Ingredients
. 1 small whole chicken
. 5 tbsp tikka masala paste
. 1 tbsp sunflower oil
.1 large red onion, halved and sliced
.2 large tomatoes, halved and chopped
.1 tbsp fenugreek seeds
.1 thumb-sized piece ginger, grated
.2 x 400g cans full-fat coconut milk
.500g new potatoes, halved
. 100g baby spinach
. 25g pack coriander, torn, to serve
. poppadoms and chutney, to serve (optional)
Method
1) Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 6. Put the chicken on a chopping board and, using your
hands rub the skin generously with half the spice paste. Season well, tie the legs together and
setaside.
2) Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish over a medium heat. Add the onion and a good
pinch of salt and cook for 5 mins or until beginning to soften. Add the tomatoes, fenugreek
seeds, ginger and remaining spice paste, and cook for 3 mins more. Stir through the coconut
milk and bring to a simmer. Add the chicken and the potatoes to the dish, and cook in the ove
for 20 mins, uncovered.
3) Lower the heat to 180C/160C fan/ gas 4 and cook for 55 mins more. Check that the meat is
cooked by cutting through one of its legs – the flesh shouldn’t be pink.
4) Remove the chicken and place on a chopping board. Stir the spinach through the sauce and
leave to rest for 5 mins. Put the chicken back in the dish, top with the coriander and carve at
the table. Serve with poppadums and chutney, if you like.