Chicken Makhani
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One of the things I missed most when I started the autoimmune protocol was spicy, tomatoey ethnic food–whether it was salsa, jambalaya, or tikka masala, I was devastated to think I couldn’t eat those things anymore and might not be able to ever again if reintroducing those spices, tomatoes, and peppers didn’t go well. So, naturally, once I started developing recipes, coming up with AIP-friendly versions of these was my first order of business! And not to toot my own horn, but this Chicken Makhani delivers. It’s not only quick and easy to make, but 100% Paleo and autoimmune protocol-compliant. (Of course, those of you who don’t have to follow the AIP can use regular tomato sauce and heavy cream instead of coconut milk, if you like.) Plus, it’s really, really tasty. This’ll satisfy those curry cravings, guaranteed!
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Chicken Makhani
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 small shallot diced
- 1/2 small onion diced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons ginger peeled and grated
- 1 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon ground mace
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper omit for AIP
- 1 whole bay leaf
- 1 1/4 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup no-tomato sauce
- 1 pound chicken thighs de-boned, skinned, and chopped
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, heat the oil and then cook the shallot and onion until translucent, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic, lemon, and seasonings and cook 1 minute.
- Add the coconut milk and tomato puree and stir 2 minutes.
- Add the chicken, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
Really delicious! Thanks!
This meal is definitely a keeper! When I made it, the flavor seemed a bit tame and needed some salt and more garlic, ginger, and spices. I also added some fresh chopped cilantro and it was great! This is one of those dishes that gets better in the fridge overnight. Bay leaves usually take a while to release flavor, so I think giving it more time helped!
Overall, this is a great recipe! It’s simple to make and delicious. I made this a few days ago, and I’m already planning the next time I make it!
Thanks for sharing, Laura! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe!