No need for Indian takeaways when you can make this tandoori chicken meal with homemade spinach yogurt (raita).
Serves: 4
Costs: Cheap as chips
Ingredients
- 4 skinless chicken breasts (500g/1lb)
- Half a tub (100g) plain yogurt
- ½ tsp each ground turmeric, ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika; a little salt
- (or use 2-3tbsp Gujarat Masala curry paste)
- 1 small green chilli, deseeded and finely chopped OR ½ teaspoon chilli powder
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1tbsp peeled and finely grated fresh root ginger
- 1tbsp lemon juice
- 1tbsp vegetable oil
- 1tbsp melted butter
For the spinach yogurt
- (raita)
- 60g (2oz) fresh spinach, washed and stalks trimmed
- Half a tub (100g) plain yogurt
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
To serve
- 4 naan breads, heated through
- Lime wedges
- Tomato and onion salad (See Sue’s tip,, right)
Method
- Score each chicken breast about five times.
- Spoon the yogurt into a bowl and mix in the spices, chilli, garlic, ginger, lemon juice and oil to make a smooth paste. Spread this all over the chicken breasts. Leave to marinate at least 30 mins or, for a richer flavour, overnight.
- Set the oven to gas mark 8 or 230°C. Place the chicken, scored side up, in an oiled roasting tin. Drizzle with butter and bake for 20-25 mins. Or grill it for the same amount of time.
- To make the spinach raita: Cook spinach, in a covered pan, for 3-5 mins until wilted (no extra water needed). Stir occasionally. Drain and squeeze out water. Whisk yogurt, garlic and seasoning until smooth. Stir in spinach, and chill.
- Serve the chicken garnished with lime wedges, the spinach raita, warmed naan bread, and tomato and onion salad. (Not suitable for freezing).
Feature: Kate Moseley. Photos: David Jordan. Props stylist: Sue Radcliffe
Nutritional information per portion
fat 30.0g saturates 7.0g calories 791(kcal)
This nutritional information is only a guide and is based on 2,000 calories per day. For more information on eating a healthy diet, please visit the Food Standards Agency website.
Guideline Daily Amount for 2,000 calories per day are: 70g fat, 20g saturated fat, 90g sugar, 6g salt.
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