Chicken In Cardamom Yogurt Sauce Recipes

CREAMY CARDAMOM CHICKEN

Steps:

• Mix the yogurt with the cornstarch and set to one side. Cut each of the chicken breasts into 3 or 4 chunky pieces.
• Lightly crush the cardamom pods so that the green husks split open, then remove the little brownish-black seeds from inside. Grind these into a fine powder with a pestle and mortar.
• Heat the oil and butter in a flameproof casserole dish, add the chicken and cook over a medium heat until lightly browned all over. Add the turmeric, cinnamon, coriander and ground cardamom seeds and cook for a further minute.
• Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the broth, grated ginger, lemon juice and the yogurt mixture. Return the pan to the heat, bring to a simmer and leave to cook gently for 15 minutes until the chicken is tender. (You can now set the dish aside until later if you wish).
• Mix the cream with the ground almonds, stir into the chicken and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Season to taste and serve, garnished with sprigs of cilantro.

BAKED CHICKEN IN CARDAMOM SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a sauté pan over medium heat; add the chicken breasts or thighs and brown for about 3 minutes per side until the chicken turns opaque.
• Remove and place the chicken in an ovenproof casserole dish or Dutch oven.
• Add the remaining oil, butter, and onion to the sauté pan; sauté until onion is wilted, about 5 minutes.
• Add the garlic, cardamom, coriander, black pepper and blanched sliced almonds; cook until the nuts are pale gold, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer the onion mixture to a blender (or food processor, but a blender will work a little better); add the yogurt or sour cream and puree until smooth.
• Season the sauce with salt to taste and pour over the chicken pieces in the casserole dish.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and juices run clear.
• Garnish with toasted almonds and serve with the sauce and rice.
• Note: if you've not made this dish before, I recommend starting with 1 teaspoon of cardamom; taste it when you season to taste with salt before pouring over the chicken to bake, and add more cardamom if you like.

CHICKEN WITH CARAMELIZED ONION AND CARDAMOM RICE

Steps:

• Put the sugar and scant 3 tablespoons water in a small saucepan and heat until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat, add the barberries, and set aside to soak. If using currants, you do not need to soak them in this way.
• Meanwhile, heat half the olive oil in a large sauté pan for which you have a lid over medium heat. Add the onion, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion has turned a deep golden brown. Transfer the onion to a small bowl and wipe the pan clean.
• Place the chicken in a large mixing bowl and season with 1½ teaspoons each salt and black pepper. Add the remaining olive oil, cardamom, cloves and cinnamon and use your hands to mix everything together well. Heat the frying pan again and place the chicken and spices in it. Sear chicken for 5 minutes on each side and remove from the pan (this is important as it part-cooks the chicken). The spices can stay in the pan, but don't worry if they stick to the chicken. Remove most of the remaining oil as well, leaving just a thin film at the bottom. Add the rice, caramelized onion, 1 teaspoon salt and plenty of black pepper. Drain the barberries and add them as well. Stir well and return the seared chicken to the pan, pushing it into the rice.
• Pour the boiling water over the rice and chicken, cover the pan, and cook over very low heat for 30 minutes. Take the pan off the heat, remove the lid, quickly place a clean tea towel over the pan, and seal again with the lid. Leave the dish undisturbed for another 10 minutes. Finally, add the herbs and use a fork to stir them in and fluff up the rice. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot or warm with yogurt mixture if you like.

CHICKEN WITH YOGURT (LABAN MAKOUD)

Steps:

• In a 4- to 5-quart saucepan, combine chicken pieces, cardamom, 1 teaspoon white pepper and 1 teaspoon salt. Add just enough cold water to cover. Place over high heat to bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, partly covered, until chicken is opaque throughout, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Using a fork, transfer chicken to a platter. Remove 2 cups broth and pour into a clean saucepan. Add yogurt and cornstarch, and place over low heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently, then add chicken and allow to thoroughly reheat for a few more minutes. Adjust salt and pepper as needed, and stir to coat chicken with sauce. Serve garnished with toasted pine nuts or almonds.