HOW TO MAKE IT

This dish is basically about marinating and roasting a whole chicken in delicious, fresh Tandoori spices. Whilst it is very important to make sure the chicken is fully cooked, don’t get too worried if this is your first time roasting a chicken, simply follow the instructions below and enjoy!

HOW TO MAKE YOUR MEAL:

1. Preheat your oven to 180ºC or Gas Mk 4.
2. Spike the chicken with a skewer, knitting needle or small knife and cut the loose skin between the legs and body of the bird. This is to give the marinade the best chance of fully flavouring the bird.
3. In a bowl, combine all the remaining ingredients into a paste.
4. Gently coat the bird all over with the marinade, not forgetting to also coat the cavity of the bird with a little of the marinade (for increased flavour).
5. Place in a roasting dish and cover with foil or ‘wetted’ greaseproof paper.

IF YOU HAVE TIME, POP INTO THE FRIDGE OVERNIGHT OR FOR 8 HOURS. BUT DON’T WORRY IF YOU DON’T HAVE TIME, JUST GO STRAIGHT AHEAD TO POINT ‘6’ BELOW.

6. Pop the bird in its roasting dish onto a middle shelf of the oven and cook for *1½ hours with the foil or wetted grease proof covering it. You will need to baste the bird a couple of times during its time in the oven; simply tilt the roasting dish to form a pool of fragrant juices and spoon them over the bird. Then recover and pop back in the oven.

*COOKING NOTES:

i. To cook your chicken allow 15mins per 500g (1lb) and then add another ½ hour at 180ºC or Gas Mk 4. For example, for a bird weighing 2kg allow (4 x 15)mins + ½ hour = 1½ hours.

ii. Always test the chicken is cooked by taking your skewer, knitting needle or small knife and spiking the thickest part of the leg. If the juices that run from the incision are clear the bird should be cooked!

iii. Don’t worry if parts of bird or the juices on the dish turn black, this is just the marinade cooking and anyway, it’s part of the authentic look!

7. When you’re happy the chicken is cooked, remove from the oven, allow to rest for about 20mins, then carve and serve…simple!

SERVING SUGGESTION:

Sprinkle with freshly chopped coriander and serve with Riata and a green salad, mounds of Indian Basmati rice or Indian bread.

WHY NOT TRY

This recipe has been tried and tested by the Green Saffron Masaalchi and is pretty much guaranteed, but if you want to change the quantities of a couple of ingredients go for it….experiment and enjoy your cooking! With Green Saffron spices you can’t go wrong!!!