Chicken Bhuna

Prep.: 1-2 hrs Cook time: 30 min to 1 hr  Serves 4

Ingredients

For the marinade

• 6 garlic cloves, finely grated or garlic paste
• 2.5cm piece fresh root ginger, peeled and finely grated
• 2 tsp mild chilli powder (or Kashmiri chilli powder)
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp ground coriander
• 2 tbsp Greek-style yoghurt
• 750g chicken 

For the bhuna

• 100g tomatoes, roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 4 tbsp vegetable oil
• 3 dried mild red chillies (or dried Kashmiri chillies), left whole
• 300g brown onions, finely chopped (about 2 medium onions)
• 1 tsp fennel seeds, coarsely crushed
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp garam masala
• salt
• chopped fresh coriander, to garnish

Method

To make the marinade:

1. Blend the garlic, ginger and a splash of water to a smooth paste in a food processor or blender. 
2. Put in a large bowl with the remaining marinade ingredients, except the chicken, and mix to combine. 
3. Add the chicken to the bowl and mix well. Leave to marinate for 1 hour, or overnight preferably.

To make the bhuna

1. Blend the tomatoes and tomato purée to a smooth paste in a food processor or blender, then set aside. 
2. Heat the oil in a non-stick kadhai or large lidded frying pan over a medium heat. 
3. Add the chillies, fry for a few seconds then add the onions. Stir well and fry gently for 25 minutes, until browned and softened. Keep stirring often to make sure they cook evenly.
4. Add the blended tomato paste, stir and fry for 5 minutes. 
5. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 6 minutes, stirring so the chicken is well coated in the masala. 
6. Season with salt, lower the heat and continue cooking with a lid on for 8 minutes until the chicken is cooked through, stirring halfway through. 
7. Add the fennel, pepper and garam masala and stir. 
8. Garnish with coriander and cook for a couple of minutes. 
9. Serve immediately.

BBC Food