Creamy Balti Chicken Delight
Indulge in the rich, creamy flavors of this Creamy Balti Chicken Delight, a favorite in many households. This dish features succulent, skinless chicken breasts marinated in a yogurt and almond mixture, enhanced by a symphony of aromatic spices. The addition of ground almonds and single cream gives this dish its luxurious texture and unique taste. Perfect for special occasions or a comforting weeknight dinner, this recipe is sure to become a repeat success. Serve it alongside naan or rice to soak up the mouthwatering sauce, and watch as it disappears from your table!
4-6 servings
Servings
267
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
skinless chicken breasts
2.5 lbs (cubed)
plain yogurt
5 fluid ounces (none)
ground almonds
2 ounces (none)
chili powder
1.5 teaspoons (none)
bay leaves
2 (crumpled up)
ground cloves
0.25 teaspoon (none)
ground cinnamon
0.25 teaspoon (none)
garam masala
1 teaspoon (none)
green cardamoms
4 (none)
fresh gingerroot
1 teaspoon (chopped)
garlic clove
1 (crushed)
canned tomatoes
14 ounces (none)
salt
1.5 teaspoons (none)
butter
6 tablespoons (none)
oil
1 tablespoon (none)
onions
2 (sliced)
single cream
4 tablespoons (none)
fresh coriander leaves
2 tablespoons (optional)
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, combine the plain yogurt, ground almonds, chili powder, crumpled bay leaves, ground cloves, ground cinnamon, garam masala, chopped fresh ginger, crushed garlic, canned tomatoes, and salt. Blend until smooth to create a fragrant marinade.
2
Add the cubed chicken to the marinade, ensuring that each piece is well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for maximum flavor.
3
In a large wok or deep frying pan, heat the butter and oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté for about 3 minutes until they turn golden and aromatic.
4
Remove the marinated chicken from the refrigerator and add it to the wok. Stir-fry the chicken along with the marinade for about 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and absorbs the flavors.
5
If using, stir in half of the fresh coriander leaves at this stage for added aroma and freshness.
6
Pour in the single cream, stirring gently to combine. Allow the mixture to simmer for an additional 5 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.
7
Serve hot, garnished with the remaining coriander leaves for a fresh touch. Enjoy this dish with naan or steamed rice.
Nutrition Information
18g
Fat
6.7g
Carbs
21.7g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Balti Chicken Delight?
It is a rich, creamy Indian-inspired dish featuring chicken marinated in yogurt and ground almonds, flavored with aromatic spices like garam masala and cinnamon.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 4 to 6 servings.
What are the main ingredients for the marinade?
The marinade consists of plain yogurt, ground almonds, chili powder, bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, garam masala, ginger, garlic, tomatoes, and salt.
How long should I marinate the chicken?
The chicken should be marinated for at least 1 hour, or overnight for maximum flavor absorption.
What kind of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2.5 lbs of skinless chicken breasts, cubed into bite-sized pieces.
How many calories are in a serving of Creamy Balti Chicken?
Each serving contains approximately 267 calories.
Is this dish high in protein?
Yes, it contains about 21.7g of protein per serving.
What gives the sauce its thick and creamy texture?
The combination of ground almonds and 4 tablespoons of single cream creates a luxurious and thick sauce.
How do I prepare the onions?
Slice two onions and sauté them in a mixture of butter and oil for about 3 minutes until golden and aromatic.
What is the fat content of this recipe?
There are 18g of fat per serving in this dish.
Can I add fresh coriander to this dish?
Yes, you can stir in half of the fresh coriander during cooking and use the rest as a garnish.
How long does the chicken need to cook in the wok?
Stir-fry the marinated chicken for approximately 10 minutes until it is cooked through.
What side dishes go well with Balti Chicken?
This dish is best served with naan bread or steamed rice to soak up the sauce.
What type of yogurt should I use?
The recipe specifies using 5 fluid ounces of plain yogurt.
Are there any whole spices in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes 4 green cardamoms and 2 crumpled bay leaves.
Is there any sugar or fiber information available?
The data for fiber and sugar content is currently not specified for this recipe.
How much butter and oil is used?
The recipe uses 6 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of oil for sautéing.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
There are approximately 6.7g of carbohydrates per serving.
How should I prepare the garlic and ginger?
The ginger should be chopped and the garlic clove should be crushed before being added to the marinade.
What kind of tomatoes are used?
The recipe uses one 14-ounce can of tomatoes.
Can I adjust the spiciness?
Yes, you can adjust the 1.5 teaspoons of chili powder to suit your heat preference.
At what stage is the single cream added?
The single cream is added after the chicken has been cooked, just before the final 5-minute simmer.
Does this recipe contain nuts?
Yes, it contains 2 ounces of ground almonds, which are essential for the texture and flavor.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 18 ingredients used in this recipe.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
While the recipe calls for breasts, you can substitute them with skinless, boneless chicken thighs for a juicier texture.
What are the common tags for this recipe?
Common tags include balti, chicken, indian cuisine, comfort food, and curry.
How do I make the marinade smooth?
Blend the yogurt, almonds, tomatoes, and spices together in a mixing bowl until the mixture is a smooth consistency.
Is the coriander mandatory?
No, the fresh coriander leaves are listed as optional for garnish and aroma.
What is the purpose of the bay leaves?
Crumpled bay leaves are used to infuse the marinade with a subtle herbal fragrance.
Can I make this dish in a frying pan?
Yes, if you do not have a wok, a deep frying pan will work perfectly for this recipe.