Malabari Chicken Stew

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 whole cardamom pods
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 whole cloves
• 1 (1 inch) piece cinnamon stick
• 2 onions, sliced
• 3 fresh green chile peppers, sliced
• 3 large potatoes, cubed
• 2 teaspoons ginger garlic paste
• 2 carrots, diced (optional)
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1 1/2 (14 ounce) cans coconut milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cubed
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream (optional)
• 1 tomato, diced (optional)

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until the oil shimmers with heat, and stir in the cardamom pods, bay leaves, cloves, and cinnamon stick until the spices are fragrant, about 30 seconds; mix in the onions and green chile peppers, and cook and stir until the onions are beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Stir in the potatoes, ginger garlic paste, and carrots; cook and stir for 5 more minutes. Mix in the coriander, black pepper, turmeric, and salt; cook for 2 more minutes, stirring frequently.

Stir in the coconut milk, water, chicken breast meat, yogurt, cream, and tomatoes; bring the mixture to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook partially covered, stirring every 5 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is no longer pink inside, 20 to 30 minutes. Discard cardamom pods, bay leaves, and cinnamon stick before serving.