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Old Delhi-style butter chicken

 

Method 1

Ingredients

800g boneless and skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

coriander leaves, finely sliced red onion, sliced green or red chilli, naan bread or basmati rice, and chutney, to serve

For the marinade

120g Greek yogurt

thumb-sized piece ginger, grated

4-5 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tbsp vegetable or coconut oil

1 lemon, juiced

3 tsp mild chilli powder

1 tsp ground cumin

½ tsp garam masala

½ tsp turmeric

For the sauce

1kg ripe vine or plum tomatoes

thumb-sized piece ginger, peeled, half grated and half finely chopped

4 garlic cloves, crushed

4 green cardamom pods

2 cloves

1 bay leaf

1-2 tsp chilli powder

80g butter, diced

2 green chillies, cut lengthways

75ml single cream, plus a drizzle to serve

5-6 dried fenugreek leaves, crushed between your fingers (optional)

1 tsp garam masala

1 tbsp sugar or xylitol

For the spiced butter (optional)

3 tbsp ghee (see below) or butter

2 tsp black mustard seeds

1 dried whole Kashmiri chilli

6-8 dried curry leaves

STEP 1

Mix all of the marinade ingredients together in a large mixing bowl with 1½ tsp salt. Add the chicken pieces and mix together until well-coated, then cover the bowl and chill for 1 hr or overnight in the fridge.

STEP 2

Heat the oven to 240C/220C fan/gas 9. Transfer the chicken pieces to a large baking tray (discard any remaining marinade), and cook for 10-15 mins. Turn the pieces after 10 mins so they colour evenly on both sides. The chicken doesn’t need to be completely cooked through at this point as it will cook for a few more mins in the sauce.

STEP 3

Meanwhile, for the sauce, slice the tomatoes in half and put in a large pan in a single layer with 125ml water, the grated ginger, garlic, cardamom, cloves and bay leaf. Simmer, covered, until the tomatoes have completely disintegrated, about 20-25 mins. Remove the whole spices and blend the tomato mixture with a stick blender, then pass it through a sieve to make a smooth purée. Return to a clean pan, add the chilli powder and simmer for 12-15 mins. It should slowly begin to thicken. When the sauce turns glossy, add the chicken pieces and any of the reserved roasting juices from the tray.

STEP 4

Slowly stir in the butter, a couple of pieces at a time, and simmer for 6-8 mins until the chicken is cooked through. Add the chopped ginger, green chillies and cream, then simmer for a min or two longer, taking care that the sauce doesn’t split. Stir in 1 tsp salt, fenugreek leaves, if using, and the garam masala, then check the seasoning, adjust if necessary, then add the sugar. In a separate pan, warm all the ingredients for the spiced butter, if using, until the seeds start to pop (see below). Spoon over the curry, scatter with the coriander, onion, chilli, and a drizzle more cream, if using. Serve with naan, pilau rice and chutney or keto bread for a keto-friendly version.

RECIPE TIPS

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS

A tarka is oil or ghee infused with spices, used to finish dishes such as dhals and curries. Whole spices are toasted and infused into the ghee to season the final dish and add a richness. To garnish with the spiced butter, heat the ingredients together over a medium heat until the seeds start to sizzle and the curry leaves turn a darker green. Spoon over the top of the curry just before serving. This also is delicious over steamed vegetables or thick lentil soups.

MAKE YOUR OWN GHEE

Ghee is clarified butter, which is great for frying as the milk solids don’t burn as they would if using normal butter. It also adds richness and a creamy texture to dishes. To make your own, simply melt butter in a pan and pour off the clear clarified, golden butter, leaving the milk solids in the pan.


Method 2

Ingredients:

- 1 kg chicken, cut into pieces

- 1 cup yogurt

- 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste

- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder

- 1 teaspoon red chili powder

- Salt to taste

- 2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)

- 2 tablespoons oil

- 1 bay leaf

- 2-3 cloves

- 2-3 green cardamom pods

- 1 cinnamon stick

- 1 large onion, finely chopped

- 2 tablespoons tomato paste

- 1 cup cream

- 2 tablespoons butter

- Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Marinate the chicken pieces in this mixture for at least 1 hour.

2. Heat ghee and oil in a pan, add bay leaf, cloves, cardamom pods, and cinnamon stick. Saute for a minute.

3. Add chopped onion and cook until golden brown.

4. Add marinated chicken and cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through.

5. Add tomato paste and cook for another 5 minutes.

6. Add cream and butter, stir well, and cook for another 5 minutes.

7. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot with naan or rice.



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