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Cheese Chooza (Chicken in a rich, creamy sauce)

A kid friendly recipe that is a hit on daawats and parties.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 day 30 minutes
Marinating time 3 hours
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the marination
  • 800 grams chicken (boneless or bone in)
  • 2 tsp ginger-garlic paste (or 1 tsp each of ginger and garlic paste)
  • 1 tsp kashmiri red chili powder
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon powder
  • ½ tsp black pepper powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 medium lemon (squeeze the juice)
Other ingredients
  • 2 Tbsp ghee
  • 200 grams crème fraiche (substitute: sour cream)
  • 200 grams cheese spread (schmelzkäse)
  • 2 Tbsp honey (mildly flavoured)
  • 200 ml water
  • 2 Tbsp corn starch
  • ¼ tsp freshly crushed pepper

Method
 

  1. Marinate the chicken with all the mentioned ingredients. Cover and put into the fridge to marinate for at least 3 hours or better overnight/24 hours.
  2. Heat the ghee in a pot on medium high heat. Once the pot is hot, add the chicken and spread it all over in a single layer. If there is not enough space in the pot, do it in batches. Let the chicken get some brown spots and then flip and repeat on the other side (cook for about 3 minutes on each side). To avoid the chicken being dry and rubbery, do not overcook it. (If you are using bone in chicken, you will have to cover and cook it until it is done.)
  3. Once the chicken is cooked, add the creme fraiche and cheese spread (schmelzkäse). Reduce the heat to low and mix. Let the cream and cheese melt.
  4. Add the honey and mix until combined. Let it cook on low heat for a minute.
  5. In the meanwhile, mix cornstarch with the water. Add it to the pot and mix until combined. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes then turn off heat.
  6. Transfer to a serving dish and add freshly crushed pepper. Serve with chapati or rice.

Notes

  • Where to find the ingredients?
You can find the spices at the Indian store. Chicken is from Turkish store and all the rest of the ingredients are from Aldi.
Cheese spread (schmelzkäse) is available near the sandwich bread section (not in the fridge). Corn starch is available by the name Speisestärke in Germany. Crème fraiche is available in the fridge section.
  • Which part/cut of chicken could be used?
I have used chicken breast for this recipe, but have made it numerous times with bone-in chicken as well. You can use any part of chicken that you prefer. If using bone-in chicken, you will have to cook it a little longer.
  • Can this be made spicier?
You can increase the amount of kashmiri red chili powder to make it spicier. I prefer to make a milder version so kids can have it easily. I personally like adding freshly crushed black pepper for a kick on my plate.
  • Can this be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can make it a day or two ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge and you can reheat in the microwave or a pot.