Nigella Lawson Chicken & Apricot Masala Recipe

Name: Nigella Lawson Chicken & Apricot Masala
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup dried apricot; 1/2 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon ground coriander; 4 cloves; 4 cardamom pods, lightly crushed; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 1 tablespoon minced ginger; 1 cinnamon stick; 2 onions, peeled and finely chopped; 1 teaspoon salt; 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced; 4 medium tomatoes, cut into 1/2 inch dice; 2 tablespoons tomato paste, diluted in; 1/2 cup water; 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves

Servings: persons

1 cup dried apricot
1/2 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
4 cloves
4 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1 cinnamon stick
2 onions, peeled and finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
4 medium tomatoes, cut into 1/2 inch dice
2 tablespoons tomato paste, diluted in
1/2 cup water
3 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves

1
Soak apricots overnight in 2 cups cold water, or cover with 2 cups hot water and soak until swollen and softened, 2 to 3 hours.
2
Prepare masala: In a small bowl, combine hot pepper flakes, cumin, coriander, cloves, cardamom, garlic and ginger.
3
Add 1/4 cup water, and stir to make a paste.
4
Set aside.
5
In a large saute pan over medium heat, heat cinnamon stick.
6
Add onions and salt, and saute until onions begin to soften, 2 to 3 minutes.
7
Add masala, and stir.
8
Add chicken, and stir for about 5 minutes.
9
Add apricots and their soaking liquid, diced tomatoes and diluted tomato paste.
10
Cover and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes.
11
Check cooking liquid about halfway through; if chicken is covered with liquid, remove cover for remainder of cooking.
12
Transfer to a large bowl, sprinkle with cilantro and serve hot.

675

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

109

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Feel free to swap in similar ingredients you already have on hand and adjust seasoning to taste.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

Saved locally in your browser — visible only to you.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 16 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 cup dried apricot, 1/2 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, and more.

Yes, Nigella Lawson Chicken & Apricot Masala falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Nigella Lawson Chicken & Apricot Masala

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions