Whole tandoori chicken with coriander chutney Recipe

Whole tandoori chicken with coriander chutney Recipe

  • 1.5kg/3½lb whole chicken
  • 4 tbsp natural unsweetened yoghurt
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 4 tbsp single cream
  • 2 tbsp medium-hot paprika
  • 1 tsp medium-hot chilli powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • 1 tbsp tomato purée
  • 4 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 2 tsp peeled and finely grated root ginger
  • 100g/4oz coriander leaves, roughly chopped
  • 3 green finger chillies, roughly chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, roughly chopped (optional)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp demerara sugar
  1. Prick the chicken all over and make a few slits about 2cm/¾in long on the skin.
  2. Mix all the remaining chicken ingredients into a smooth paste and rub the marinade generously all over the chicken skin. Cover and refrigerate for eight hours or overnight.
  3. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.
  4. Place the chicken in a roasting tin and cover with foil. Roast in the centre of the oven for 1½ hours. Halfway through cooking, baste with a little of the marinade.
  5. Remove chicken from the oven and leave in a warm place to rest for 20 minutes.
  6. Meanwhile, for the coriander chutney, place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until the mixture become a coarse paste. Add 4-5 tablespoons of cold water to ease blending. Alternatively, use a pestle and mortar. This chutney can be stored in an airtight, non-metallic container for up to four days in the refrigerator.