We love Indian food especially this simple butter chicken! It may be simple, but it is still packed with flavour and perfect for cosy winter evenings.

SERVES 4 // TOTAL TIME 55 min + marination

INGREDIENTS

For the chicken marinade

Boneless chicken fillets, sliced into short strips 4 
Plain yoghurt ¾ cup 
Garlic cloves, minced 3 
Piece ginger, grated 3 cm 
Garam masala 1 tsp 
Ground cumin 1 tsp 
Turmeric 1 tsp 
Chilli powder ½ tsp 

For the sambal

Oil 1 ½ tbsp 
Red chillies, washed & de-stemmed 200 g 
Garlic clove, minced 1 
Lime juice 1 tbsp 
Salt 2 tsp 
Brown sugar 1 tbsp 

For the curry

Oil 2 tbsp 
Onion, chopped 1 
Garlic cloves, minced 3 
Piece ginger, grated 2 cm 
Butter 2 tbsp 
Garam masala 2 tbsp 
Ground cumin 1 ½ tsp 
Turmeric ½ tsp 
Tomato paste 2 tbsp 
Tin tomatoes 1 × 400 g
Chicken stock 1 cup 
Sugar 1 tbsp 
Cream 1 cup 

To serve

Basmati rice, cooked
Roti 4 
Coriander sprigs, to garnish

METHOD

For the chicken marinade

1. Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix to coat the chicken evenly. Cover and set aside for at least 3 hours to marinate.

For the sambal

1. Place the oil in a pan over high heat. Once hot, add the chillies and garlic, then fry for 30 seconds.
2. Remove from the heat and add to a food processor with the remaining ingredients. Blend into a rough paste, then transfer to a jar and set aside.

For the curry

1. Place the oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the onion and fry for 4 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and fry for 1 min until fragrant. Add the butter, garam masala, cumin, turmeric and tomato paste. Fry for a minute, stirring well. 
2. Add the tinned tomatoes, stock and sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 20–30 min, until reduced.
3. Add the cream, chicken and marinade to the sauce and cook for 10 minutes or until the chicken is cooked. 
4. Serve in bowls with rice, warm roti, coriander and sambal.

Recipes & styling: Sjaan van der Ploeg
Styling assistant: Jezza-Rae Larsen, Kirsty Buchanan
Photography: Chanelle Naudt/hmimages.co.za

You can’t deny that curry on a cold winters day is not the absolute best! So why not ditch the usual chicken or veg and try our crab curry recipe instead!

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