Butter Chicken Casserole with Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

• 400 g chicken breast or chicken thighs (diced (approximately 2 chicken breasts))
• olive oil (a splash for the marinade)
• 2 tbsp chicken seasoning
• 1 tbsp butter or oil (for frying)
• 1 onion (small, finely diced (optional))
• 5 garlic (cloves, minced (optional))
• 1 Butter Chicken spice paste (1 sachet (e.g., Fairtrade Original))
• 0.5 tomato purée (half a small carton (passata))
• 1 tsp sugar (to balance the acidity of the tomatoes)
• 200 ml cream (for the sauce)
• 7 potatoes
• 1 tbsp salt (for the boiling water, plus extra to taste)
• 1 tbsp butter (for the mash)
• cream (a splash for the mash)
• pepper (to taste)
• nutmeg (to taste)
• mozzarella (or other cheese of choice for the topping)

Steps

1. 1

   Cut the chicken breast or chicken thighs into even cubes.

2. 2

   Marinate the chicken cubes with a splash of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of chicken seasoning. Let this sit for at least an hour so the flavors can develop properly.

3. 3

   Peel the potatoes, cut them into chunks, and boil them in 2 liters of water with 1 tablespoon of salt for at least 30 minutes until soft.

4. 4

   Heat 1 tablespoon of butter or oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Sauté the marinated chicken until lightly golden brown.

5. 5

   Add the finely diced onion and garlic to the chicken and sauté until translucent.

6. 6

   Add the sachet of Butter Chicken spice paste to the pan and stir well to coat all the chicken pieces.

7. 7

   Add half a carton of tomato purée to the mixture. Optional: add a small spoonful of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.

8. 8

   After about 1 minute, pour in the 200 ml of cream.

9. 9

   Let the sauce simmer gently for about 10 minutes until it has become thick and creamy.

10. 10

    Drain the cooked potatoes. Add a tablespoon of butter, a splash of cream, pepper, salt, and nutmeg to taste.

11. 11

    Mash the potatoes until soft and smooth.

12. 12

    Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

13. 13

    Take a baking dish and first spread the mashed potatoes over the bottom.

14. 14

    Spread the butter chicken sauce evenly over the layer of mash, ensuring you fill the corners well.

15. 15

    Sprinkle the top with mozzarella or another cheese of your choice.

16. 16

    Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20 minutes at 180 degrees.

17. 17

    Remove the casserole from the oven and serve immediately.

Notes

The author recommends adding a small spoonful of sugar to the tomato purée to neutralize the acidity. For the best flavor, let the chicken marinate for at least one hour.

Nutrition per serving

• main course
• casserole
• butter chicken
• mashed potatoes
• comfort food
• fusion
• baked