Madras-Style Country Captain Chicken Delight
Inspired by the traditional Southern dish, this Madras-Style Country Captain Chicken Delight is a savory and aromatic slow-cooked meal that brings a burst of flavor to your dinner table. The tender bone-in chicken thighs are infused with a rich sauce made from tomatoes, chutney, and a blend of spices including the robust Madras curry powder which ensures a deep, complex flavor without the bitterness found in other curry powders. Garnish with your choice of toasted almonds, shredded coconut, diced Granny Smith apples, and diced banana for an extra touch of sweetness and texture. Serve it over a bed of fluffy steamed long-grain rice for a complete, hearty meal that serves 8 and is perfect for gatherings.
N/A
Servings
600
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
8 (excess fat trimmed (about 4 pounds))
vegetable oil
1 tablespoon
onions
2 (chopped coarse)
green bell pepper
1 (seeded and chopped coarse)
low sodium chicken broth
1 cup
diced tomatoes
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can
tomato paste
5 tablespoons
chutney (such as Major Grey's)
9 ounces
garlic cloves
4 (minced)
Madras curry powder
2 tablespoons
paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons
dried thyme
1 teaspoon
cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon
Instructions
1
Begin by seasoning the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully add the chicken thighs and brown them on both sides, which should take about 10 minutes.
2
Once browned, remove the chicken from the skillet and let it cool slightly on a plate. Discard the skin from the chicken and transfer the sauced chicken to the insert of your slow cooker.
3
In the same skillet, retain only 1 tablespoon of fat and discard the excess. Return the skillet to medium-high heat and add the chopped onions and green bell pepper along with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Sauté until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.
4
Pour in the low sodium chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any flavorful bits from the bottom of the skillet. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 2 minutes until thick and smooth.
5
Off the heat, stir in the chutney, minced garlic, Madras curry powder, paprika, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper until evenly combined.
6
Pour the flavorful sauce over the chicken thighs in the slow cooker, ensuring they are well-submerged.
7
Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low for approximately 6 hours until the chicken is tender and easily falls apart.
8
Once cooking is complete, turn off the slow cooker and carefully remove the lid. Gently stir the sauce to combine flavors, then replace the lid and let it stand for an additional 15 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken before serving.
Nutrition Information
32.5
Fat
30.625
Carbs
45
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Madras-Style Country Captain Chicken Delight?
It is a savory and aromatic slow-cooked meal inspired by traditional Southern dishes, featuring bone-in chicken thighs in a rich sauce of tomatoes, chutney, and Madras curry powder.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to serve 8 people.
What kind of chicken should I use for this recipe?
You should use 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, totaling about 4 pounds, with excess fat trimmed.
Why is Madras curry powder used instead of standard curry powder?
Madras curry powder is used for its robust, deep, and complex flavor profile which lacks the bitterness often found in other curry powders.
How long does the chicken need to cook in the slow cooker?
The chicken should be cooked on the low setting for approximately 6 hours until it is tender.
What are the recommended garnishes for this dish?
Suggested garnishes include toasted almonds, shredded coconut, diced Granny Smith apples, and diced bananas for added texture and sweetness.
How many calories are in one serving of this chicken dish?
Each serving contains approximately 600 calories.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 45 grams of protein in each serving.
Should I keep the skin on the chicken during slow cooking?
No, the instructions specify to brown the chicken with the skin on first, then discard the skin before placing the chicken into the slow cooker.
What type of chutney is recommended?
The recipe recommends using a chutney such as Major Grey's, specifically 9 ounces of it.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 32.5 grams of fat per serving.
What kind of rice should I serve with this meal?
It is best served over a bed of fluffy steamed long-grain rice.
How much Madras curry powder is required?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of Madras curry powder.
Is this recipe considered spicy?
Yes, the combination of Madras curry powder and 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper gives it a spicy profile.
What vegetables are included in the sauce?
The sauce includes two coarsely chopped onions and one coarsely chopped green bell pepper.
How much chicken broth is needed?
You will need 1 cup of low sodium chicken broth.
Why must the dish stand for 15 minutes after cooking?
Letting the dish stand for 15 minutes allows the sauce to thicken properly before serving.
What size can of tomatoes is used in the sauce?
A 14.5-ounce can of diced tomatoes is required.
How much tomato paste should be added?
The recipe calls for 5 tablespoons of tomato paste.
How long should I brown the chicken thighs?
Brown the chicken thighs for about 10 minutes, ensuring both sides are browned.
What spices are used besides curry powder?
The recipe uses 1.5 teaspoons of paprika, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, and 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
You will need 4 minced garlic cloves.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
Each serving contains 30.625 grams of carbohydrates.
How much oil is needed for browning?
One tablespoon of vegetable oil is used for browning the chicken.
Can I cook this on a high setting in the slow cooker?
The recipe specifically recommends cooking on low for 6 hours for the best results.
Is this a good meal for a large gathering?
Yes, since it serves 8 people and is a hearty, aromatic meal, it is perfect for gatherings.
Do I need to salt the chicken?
Yes, the instructions state to season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper before browning.
What should I do with the skillet after browning the chicken?
Retain 1 tablespoon of fat in the skillet to sauté the vegetables and discard the rest.
How do I incorporate the flavor from the bottom of the skillet?
Use a wooden spoon to scrape up the flavorful bits from the bottom after adding the broth and tomatoes.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 13 main ingredients used in this recipe.