Indian-Spiced Chicken with Tomato and Cream

This issue of Bon Appetit really was great. So far, each recipe I have made has been really good, and this one did not disappoint. I used 1.5 lbs of chicken breast with 1 lb of drumsticks instead of 3 lbs of legs. I then shredded the chicken breasts when I took the bones out and it added such a nice texture. The sauce was great. As usual, I did not use the cream. I replaced it with extra tomato purée.

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter) or vegetable oil
6 chicken legs (drumsticks with thighs; about 3 lb.)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 medium onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic finely grated
2 tablespoons finely grated peeled ginger
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons garam masala
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground turmeric
½ teaspoon ground coriander
¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¾ teaspoon ground cardamom
8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
¾ cup canned tomato purée
½ cup heavy cream
1 pound small Yukon Gold potatoes, sliced ¼” thick
Plain yogurt, torn fresh mint, and naan, flatbread, or cooked rice (for serving)

PREPARATION

Heat ghee in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Working in batches, cook chicken, skin side down, until golden brown (do not turn), 8–10 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

Add onion, garlic, and ginger to pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is very soft and golden brown, 8–10 minutes. Add tomato paste, garam masala, cumin, turmeric, coriander, cayenne, and cardamom and cook, stirring often, until tomato paste is beginning to darken, about 4 minutes.
Add chicken, broth, tomato purée, and cream to pot; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, partially covered, skimming occasionally, until chicken is almost falling off the bone and liquid is slightly thickened, 1½–2 hours.

Add potatoes to pot and cook, partially covered, until potatoes are fork-tender, chicken is falling off the bone, and liquid is thick enough to coat a spoon, 30–45 minutes. Remove skin and bones from chicken, if desired, and return meat to pot; season stew with salt and pepper.

Divide stew among bowls, top with yogurt and mint, and serve with naan, flatbread, or rice.