QUICK WEEKNIGHT NO BUTTER BUTTER CHICKEN with perfect Basmati Rice

This Butter chicken Recipe is so quick to make and very low fat.   It is even better the next day after the flavours have had time to marry overnight.  We all crave this every so often, especially on a cold fall or winter day!

 

INGREDIENTS:

2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into 2 inch cubes
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, diced small
2 garlic gloves, minced, (approximately 1 heaping tablespoon)
1 tablespoon of fresh ginger, minced
2 tablespoons of tomato paste
1 tablespoon of Garam Masala
1 teaspoon of ground cumin
1 teaspoon of ground Tumeric
1 teaspoon of red chili flakes (optional-omit if you don't want the heat...we like it spicy!)
1 teaspoon of salt
freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon of brown sugar
1/4 cup of low fat Greek plain yogurt
1/2 cup of water
additional salt to season the raw chicken
1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
4 servings of cooked Basmati rice.  See below in the TIPS section for directions on how to cook perfect Basmati Rice.

 

This recipe serves 4.

METHOD:

Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes until onion is soft and translucent.  Then add the ginger and garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes stirring regularly.  Add the tomato paste, Garam Masala, cumin, tumeric,salt and crushed dried chilis (if using).Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. This step toasts the spices.

Salt the cubed chicken and mix into the onion-spice mixture.  Cook uncovered for 5 minutes.

Then stir in the brown sugar, water and yogurt. Cook uncovered for another 10 to 15 minutes.  Stirring occasionally. Chicken is cooked when it breaks apart easily with a fork. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro (optional) and serve.

 TIPS:

1.  HOW TO COOK PERFECT BASMATI RICE:

Using a bowl, rinse the rice with COLD water, 3 times.
Bring water to a boil in a pot. Ratio is 1 cup of rice to 1 1/2 cups of liquid (water).
Stir in the rice and salt. Bring back to a simmer. Cover the pot, turn off the heat but leave it on the same burner. Put a timer on for 15 minutes.  Uncover and fluff with a fork. It is that simple! And perfect every time.

2.  This  chicken recipe freezes well, so make a double batch and freeze in desired portion sizes.

3.  If you don't feel like making rice, this recipe is delicious with warmed Naan bread.