Chicken Masala Recipe James Martin Food

THE BEST CHICKEN MARSALA

Steps:

• Set a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet. Cut two 12-inch sheets of plastic wrap.
• Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise, making 6 roughly equal pieces; they should look like large chicken tenders. Place one sheet of plastic on a clean cutting board. Put a chicken piece in the center of the plastic and top with the other sheet of plastic. Pound the chicken with the flat side of a meat mallet, starting in the center and working your way to the edges, until the chicken is 1/4 inch thick and 6 to 8 inches long. Transfer to the wire rack. Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces. Liberally sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper.
• Mix the flour with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a generous amount of pepper in a shallow bowl or plate. Dredge the cutlets in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Heat 3 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until very hot, about 1 minute. Sear 3 cutlets until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer the cutlets to a plate. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan and sear the remaining 3 cutlets until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. It's ok if the chicken is not completely cooked through; it will finish cooking in the sauce.
• Add the mushrooms and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the same pan and cook, stirring and scraping up any browned bits, until the mushrooms are slightly softened and just beginning to release some liquid, 3 to 4 minutes. (The mushrooms will soak up the oil quickly and dry up the pan; that's ok, more liquid will release as they cook longer.) Add the shallots and cook, stirring and scraping up any browned bits, until starting to soften, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat. Pour in the wine and 1/2 cup water. Return the pan to high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the liquid reduces by a third and starts to thicken, 6 to 7 minutes. Whisk in the butter and continue whisking until it is melted and the sauce has thickened, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add the cutlets and any accumulated juices to the pan and cook, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened, about 2 minutes.
• Remove the chicken to a platter and stir the parsley into the sauce. Pour the sauce over the chicken and garnish with more parsley.

CREAMY MASALA CHICKEN

Steps:

• Put the chicken, ginger, garlic, chilli powder, coriander, lime juice and 1 tbsp of oil in a bowl. Stir, and set aside. Chop the onion, and seed and chop the chilli.
• Heat a large shallow pan. Tip in the chicken and marinade and fry for about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a pan and fry the onion and chilli for 3-4 minutes until just soft. Add the turmeric and stir fry for 1 minute. Lower the heat, pour in the cream and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
• Add the chicken and simmer for 5 minutes, or until cooked. Season and stir in the lemon juice. Serve with rice and naan bread.

JAMES MARTIN'S BUTTER CHICKEN

Steps:

• Blend the chilli powder, cumin, garam masala, coriander, 3 garlic cloves, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger and cashews to a fine purée in a food processor. Add half of the lemon juice and blitz once more until smooth. Stir in the yoghurt until well combined.
• Put the chicken breasts in a bowl and pour over the marinade, mixing to coat. Marinate in the fridge for 1 hour.
• Preheat the grill to its highest setting and place an oven shelf in the middle of the oven.
• Transfer the marinated chicken to a grill tray lined with aluminium foil. Grill for 12-15 minutes, until the marinade has browned and the chicken is just cooked through.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Add the cinnamon stick and cardamom pods and stir-fry for 1 minute, until fragrant. Add the remaining garlic, chillies and tomatoes and simmer for 4-5 minutes.
• Add the grilled chicken and cook for a further 4-5 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly and the chicken is cooked through.
• Whisk in the chilled butter a little at a time, then add the cream and simmer for another 2 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Keep warm.
• Meanwhile, make some chapatis, pile the flour onto a clean work surface and make a well in the centre. Gradually and carefully add 250ml/9fl oz cold water, pulling the flour in from the inner edges of the well to combine, until the mixture comes together as a soft dough. Knead until soft, smooth and elastic.
• Divide the dough into 4 pieces then roll each piece into a ball. Roll out the balls onto a floured work surface to form a flat disc 2-3mm thick.
• Heat a griddle pan or non-stick frying pan over a high heat until very hot. Cook the chapatis one at a time until just charred, about 20 seconds on each side. When the chapati is cooked, bubbles will form at its surface. Brush the cooked chapatis with the melted butter.
• Serve the butter chicken with the chapatis.

CHICKEN MASALA

Steps:

• Place chicken breasts and flour in zip-top bag. Shake until chicken is coated with flour. Remove from bag, shaking off excess flour and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add the chicken breasts and fry until golden brown on both sides. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
• Add the onion and garlic to the pan and cook until soft. Add the garam masala, tomatoes, soup, coconut milk, and salt and pepper to taste and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and return the chicken breasts to the pan. Simmer for 15 minutes, then add the frozen peas. Return to a simmer and cook for an addition 10 minutes.
• Serve hot with white rice.
• Cook's Note: Garam masala is a traditional Indian blend of spices and is available in the spice section of the grocery store.

CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable oil and butter in a large, lidded casserole on the hob, then add the onions and a pinch of salt. Cook for 15-20 mins until soft and golden.
• Add the tikka masala paste and peppers, then cook for 5 mins more to cook out the rawness of the spices.
• Add the chicken breasts and stir well to coat in the paste. Cook for 2 mins, then tip in the chopped tomatoes, tomato purée and 200ml water. Cover with a lid and gently simmer for 15 mins, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through.
• Remove the lid, stir through the mango chutney, double cream and natural yogurt, then gently warm through. Season, then set aside whatever you want to freeze. Will keep, in an airtight container, in the freezer for up to three months. Scatter the rest with coriander leaves and serve with basmati rice and naan bread.