Skinny Indian Saffron Chicken Recipes

SKINNY INDIAN SAFFRON CHICKEN

Steps:

• In small bowl, mix hot water and saffron threads; let stand 5 minutes.
• In large bowl, beat curry powder, yogurt and cooled saffron mixture with whisk. Add chicken breasts; mix to thoroughly coat. Cover; refrigerate at least 30 minutes but no longer than 12 hours.
• Heat oven to 425° F. Line cookie sheet with foil. Spray wire rack with cooking spray; place on foil.
• In 2-quart saucepan, heat rice, broth and 1/8 teaspoon salt to boiling over high heat. Stir; cover and reduce heat to low. Cook 20 minutes. Remove from heat, add peas; cover and let stand 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, remove chicken from marinade. Place chicken on rack, sprinkle with 1/8 teaspoon salt. Bake 15 to 25 minutes or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (at least 165° F).
• Fluff rice with fork; stir in mint and chopped cilantro. Slice chicken breasts; serve on top of rice mixture. Garnish with cilantro.

SKINNY CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until golden.
• Add the crushed ginger, stir for a few minutes then add the garlic and cook another minute. Add cumin, garam masala, turmeric, chili powder, and salt; mix well until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in tomatoes, yogurt and milk. Simmer on low heat until sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.
• Add chicken and simmer for 10 - 15 minutes or until cooked through.
• Add a generous amount of chopped cilantro and serve with Bamati Rice or Naan.

INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN (CHICKEN MAKHANI)

Steps:

• Mix garam masala, tandoori masala, curry, cumin, cardamom, cayenne, salt, and black pepper together in a small bowl to make spice mixture.
• Place chicken in a large bowl and add 1/2 the spice mixture; turn to coat evenly.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken; cook and stir until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in remainder of the spice mixture, lemon juice, garlic, and ginger; cook and stir until combined, about 1 minute.
• Stir tomato puree into onion mixture and cook, stirring frequently, about 2 minutes. Pour in half-and-half and yogurt. Reduce heat to low and simmer sauce, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Blend cashews in a blender until finely ground. Add sauce to the blender; puree until smooth.
• Pour blended sauce over chicken in the skillet. Simmer until thickened, 10 to 15 minutes. Garnish with cilantro.

INDIAN CREAMY CASHEW CHICKEN WITH SAFFRON

Steps:

• Paste:
• Put all the paste ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth and set aside.
• In a heavy bottom pot heat oil or ghee on a low heat. Add whole spices and saute until they are slightly brown.
• Add paste mixture into pot with whole spices and fry until mixture is slightly browned.
• Add chicken cubes. Cover and cook over low heat until chicken is tender.
• Add ground nuts, cream and saffron. Cook further for 10 minutes until mixture is creamy and thick. Add a little water if necessary.
• Transfer into a serving dish and garnish with coriander leaves and garam masala.

CHICKEN IN SAFFRON CREAM

Steps:

• Put the saffron into a small bowl; cover with 2 tablespooons of very hot water.
• Cover tightly, let steep at least 20 minutes but preferably 2 hours.
• Drizzle one Tbs of the oil over both sides of the chicken, rubbing it in with the back of a spoon.
• In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, and coriander.
• Sprinkle the spices over the chicken; let stand 10 minutes.
• Heat the butter and remaining tablespoon of oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat; saute the chicken until lightly browned on bothsides.
• Use tongs to transfer the chicken to a plate.
• Add the shallot, ginger, garlic and nutmeg to the skillet; saute over low heat for 3 minutes.
• Add the cream and yogurt; stir until well mixed. When the cream is steaming hot, return the chicken and its juices to the skillet; spoon the sauce over the chicen.
• Cover and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is just done ( no longer pink in the center when cut into with a knife), 15 to 20 minutes.
• If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of cream or milk.
• Stir in cilantro, saffron/watter and garam masala. Adjust the salt to taste.
• WINE RECOMMENDATION:.
• Crisp, dry Rose'.

PERSIAN SAFFRON-BRAISED CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Place saffron threads into a small bowl and crush them up a bit with a spoon. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of hot water and stir. Let bloom for about 10 minutes - the water should turn bright yellow/orange. Set aside.
• Season chicken thighs on both sides with about 1 teaspoon salt and freshly cracked pepper.
• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs and sear on both sides until golden, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove and place on a plate to the side. Add onion to the same skillet and cook until soft and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and curry powder and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Pour in chicken stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and add saffron mixture. Season with remaining 1 teaspoon salt and freshly cracked pepper. Stir to combine. Return chicken thighs to the skillet, cover, and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, flipping thighs halfway through cook time. Season to taste and serve with the sauce.

SKINNY CHICKEN BIRYANI

Steps:

• In medium bowl, stir together yogurt sauce ingredients, reserving half of the mint for garnish; cover and refrigerate.
• Place chicken broth in small bowl, and add saffron threads. Set aside.
• Heat 10- to 12-inch skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add butter; heat until foaming. Add chicken; brown on all sides, 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer chicken to plate, using slotted spoon.
• Add onion and salt to same skillet. Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until translucent. Add garam masala; cook 1 minute longer or until fragrant.
• Add broth mixture, stirring first if using saffron threads. Add chicken; stir to coat. Reduce heat to medium; simmer 3 to 5 minutes longer to allow flavors to combine.
• Divide rice among 4 shallow bowls; top with chicken mixture, yogurt sauce and remaining mint.