The word Bhuna is used to describe the process where spices are fried gently to bring out their flavours. The chicken bhuna curry that I've given the recipe of below is an extension to this cooking method. The chicken is essentially added to the spices and cooks in its own juice, resulting in a deliciously strong flavour, but not much sauce.
To cook this meal allow 2 hours to prepare and 30 minutes to cook. Serves 4.
Ingredients for the curry:
4 chicken breasts, 6 tbsp plain natural yoghurt, 2 garlic cloves, 1 tsp garam masala, 1 lemon, tsp turmeric, 1 tbsp paprika, 3 cardamoms, tbsp salt, 1 tbsp ground chilli, 1 tbsp cumin, vegetable oil, olive oil, fresh coriander.
Pilau rice ingredients:
2 cups basmati rice, 1 onion, 1 clove of garlic, cinnamon stick, 2 cardamom pods, 1 tbsp fennel seeds, vegetable oil.
To cook this meal allow 2 hours to prepare and 30 minutes to cook. Serves 4.
Ingredients for the curry:
4 chicken breasts, 6 tbsp plain natural yoghurt, 2 garlic cloves, 1 tsp garam masala, 1 lemon, tsp turmeric, 1 tbsp paprika, 3 cardamoms, tbsp salt, 1 tbsp ground chilli, 1 tbsp cumin, vegetable oil, olive oil, fresh coriander.
Pilau rice ingredients:
2 cups basmati rice, 1 onion, 1 clove of garlic, cinnamon stick, 2 cardamom pods, 1 tbsp fennel seeds, vegetable oil.
Method: Preparing the Chicken
1. Prepare the spices - crush the garlic into a bowl with the garam masala, turmeric, paprika and cumin. Remove the husk from the cardamoms and add this, as well as the chilli, cumin and salt. Mix together before pouring over the yoghurt.
2. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the bowl and mix well with a wooden spoon.
3. Cut the chicken breasts into mouth-sized pieces and add to the marinade, and allow it to stand for at least two hours.
Method: The Pilau Rice
1. Put a saucepan over a medium heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Finely chop the onion and once sufficiently hot, add to the pan and fry.
2. Wash the rice with cold water and add to the pan with the onion. Crush in the garlic and add the cinnamon, fennel seeds and cardamom. Mix the rice and other ingredients well before pouring water completely over the rice. Turn up the heat.
3. Once the water comes a boil start timing - allow it to boil away for around 5 minutes. Once this time is up turn off the heat and allow it settle for 20 minutes. Put the lid on the saucepan during this time.
Method: Put the Curry Together
1. Place a frying pan over a high heat and pour in 1 tablespoon of oil. When the oil is hot add the chicken to the pan. Fry it on the heat until the chicken is cooked through.
2. Add some garam masala and coriander to the pan and continue to fry for another 30 seconds.
3. Dish the rice onto 4 warm plates, and then add the chicken. I always recommend a slice of naan bread too, and why not push the boat out and have a beer to wash it down with!
1. Prepare the spices - crush the garlic into a bowl with the garam masala, turmeric, paprika and cumin. Remove the husk from the cardamoms and add this, as well as the chilli, cumin and salt. Mix together before pouring over the yoghurt.
2. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the bowl and mix well with a wooden spoon.
3. Cut the chicken breasts into mouth-sized pieces and add to the marinade, and allow it to stand for at least two hours.
Method: The Pilau Rice
1. Put a saucepan over a medium heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Finely chop the onion and once sufficiently hot, add to the pan and fry.
2. Wash the rice with cold water and add to the pan with the onion. Crush in the garlic and add the cinnamon, fennel seeds and cardamom. Mix the rice and other ingredients well before pouring water completely over the rice. Turn up the heat.
3. Once the water comes a boil start timing - allow it to boil away for around 5 minutes. Once this time is up turn off the heat and allow it settle for 20 minutes. Put the lid on the saucepan during this time.
Method: Put the Curry Together
1. Place a frying pan over a high heat and pour in 1 tablespoon of oil. When the oil is hot add the chicken to the pan. Fry it on the heat until the chicken is cooked through.
2. Add some garam masala and coriander to the pan and continue to fry for another 30 seconds.
3. Dish the rice onto 4 warm plates, and then add the chicken. I always recommend a slice of naan bread too, and why not push the boat out and have a beer to wash it down with!
2. Wash the rice with cold water and add to the pan with the onion. Crush in the garlic and add the cinnamon, fennel seeds and cardamom. Mix the rice and other ingredients well before pouring water completely over the rice. Turn up the heat.
3. Once the water comes a boil start timing - allow it to boil away for around 5 minutes. Once this time is up turn off the heat and allow it settle for 20 minutes. Put the lid on the saucepan during this time.
Method: Put the Curry Together
1. Place a frying pan over a high heat and pour in 1 tablespoon of oil. When the oil is hot add the chicken to the pan. Fry it on the heat until the chicken is cooked through.
2. Add some garam masala and coriander to the pan and continue to fry for another 30 seconds.
3. Dish the rice onto 4 warm plates, and then add the chicken. I always recommend a slice of naan bread too, and why not push the boat out and have a beer to wash it down with!
About the Author:
3. Once the water comes a boil start timing - allow it to boil away for around 5 minutes. Once this time is up turn off the heat and allow it settle for 20 minutes. Put the lid on the saucepan during this time.
Method: Put the Curry Together
1. Place a frying pan over a high heat and pour in 1 tablespoon of oil. When the oil is hot add the chicken to the pan. Fry it on the heat until the chicken is cooked through.
2. Add some garam masala and coriander to the pan and continue to fry for another 30 seconds.
3. Dish the rice onto 4 warm plates, and then add the chicken. I always recommend a slice of naan bread too, and why not push the boat out and have a beer to wash it down with!
About the Author:
If you enjoyed this then you'll love the rest of our chicken breast recipes, including a great chicken korma recipe. Click the link to visit the website.