Chicken Balti

Name: Chicken Balti
Prep time: PT0D0H0M
Cook time: PT0D0H45M
Total time: PT0D0H45M
Yield: 4–6
Ingredients: ⅓ cup vegetable oil; 1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. cumin seeds; 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. finely grated ginger, plus more, thinly sliced, for garnish; 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1¾ lb.), cut into 2-in. chunks; 8 medium tomatoes (2½ lb.), cored and finely chopped; ½ cup plain full-fat yogurt; ¼ cup tomato paste; ¼ cup dried fenugreek leaves; 2 tsp. crushed red chile flakes; 2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper; 1 tsp. ground turmeric; Kosher salt; 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter; ¼ cup fresh lemon juice; Coarsely chopped cilantro and mint leaves, for garnish; Finely chopped serrano chiles, for garnish (see footnote); Boiled basmati rice (optional)

Forget low and slow—this quick and saucy curry made with boneless breasts, ginger, and fresh tomatoes is on the table in under an hour.

Serves
4–6
Cook
45 minutes

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAM A HARRIS; FOOD STYLING BY ROSIE MACKEAN

By Ben Mervis

Published on March 2, 2023

Chicken balti is named after the wok-style pan in which it’s cooked, which literally means “bucket.” Made popular in Pakistani-owned restaurants (mainly in Bradford and Birmingham, England), the cooking style is a fast stir-fry, with balti pans set over large stoves with vertical jet flames. This chicken balti recipe, however, is well-suited to home kitchens. Note: For a milder result, seed the chiles before chopping.

Adapted from The British Cookbook by Ben Mervis (Phaidon, 2022).

Ingredients

⅓ cup vegetable oil
1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. cumin seeds
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. finely grated ginger, plus more, thinly sliced, for garnish
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1¾ lb.), cut into 2-in. chunks
8 medium tomatoes (2½ lb.), cored and finely chopped
½ cup plain full-fat yogurt
¼ cup tomato paste
¼ cup dried fenugreek leaves
2 tsp. crushed red chile flakes
2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp. ground turmeric
Kosher salt
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
Coarsely chopped cilantro and mint leaves, for garnish
Finely chopped serrano chiles, for garnish (see footnote)
Boiled basmati rice (optional)

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Instructions

Step 1

To a wok or large skillet set over medium-high heat, add the oil and cumin and cook until the seeds begin to sizzle, about 1 minute. Add the garlic and grated ginger and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds, then add the chicken (working in batches if necessary) and cook, stirring occasionally, until very lightly browned all over, about 4 minutes more.

Step 2

Stir in the tomatoes, cover, and turn the heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have released most of their liquid, 5–7 minutes. Uncover and add the yogurt and tomato paste and simmer until the oil starts to separate, about 9 minutes more.

Step 3

Add the fenugreek leaves, chile flakes, black pepper, turmeric, and salt to taste and simmer until the sauce is thick and fragrant, about 4 minutes. Stir in the butter and lemon juice, then garnish with the cilantro, mint, chiles, and sliced ginger. Serve with rice if desired.