I hate waste and try not to throw away things I can put to use, these Sweet Ghee Chicken Niblets were the result of some red pickled jalapeños I had sitting at home that weren’t being eaten because they didn’t taste as nice as the green jalapeños I normally buy. I threw together this concoction one evening, not entirely sure of how it would turn out but when we tasted the dish it was so tasty! The list of ingredients is unusual (I’m starting to realise I’m a very unconventional cook) but honestly you have to take my word for it and TRY it! The great thing about this recipe is that it’s like a curry and once cooked has some gravy but it’s quicker than cooking a traditional curry. I often buy my chicken niblets and marinate using this recipe on the day of purchase and freeze for use at a later date; it means I have dinner/a teatime snack sorted for when I don’t have energy to whiz up something more fancy. This dish is rich, creamy and tastes of sweet Indian buttery heaven! My family happily eat this alongside a rice dish or an Indian flat bread and it has become a firm staple in our diets.

I’ve used red pickled jalapeños but you don’t need to use jalapeños (I can tell you now these ones were not very tasty) and can simply replace using 1/2 – 1 red bell pepper (the recipe works with red peppers and I have tested this too). I’m not sure how this recipe would turn out using chicken breasts, whenever I have cooked this I’ve used niblets but I’m sure chicken breasts would taste great too. If you do intend to use chicken breasts add 1 tbsp of lemon juice to the marinade to help tenderize the breasts. For this recipe I have used golden syrup, I know some of you may not be able to source this and can replace this with honey or maple syrup instead. The ghee is an essential part of this recipe as it gives the dish its very buttery taste, however if you don’t want to add too much, stick to one tablespoon and the recipe works fine. My unconventional cooking methods are strange but very tasty, so give this a go!

Serves 4 – 6

You will need:

1kg chicken niblets (washed and drained)
3 tbsp red pickled jalapeños OR 1/2 – 1 red bell pepper
1/2 a medium onion
6 cloves garlic (3 for the marinade and 3 for frying in pan)
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp mixed curry powder (Bolsts preferably)
1/2 tsp garam masala
1 tsp salt
1/3 of a can of chopped tomatoes
3 tsp golden syrup
1 – 3 tbsp ghee (use more or less depending on your preference, use 3 tbsp for maximum taste)
3 – 4 tbsp creme fraiche/double cream/soured cream (use whatever you have to hand)
coriander for garnishing

Method:

These are the jalapeños I have used in this recipe, you don’t have to buy this brand but I bought several jars and make use of them instead of throwing them away. You can use red bell peppers instead and they work with this recipe too.

In a food processor add 3 tbsp of red jalapeños (or 1/2 – 1 red bell pepper), 1/2 an onion (quartered to make blending easier) and 3 cloves of garlic….

….followed by  1/2 tsp turmeric, 1/2 tsp mixed curry powder (Bolsts preferably), 1/2 tsp garam masala, 1 tsp salt, 1/3 of a can of chopped tomatoes and 3 tsp golden syrup. Blitz all of these ingredients well into a smooth paste.

Add the paste to the washed chicken niblets, mix well and leave to one side.

Using a pestle or weighted object, crush the remaining 3 cloves of garlic.

In a large lidded frying pan heat 1 – 3 tbsp of ghee (depending on your preference), add the 3 crushed garlic cloves and brown slightly.

Once the garlic is brown, carefully tip in the marinated chicken niblets.

Mix the niblets and coat with the ghee. Leave covered over a medium heat with the lid on and cook for 20 – 25 minutes, stir occasionally.

Once the niblets are fully cooked and the oil has separated, add 3 – 4 tbsp of creme fraiche/double cream/soured cream, I have used all of these and they all work perfectly….

….mix well and gently simmer for 2 more minutes, garnish with chopped coriander then promptly remove from heat.

Serve your Sweet Ghee Chicken Niblets with a rice or indian flat bread and savour the flavour!

Bon Appetit!!

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