INGREDIENTS
For the chicken marinade:
* 28 oz (800g) boneless and skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
* 1 cup plain yogurt
* 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
* 1 tablespoon ginger
* 2 teaspoons garam masala
* 1 teaspoon turmeric
* 1 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili (or 1/2 teaspoon ground red chili powder)
* 1 teaspoon of salt
For the sauce:
* 2 tablespoons of vegetable/canola oil
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 2 small onions (or 1 large onion) finely diced
* 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic finely grated
* 1 tablespoon ginger finely grated
* 1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala
* 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
* 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
* 1 teaspoon ground coriander
* 14 oz (400g) tomato puree (tomato sauce/Passata)
* 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili (optional for colour and flavour)
* 1 teaspoon ground red chili powder (adjust to your taste preference)
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 1/4 cups of heavy or thickened cream (use evaporated milk for lower calories)
* 1 teaspoon brown sugar
* 1/4 cup water if needed
* 4 tablespoons Fresh cilantro or coriander to garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
* In a bowl, combine chicken with all of the ingredients for the chicken marinade; let marinate for 10 minutes to an hour (or overnight if time allows).
* Heat oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. When sizzling, add chicken pieces in batches of two or three, making sure not to crowd the pan. Fry until browned for only 3 minutes on each side. Set aside and keep warm. (You will finish cooking the chicken in the sauce.)
* Melt the butter in the same pan. Fry the onions until soft (about 3 minutes) while scraping up any browned bits stuck on the bottom of the pan.
* Add garlic and ginger and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, then add garam masala, cumin, turmeric and coriander. Fry for about 20 seconds until fragrant, while stirring occasionally.
* Pour in the tomato puree, chili powders and salt. Let simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens and becomes a deep brown red colour.
* Stir the cream and sugar through the sauce. Add the chicken and its juices back into the pan and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thick and bubbling. Pour in the water to thin out the sauce, if needed.
* Garnish with cilantro (coriander) and serve