Asian flavors · Poultry

Chicken Tikka Masala

Britain’s favorite dish; the classic chicken tikka masala.
This much-loved chicken curry recipe from Madhur Jaffrey features garlic, ginger, cumin and coriander

Probably created in Britain, chicken tikka masala is easily the most popular Indian curry in the UK today, and yet nobody is quite clear about its origins. It is possible that a chef in Birmingham, with too many tandoor-roasted chicken pieces (‘tikkas’) left over, decided to reheat them in a quick stir-fried curry sauce. However it originated, it is here to stay.
The tikkas need to marinate for six to eight hours, so bear that in mind when you come to make the dish. Serve it with Indian breads or rice. A black dal would go well with such a meal.

For the chicken tikka:
675g boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 inch chunks
1¼ tsp salt
3 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp peeled, finely grated root ginger
2 garlic cloves, finely grated or crushed
1 tsp ground roasted cumin
1 tsp paprika
½–¾ tsp chili powder
6 tbsp whipping cream
½ tsp garam masala
3 tbsp olive or sunflower oil

For the masala:
4 tbsp olive or sunflower oil
140 g (5oz) onions, halved and finely sliced
1 tbsp peeled, finely grated root ginger
5-6 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tbsp ground coriander
½ tsp turmeric
¾ tsp chili powder
2 tsp paprika
4 tbsp whole milk plain yoghurt
2 medium tomatoes, peeled and very finely chopped
350 ml (about 1 1/2 cups) chicken stock
¼ tsp salt, or to taste
¼ tsp garam masala
4 tbsp chopped coriander (cilantro) leaves

You will need 4 flat metal long skewers for the chicken

Start by marinating the chicken tikka. Put the chicken in a non-reactive bowl and rub in the salt and lemon juice. Prod the chicken pieces lightly with the tip of a knife and rub the seasonings in again, then set aside for 20 minutes. Add the ginger, garlic, cumin, paprika, chili powder, cream and garam masala. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate for six to eight hours (longer will not hurt).

When you’re ready to cook, make the masala: pour the 4 tablespoons of oil into a large, preferably non-stick, lidded pan and set it over a medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, put in the onions. Stir and fry until they brown, six or seven minutes. Add the ginger and garlic and continue to fry, stirring, for a minute. Add the ground coriander, turmeric, chili powder and paprika. Stir for 10 seconds, then add a tablespoon of the yoghurt. Stir and fry until it is absorbed. Add the remaining yoghurt in this way, a tablespoon at a time.

Now put in the tomatoes. Fry them for three or four minutes, or until they turn pulpy. Add the stock and salt, and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer gently for 15–20 minutes. The sauce should turn thick. Stir in the garam masala and coriander leaves, taste for balance of seasonings and add more salt if you need it.

Shortly before you eat, preheat the grill to its highest setting. Thread the chicken on to two to four skewers (the flat, sword-like ones are best). Brush with the 3 tablespoons of oil and balance the skewers on the rim of a shallow baking tray, so that the meat is suspended and does not touch the tray. Place about 13 cm (5 inches) from the source of heat and grill for six minutes on each side, or until lightly browned, cooked through and charred in places. (Cut a large piece of chicken to the centre to check there is no trace of pink.)

When the tikkas are cooked, reheat the sauce and fold in the chicken. Serve immediately.

Dairy-free · Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Poultry

Chicken Basque

This is a super and easy recipe from Delia Smith.

1 x 3½ lb (1.75 kg) chicken, jointed into 8 pieces
brown basmati rice measured to the 8 fl oz (225 ml) level in a glass measuring jug
10 fl oz (275 ml) chicken stock (or stock made from Marigold vegetable bouillon powder)
6 fl oz (170 ml) dry white wine
½ large orange, cut into wedges
1 level teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
2 oz (50 g) black olives (pitted if you prefer)
salt and freshly milled black pepper
2 large red peppers
1 very large or 2 medium onions
2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
5 oz (150 g) chorizo sausage, skinned and cut into ½ inch (1 cm) slices
2 oz (50 g) sun-dried tomatoes in oil
2 large cloves garlic, chopped
1 level tablespoon sun-dried tomato paste
½ level teaspoon hot paprika

Start by seasoning the chicken joints well with salt and pepper.

