Dad's Chicken Chasni by May Donald - Eden Project communities

Recipe by May Donald

This recipe was submitted by May Donald as part of our Big Lunch Recipe Search.

“For a healthier option omit the cream and use crème fraiche. This dish is versatile – use paneer cheese, chicken, lamb, prawns, chunky veg and pulses. A delicious dish which is a curry but really it is a nod to the Scottish palate as far as curries are concerned. This can be made with the light ingredients for a healthier option or full on delight with the full fat option. If you add more chilli powder, it will balance the sweetness – it just depends on the palate.”

Ingredients

Serves 3

2 Chicken Breast
3 Onions
Salt
150g Mango Chutney
3g Chilli Powder
8g Turmeric
4 Garlic cloves pureed
1″ Fresh ginger peeled and grated
125g Tomato Ketchup
200g Single Cream
5g Mint Sauce
8g Lemon Juice
Red powder food colour if desired

Serve with Turmeric and Cumin Rice:

1 ½ cups basmati rice
3 cups water (or vegetable stock)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil or ghee
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
½ teaspoon turmeric powder
1 small onion, finely chopped (optional)
2 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
Salt, to taste
Fresh coriander, chopped (garnish)

Method

Step 1

Slice the onions and fry until they are soft. Add the salt, chilli and turmeric.

Step 2

In a separate pan seal the chicken. Then, put the chicken in with the onions.

Step 3

Now add the chutney, ketchup, mint sauce and lemon juice.

Step 4

Leave to simmer for roughly 10 minutes. Once the chicken is fully cooked, add the cream and ¼ teaspoon of red food colouring.

Step 5

Rinse rice, sauté spices, seeds, add rice, lightly toast, add water & salt, cook gently with a lid for 18ish minutes.

I’ve chosen this dish for The Big Lunch recipe search as a heartfelt nod to my late dad, who would often make it in our home. If I close my eyes, the smell instantly transports me back to happy times growing up. We were a food-loving household, always eager to experiment in the kitchen, and this dish evolved over many years, perfected with each tweak. It’s more than just a recipe – it’s a part of my family’s story and a reminder of the warmth and love that filled our home.
May Donald

Three women carrying food to a Big Lunch

The Big Lunch Recipe Search!

This recipe is part of the Big Lunch Recipe Search Cookbook! We teamed up with celebrity chefs Briony May Williams, Dame Prue Leith and Ainsley Harriott to run The Big Lunch Recipe Search – to uncover the UK’s favourite shareable recipes that inspire us all to come together for The Big Lunch on 7 – 8 June. See more of the finalists in our new Big Lunch Recipe Search Cookbook, showcasing fantastic dishes from across the UK for you to try your hand at this summer!

View the cookbook