Dipna Anand's classic makhani chicken

Dipna is proud to champion great tasting and authentic South Indian and Punjab dishes spanning vegetarian, plant-based and meat dishes.

Download Dipna Anand's makhani chicken recipe by clicking the link below. 

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Ingredients

Serves 4.

Chicken marinate:
800g chicken thighs, skinless
and boneless, diced into tikka-sized pieces
20ml olive oil
1 ½ tsp cumin powder
¼ tsp salt
1 tbsp ginger and garlic paste
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp yoghurt

Makhani sauce:
375g plum peeled tomatoes, puréed
250ml double cream
2 ½ tbsp vegetable oil
80g onion, finely chopped
45g butter
1 tbsp ginger and garlic paste
1 ½ tsp green chilli paste
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 ½ tsp cumin seeds
1 ¼ tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp red chilli powder
1 ¼ tsp coriander powder
1 tsp garam masala
3 tsp dried fenugreek leaves (kasturi methi)
2 ½ tbsp fresh chopped coriander

Adults need around 2000Kcal/8400kJ a day
Typical values per portion: Energy 497Kcal/2080kJ

Method
  1. To marinate chicken: Pre-heat oven to 175°C if using oven. In a bowl pour the olive oil onto the chicken thigh pieces together with the salt, smoked paprika, ginger and garlic paste and cumin powder, coat the chicken well in the marinade. Lay the chicken onto an oven tray and cook for 20-25 minutes until tender and cooked perfectly (do not overcook). Meanwhile start the makhani sauce.

  2. Makhani sauce method: Heat vegetable oil in a saucepan. Add the cumin seeds and once the cumin starts to sizzle add the onions to the pan, cook for 5-6 minutes on a medium to high heat until the onion are brown and caramelised.

  3. Add in the ginger and garlic paste and green chilli paste followed by the puréed tomatoes and cook for a few seconds.

  4. Add in the turmeric, red chilli powder, coriander powder and salt, mix well together and add the butter, cook for about 30 seconds and remove from the heat.

  5. Purée the sauce using a hand blender until smooth and put back on to the heat.

  6. Cook the masala sauce on a medium heat with the lid on for 5-6 minutes.

  7. Once the oil and butter starts to seep out the edges and the sauce is sizzling (the water will have dried out) add the double cream to the sauce together with the fenugreek leaves (crushed), garam masala and fresh coriander, cook for a minute or so.

  8. The chicken should now be perfectly cooked, remove from the oven, add to sauce with half of the chicken juices from the oven tray.

  9. Mix well together and cook for a final 3-4 minutes.

  10. Serve and enjoy.