Next, slice the red peppers in half and remove the seeds and pith, then slice each half into six strips. Likewise, peel the onion and slice into strips of approximately the same size. The dried tomatoes should be drained, wiped dry with kitchen paper and then cut into ½ inch (1 cm) pieces.

Now heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in the casserole and, when it is fairly hot, add the chicken pieces – two or three at a time – and brown them to a nutty golden color on both sides. As they brown remove them to a plate lined with kitchen paper, using a draining spoon. Next add a little more oil to the casserole, with the heat slightly higher than medium. As soon as the oil is hot, add the onion and peppers and allow them to brown a little at the edges, moving them around from time to time, for about 5 minutes.

After that, add the chorizo, sun-dried tomatoes and garlic and toss these around for a minute or two until the garlic is pale golden and the chorizo has taken on some color. Next, stir in the rice and, when the grains have a good coating of oil, add the sun-dried tomato paste, paprika and chopped thyme. Pour in the stock and wine, and add some seasoning. As soon as everything has reached simmering point, turn the heat down to a gentle simmer. Add a little more seasoning, then place the chicken gently on top of everything (it’s important to keep the rice down in the liquid).

Finally, place the wedges of orange in among the chicken and scatter with the olives.

Cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook over the gentlest possible heat for about 50 minutes-1 hour or until the rice is cooked but still retains a little bite. You can also watch how to make Perfect Rice in our Cookery School Video for Long-grain Rice on this page.

Alternatively cook in a pre-heated oven at gas mark 4, 350°F (180°C), for 1 hour.

You will also need a wide, shallow, flameproof casserole with a domed lid, measuring about 9½ inches (24 cm) at the base; or, failing that, any wide flameproof casserole of 8½ pint (4.5 litre) capacity.

Gluten Free · Meat · Poultry · Rice

Celebration rice with lamb, chicken and garlic yoghurt

This warming spiced rice is a definite show-stopper, from Ottolenghi’s recipe book, OTK, Shelf Love.

“It’s the kind of meal you’d make for a special occasion. We toyed over including this recipe in the book, laborious as it is, but, in all honesty, Noor wouldn’t have it any other way. Rice, she believes, deserves to be prized and treasured – taking centre stage at many a family table – and so, make this one as a weekend project, a feast of feasts, a real cause for celebration. Yes, it takes time, but here’s a promise that it is oh-so-worth-it.”

Serves 8

Chicken:
1 whole chicken (1.4kg)
2 cinnamon sticks
1 onion, cut into 6 wedges (150g)
1 head of garlic, skin on and halved widthways
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp olive oil
1½ tbsp lemon juice
5g parsley, roughly chopped
salt and black pepper

Rice:
2 tbsp olive oil
40g unsalted butter
1 onion, finely chopped (150g)
300g minced lamb
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground allspice
400g basmati rice, washed, soaked in cold water for at least 1 hour and then drained

Garlic yoghurt:
500g Greek yoghurt
2 garlic cloves, crushed

Garnish:
50g unsalted butter
30g blanched almonds
30g pine nuts
¾ tsp Aleppo chili, or ½ tsp regular chili flakes
5g picked parsley leaves
4 tbsp pomegranate seeds

Put the chicken into a large saucepan, for which you have a lid, along with the cinnamon sticks, onion, garlic, 2 litres of water and 2 teaspoons of salt. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, for 70 minutes, or until cooked through. Lift out the chicken and, when cool enough, tear into large bite-size chunks, discarding the skin and bones. Place the chicken in a bowl with the ground cumin and cinnamon and set aside. Strain the stock through a sieve set over a large bowl, discarding the solids. Measure out 850ml and keep warm (save the remainder for another use).

For the rice, put the oil and half the butter into a large saucepan, for which you have a lid, and place on a medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for 7 minutes, stirring often, until lightly golden. Add the lamb, garlic and spices and cook for 2 minutes more, stirring often, until the lamb is no longer pink. Add the rice, 700ml of the warm stock, 1¾ teaspoons of salt and a good grind of pepper. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover with the lid and cook for 15 minutes. Take off the heat and allow to sit, covered, for 15 minutes more. Add the remaining butter and set aside.

Meanwhile, make the yoghurt sauce by whisking together the yoghurt, garlic, ¾ teaspoon of salt and the remaining 150ml of warm stock in a medium bowl.

Put 2 tablespoons of oil into a large sauté pan on a medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 5 minutes, to warm through. Remove from the heat, stir in the lemon juice and parsley and set aside.

Make the garnish by putting the butter into a small frying pan on a medium-high heat. Add the almonds and cook for 3 minutes, stirring, until lightly coloured. Add the pine nuts and cook for another 2 minutes, until golden. Remove from the heat and add the Aleppo chilli.

Spread the rice over a large, round serving platter. Top with the chicken, then pour over half the garlic yoghurt. Finish with the nuts and butter, followed by the picked parsley and pomegranate seeds. Serve the remaining yoghurt alongside.

Asian flavors · Dairy-free · Gluten Free · Poultry · Salad · Whole30 compliant

Paleo Egg Roll Bowls with Chicken {Whole30, Keto}

From the blog, Paleo Running Momma

Simple yet incredibly delicious, these Paleo Egg Roll Bowls with Chicken are bound to become a new go-to for you! An easy stir fry that tastes just like an egg roll topped with a sesame aioli that you’ll want to put on everything! Whole30 and keto friendly too.

Serves 6

Sesame aioli:
1/2 cup homemade mayo or purchased paleo mayo
2 cloves garlic minced, or 1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp sesame oil
1 1/2 tsp lime juice
3 tsp hot sauce Whole30 compliant

Egg roll bowls:
1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into pieces or strips
1 1/2 Tbsp avocado oil divided
Sea salt and pepper for the chicken
1/2 tsp onion powder
Pinch cayenne pepper optional
6-7 cups shredded veggies slaw mixture or a combination of shredded cabbage, carrots, brussels sprouts
3 tbsp coconut aminos ( or soy sauce)
1 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp hot sauce
1 bunch scallions thinly sliced white/light green and green parts separated
3 cloves garlic minced
2 tsp ginger fresh, about 1” peeled and grated or minced

Prepare aioli
Whisk together the mayo, garlic, sesame oil, lime or lemon juice, hot sauce, and cayenne, if using until smooth, refrigerate until ready to use.
stir fry the chicken and veggies:
Have all ingredients prepped and ready to go before beginning since the cooking will go fast.

Heat a large nonstick skillet or wok over high heat and add 1 Tbsp of the oil. Sprinkle the chicken with salt, pepper, onion powder, and a dash of cayenne pepper if desired.
Once skillet is smoking hot, add the chicken and cook, stirring to brown evenly, for about 5 minutes or until browned and cooked through, then remove to a plate while you cook veggies.

Lower heat to medium and add 1/2 tbsp of oil. Add the slaw/shredded veggies, cook and stir for about a minute until beginning to soften, then add the white scallions, ginger and garlic.
Cook another minute, then add the coconut aminos/soy sauce, sesame oil, and hot sauce, if using, to the skillet and stir, add the chicken back in, stir to combine well. Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onion.
Serve in bowls drizzled with the spicy aioli. Enjoy!

Dairy-free · Gluten Free · Poultry

Skillet Chicken With Turmeric and Orange

Recipe by Nargisse Benkabbou for the New York Times

This recipe is inspired by ingredients that are commonly used in Moroccan cuisine: orange and ground turmeric. The combination of both ingredients hits all the notes: savory, sweet, fragrant and lightly spiced. Enjoy this chicken with a green salad, over rice or as a filling in a sandwich.

Serves 4
½ medium onion, diced into ¼-inch pieces
5 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp honey
2 tsp dried mint
3 garlic cloves, crushed or finely chopped
1 tbsp grated orange zest (from about 2 large oranges), plus ¼ cup orange juice
1 tsp ground turmeric
¾ tsp fine sea salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

Step 1
Marinate the chicken: Place the onion, 2 tablespoons olive oil, honey, dried mint, garlic, orange zest, orange juice, turmeric, salt and black pepper in a large bowl and stir to combine. Add the chicken and turn to coat with the marinade. Cover and leave in the fridge until ready to cook or for up to 12 hours.

Step 2
When ready to cook, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large (12-inch) skillet or frying pan over medium-high and wait for the pan to become very hot. (This ensures a nice sear.)

Step 3
Add the chicken and the marinade to the pan, and cook until chicken is browned underneath and easily releases from the pan, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir the onions every now and then so that they cook evenly. If the pan looks dry, add a couple of tablespoons of water or broth to the pan to prevent the juices from drying out. Flip the chicken and cook on the other side until the chicken is cooked through, another 5 to 8 minutes. Serve immediately.

Poultry

Prosciutto-Wrapped Boursin-stuffed Chicken

This ridiculously delicious chicken dinner is surprisingly easy to prepare.

Serves 4

8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
8 good slices thinly sliced prosciutto
2 packages Boursin Cheese Spread with Garlic and Fine Herbs (You will have some leftover)
Grated rind of 2 good-sized lemons
kosher salt
fresh cracked pepper
olive oil to drizzle
¼ cup milk or cream
Garnish: chopped flat-leaf parsley or chopped fresh basil

Heat oven to 400°F.
Put the chicken between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound the chicken to an even thickness (¼ to ½ inch)
Season the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. Divide the Boursin among the chicken pieces, placing 1 tablespoon dollop on each then sprinkle each with a little grated lemon rind.

Roll the chicken around the cheese and place seam side down in a nonstick, heavy, ovenproof skillet
Wrap each chicken roll in a slice of prosciutto. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle fresh cracked pepper.
Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear.

Once done, transfer the chicken from the skillet to a dish or serving plate to rest.
Add the milk/cream to the skillet over medium-high heat, whisking until smooth.
Simmer up to 1 minute to thicken if necessary.
Serve the sauce spooned over the chicken rolls, and sprinkle over some parsley or basil.

Asian flavors · Dairy-free · Gluten Free · Poultry

Sticky miso chicken roasted on sesame butternut squash

The perfect balance of salty and sweet, miso chicken is the absolute star in this recipe. Get creative with a simple switch of veg and herbs for a tasty new spin.

Serves 4

3 lb 3 oz (1.5 kg) butternut squash, skin scrubbed and thinly sliced
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp sesame seeds, plus extra for sprinkling
sea salt flakes
scallions (green onion) thinly sliced and cilantro (coriander) leaves, to serve

Sticky miso chicken
⅓ cup white miso paste (shiro)
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp soy sauce
¼ cup mirin (Japanese rice wine)
2 tbsp firmly packed brown sugar
1 tbsp brown rice vinegar
5 oz boneless, skinless chicken thigh fillets, trimmed and halved

Preheat oven to 425F (220°C)
Place squash, oil, sesame seeds and salt in a bowl and toss to coat. Place on a large baking tray lined with non-stick baking paper. Roast the pumpkin for 20 minutes.

To make the sticky miso chicken, place the miso, oil, soy, mirin, sugar and vinegar in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Set aside until ready to use.

When the pumpkin has cooked for the 20 minutes, top the pumpkin with the miso chicken and pour over any remaining miso marinade. Roast for a further 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.

To serve, divide between plates, sprinkle with extra sesame seeds and top with green onion and coriander.

Dairy-free · Poultry

Za’atar Roast Chicken with Green Tahini Sauce

Spectacular recipe by Yotam Ottolenghi

Because of the brothy marinade, the skin won’t get as crisp as with other roast chickens, but the flesh will be so tender, you’ll want to eat it with your hands.

Serves 4

GREEN TAHINI SAUCE
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1 cup (lightly packed) flat-leaf parsley leaves with tender stems
½ cup tahini
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt
CHICKEN AND ASSEMBLY
4-5 large whole bone-in chicken legs with thigh attached
2 medium red onions, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic smashed
1 lemon, thinly sliced, seeds removed
1 tbsp ground sumac
1½ tsp ground allspice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup chicken broth
¼ cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp za’atar
2 tbsp unsalted butter
¼ cup pine nuts
6 pieces lavash or other flatbread

GREEN TAHINI SAUCE
Step 1
Pulse garlic, parsley, tahini, lemon juice, and ½ cup water in a food processor, adding more water if needed, until smooth (sauce should be the consistency of a thin mayonnaise); season with salt.

Step 2
DO AHEAD: Sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

CHICKEN AND ASSEMBLY
Step 3
Preheat oven to 400°. Toss chicken, onions, garlic, lemon, sumac, allspice, cinnamon, broth, and ¼ cup oil in a large resealable plastic bag; season with salt and pepper. Chill at least 2 hours.

Step 4
Place chicken, onions, garlic, and lemon on a rimmed baking sheet, spooning any remaining marinade over and around chicken. Sprinkle with za’atar and roast until chicken is browned and cooked through, 45–55 minutes.

Step 5
Meanwhile, melt butter in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add pine nuts and cook, stirring often, until butter foams, then browns, and nuts are golden brown (be careful not to burn), about 4 minutes; season with salt.

Step 6
Serve chicken with roasted onion and lemon, topped with pine nuts, with green tahini sauce and lavash.

Step 7
DO AHEAD: Chicken can be marinated 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.

Dairy-free · Gluten Free · Poultry

Garlic-Braised Chicken

If you don’t already buy those containers of ready-peeled garlic, then this recipe is a great reason to start. Chicken thighs, white pepper, chardonnay and 20 garlic cloves are all you need for this zinger of a one-pot meal, which braises in an hour. In that time, chicken fat, wine and water turn into a luscious sauce packed with garlicky redolence. The white pepper, musky and full of earthiness, is a key taste here, so don’t skip it.
Recipe from the New York Times

Serves 2-4

Olive oil
2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 4)
Salt
25 peeled garlic cloves
¾ tsp ground white pepper
1 cup dry chardonnay
Steamed white rice, for serving

Heat oven to 350 F
In a large Dutch oven over medium-high, add enough oil to lightly coat the bottom. Season the chicken with salt on both sides, then add to the pot skin side down. Cook until the skin turns golden and crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. If the skin browns too quickly, lower the heat. Flip, and sear the other side briefly, about 1 minute. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
Add the garlic to the schmaltzy oil over medium-high, and stir until fragrant and very lightly golden at the edges, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the white pepper, then immediately add the wine and 1 cup water.
Scrape up any stuck-on bits from the bottom of the pot while bringing the liquid to a simmer. Nestle the chicken in the pot skin side up, cover and cook in the oven until the chicken and garlic are meltingly tender, and the wine has reduced, about 1 hour. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt if needed.
Serve with rice.

Gluten Free · Poultry

Boursin-stuffed chicken wrapped in prosciutto

Such a simple and tasty dish for those summer evenings. The mozzarella makes the chicken even more cheesy and also works as the “glue” to keep the chicken from falling apart
Recipe from food blog, Delish

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 package Boursin cheese or herbed goat cheese, 4 oz.
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
4 slices prosciutto

Preheat oven to 400°F.
Using a meat tenderizer, pound the chicken until 1/4″ thick. Pat dry and liberally season it with salt and pepper on both sides. Place a spoonful or two of Boursin on one end of each piece, top with a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese, and roll the chicken up, starting at the cheese-topped end.
Wrap chicken with a slice of prosciutto and place in a baking dish seam-side down, so the prosciutto doesn’t unravel. Repeat with each piece of chicken.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear when pierced with a fork or knife.