Wok-Seared Chicken & Vegetables (Kadhai murghi)

Wok-Seared Chicken & Vegetables (Kadhai murghi)


2 teaspoons coriander seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
3 tablespoons canola oil, divided
2 large carrots, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 large green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 small red onion, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
4 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced
3 dried red chiles, such as Thai, cayenne or chile de arbol, stemmed
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 cup firmly packed fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
Preparation:
Grind coriander, cumin and fennel seeds in a spice grinder (such as a clean coffee grinder) or a mortar and pestle until the mixture resembles coarsely ground pepper. Transfer to a medium bowl and add cornstarch, salt and turmeric; stir to combine. Add chicken and stir until coated with the spice mixture.
Preheat a wok or a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add 2 tablespoons oil. When the oil is shimmering, add carrots, bell pepper, onion, garlic and chiles. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables begin to brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Reduce heat to medium-high and add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan. Add the chicken and seasonings from the bowl and cook, stirring, until no longer pink in the middle, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the vegetables, lime juice and mint and cook until heated through, about 30 seconds.