Coriander Garlic Chicken

Serves: 2 people

Takes: 30 mins to 1 hour

This recipe is full of my two favourite ingredients; coriander and garlic. My masala is unconventional as I use chicken stock to make my sauce but you can substitute it for water, although it won't taste as good.

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Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, I like to use rapeseed
2 onions, finely chopped
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
4 bay leaves
2 teaspoons coriander seeds, roughly crushed
1 teaspoon cumin powder
2 tablespoons garlic paste or 1 large bulb garlic, finely chopped
4 fresh chillies, 2 finely chopped and 2 just stabbed with a knife
4 - 6 chicken joints, skin removed but bone left in
1 tomato, chopped
1 pint hot chicken stock (or water)
4 tablespoons fresh coriander, roughly chopped
4 tablespoons low fat plain yoghurt
salt, to taste

Method

1. In a pan gently heat the oil and saute the onions for around 10 minutes, or until they are starting to change colour.

2. Add the turmeric powder and bay leaves and saute for about a minute before stirring in the coriander seeds and cumin powder.

3. Add a little chicken stock if the masala is starting to stick and burn.

4. After around 2 minutes stir in the garlic and all the chillies.

5. Saute for a few minutes and add the chicken pieces and tomatoes. Stir well and try and get all the masala off the base of the pan.

6. Pour in the chicken stock and add half the fresh coriander.

7. Bring to a simmer before popping a lid on and leaving the chicken the cook through for 35 - 45 minutes.

8. Check the chicken is cooked through before carefully removing it from the masala and setting aside for a few mins whilst you finish off the sauce.

9. Turn the heat down to low and stir through the yoghurt. Allow it all to heat through before tasting it and adjusting the salt if needed. Remember that the chicken stock will have salt already so you may not need to add any.

10. Add the chicken back to the sauce (removed from the bone if you wish) and sprinkle over the remaining coriander (and any extra chillies if you like yours with more heat).

11. Serve with some simple Pilau Rice .