  • 8 quail eggs boiled and peeled
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

Cook chicken:

  • Place chicken in a saucepan. Pour 3-4 cups water making sure chicken is completely immersed in water.
  • Add ground turmeric and garam masala. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then immediately lower to a simmer and cook over low heat for about 10-15 minutes depending on the size of chicken, or until the juices run clear in the thickest part of the breast.
  • Remove chicken from the poaching liquid.
  • Shred the chicken into pieces. Set aside.

Cook potatoes:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add potatoes. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Add potatoes, lower heat to medium, cook for about 10-15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
  • Remove potatoes from water. Using a potato masher or fork, mash the cooked potatoes.

Make nests:

  • Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat.
  • Add onions. Sauté, stirring occasionally, for about 2-3 minutes or until soft and translucent.
  • Add green chilies, minced garlic, minced ginger, garam masala and red chili powder. Stir to combine.
  • Saute, stirring, for about one minute or until fragrant.
  • Add potatoes and chicken. Stir to combine. Season with salt.
  • Saute, stirring, for about 2-3 minutes.
  • Remove from heat. Allow the mixture to cool completely.
  • Crack eggs into a shallow bowl. Lightly whisk.
  • Place vermicelli in another shallow bowl.
  • Divide chicken into 8 small balls. Press them down lightly and make a small indent at the top to resemble nests.
  • Dip the nests in egg, and then in vermicelli, gently pressing to adhere.
  • Meanwhile, heat oil for deep frying in a medium saucepan.
  • Working one at a time, fry nests until one side is golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. Flip and continue to fry until golden brown on the other side.
  • Drain on an absorbent towel.
  • Just before serving, top the nests with eggs.

Video

Notes

  • Binding agent - If the chicken mixture fails to hold its shape, add a few tablespoons of breadcrumbs or cornstarch (corn flour).
  • Quail eggs - I used canned quail eggs in this recipe.
  • Vermicelli - They look very similar to spaghetti, and are available from the Asian section of grocery stores or your local Indian grocery store.

Nutrition

Calories: 72kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 133mg | Sodium: 85mg | Potassium: 125mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 153IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg