An insanely delicious butter chicken recipe, without the cream. So it's a healthier version, but with all the flavour. This will be a family favourite, guaranteed!
1lbbone-in or boneless chickenboneless chicken cut into 1 inch cubes
3.5ozof plain yoghurt
2tspgaram masala
1tspof Kashmiri chilli powderthis is how you get a red colour that turns orange, but if you cannot find this, sub it with 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
1tspof salt
Curry
1inchgingersliced
3clovesof garlicsliced or minced
3/4cupof cashewssoaked overnight
1/2a large onionsliced
1tbspof garam masala
300gof canned diced tomatoes
2tspof sugar
1tspof salt
1/4tspturmeric powder
1/2tspchilli powdermore if you like it spicy
2tbsplemon/lime juice
1/2stick of butter OR 4 tbsp vegetable oil
Cheat's Garam Masala (if you cannot find authentic garam masala powder)
1tspground cumin
1tspof ground coriander
1tspground cloves
1/2tspground cinnamon
1tspground cardamom
1tspground black pepper
1/2star of anise or 1/4 tsp ground anise seeds
Instructions
Mix the chicken with the marinade ingredients and keep it covered in the fridge overnight. Return it to room temperature before cooking.
On very high heat, heat 2 tbsp of butter and add the chicken when the butter is hot (leaving out as much of the marinade as possible - but don't discard the marinade). Let the chicken brown on one side, and only cook partially and leave it aside. (You can also do this on a broiler tray in the oven to mimic a Tandoor oven) - You can opt out of this step of browning the chicken, if you like.
Grind the cashews (without the water), onion, ginger and garlic together to form a paste. Set aside.
In a saucepan, heat 2 tbsp of butter and add all the spices, and then mix for about 10 secs till you can smell them.
Add the diced tomatoes with sugar and salt and cook on medium-high while stirring to reduce the liquid content. You want to cook out the raw tomato flavour as much as possible.
When the tomato has reduced and looks thick, add the ground cashew mix and the lemon/lime juice and colouring (if using). Stir until the gravy/sauce becomes thick and smooth.
Add the browned chicken (or the uncooked chicken if you skipped step 2) with the remaining marinade and stir through. Let it simmer (covered) for about 20-30 minutes (for big bone-in pieces) or 10-15 minutes (for 1 inch pieces). Add more water if it's too thick.
Optional - add another heaping tablespoon of yoghurt and mix it in.
Serve while hot, with some whisked yoghurt drizzled on top, and some chopped cilantro.