Description
Spicy chicken balti brings fiery Pakistani flavors dancing across your plate with authentic London-style charm. Marinated tender chicken simmered in rich aromatic spices promises a delightful culinary journey you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 225 grams (8 ounces) chicken, chunked
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons tandoori masala
- 2 teaspoons Madras curry powder
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1/2 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/2 inch ginger, grated
- 2 birds eye chillies
- 1/2 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 tomato, diced
- 2 tablespoons tomato puree
- 2 tablespoons chopped coriander
- Juice of 1/2 lime
Cooking Liquid:
- 125 milliliters (4.2 fluid ounces) water
Cooking Fat:
- 2 tablespoons rapeseed oil or ghee
Instructions
- Sauté diced onions in hot oil until translucent and golden, approximately 5-6 minutes over medium heat.
- Introduce minced garlic, grated ginger, and chopped green chillies, stirring vigorously for 40 seconds to release aromatic flavors.
- Sprinkle ground spices into the pan, quickly toasting them to enhance their depth and intensity, about 20-30 seconds.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes, diced bell peppers, and tomato puree, mixing thoroughly to create a rich, vibrant sauce.
- Gently add chicken pieces, allowing them to brown evenly on all sides, creating a caramelized exterior.
- Splash water into the pan, creating a simmering liquid that will help cook and tenderize the chicken.
- Reduce heat and let the mixture simmer for 7-9 minutes, ensuring chicken is fully cooked through and sauce thickens.
- Finish the dish by stirring in tangy vinegar, freshly chopped coriander leaves, and a squeeze of zesty lime juice.
- Transfer to a serving platter and accompany with warm naan bread or steamed basmati rice.
Notes
- Toast whole spices first to unlock deeper, richer flavors that elevate the entire dish’s complexity.
- Use chicken thighs instead of breast meat for more tender, juicy results that won’t dry out during cooking.
- Control heat levels by adjusting green chili quantities, allowing customization for mild or spicy palate preferences.
- Replace chicken with tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian version that maintains the authentic Balti sauce profile.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 176 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg