Indian-Spiced Chicken With Tomato and Cream

A rich and aromatic Indian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken legs simmered in a creamy tomato sauce with warming spices like garam masala, cumin, and cardamom. Served with potatoes and garnished with yogurt and fresh mint.

6 servings
3 hr 14 min

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter) or vegetable oil
  • 6 pieces chicken legs (drumsticks with thighs; about 3 pounds)
  • 1 to taste Kosher salt
  • 1 to taste freshly ground pepper
  • 1 medium onion
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 2 tablespoons ginger
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
  • teaspoons 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 Yukon Gold potatoes
  • ½ cup Plain yogurt
  • ¼ cup fresh mint
  • 6 pieces naan
  • 6 pieces flatbread
  • 3 cups cooked rice

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    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.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    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.

    14 min

  3. 3.

    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, 1 1/2-2 hours.

    120 min

  4. 4.

    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.

    45 min

  5. 5.

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

    5 min

  6. 6.

    DO AHEAD: Stew can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.