Basil, Cilantro and Macadamia Nut Chicken

Not your ordinary weeknight chicken, but after marinating, the dish is ready in about 1/2 hour! Make it the night before and you have a quick, delicious treat for dinner. The flavor will have you filling your plate again and again.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 2  lbs boneless skinless chicken (I use breasts or thighs)
• 2  tablespoons fresh ginger
• 5  cloves garlic
• 3  jalapenos
• 2  packages  macadamia nuts (about 1/2 cup)
• 2  tablespoons olive oil
• 2  tablespoons lime juice
• 2 (6 ounce) containers plain yogurt
• 1  bunch basil, stems removed
• 1⁄2 cup cilantro
• 1  tablespoon garam masala
• 1 -2  tablespoon ground coriander
• 1  tablespoon ground cumin
•  salt and pepper

Directions

1. Put ginger, garlic and peppers into a food processor and process til smooth.
2. Add macadamia nuts and continue to process.
3. Add oil, lime juice yogurt, basil, cilantro and spices and process again until smooth.
4. Put the chicken in a medium bowl, and add the mixture, stirring to coat all pieces.
5. Cover and refrigerate chicken for 12 hours.
6. This step is not necessarily required (I have made it after marinating for only 1/2 hour, but the flavor is much better if you do let it marinate).
7. Heat a bit of oil (2 tbls) in a wok, or deep dish fry pan.
8. Add chicken and its marinade to pan and cook thoroughly, stirring frequently, until marinade sticks to chicken.
9. This will take about 20 minutes to 1/2 hour.
10. The mixture will look soupy at first, and then begin to thicken up as the sauce reduces.
11. I like a little heat, so I also add a little chili oil to the dish.
12. Serve with steamed jasmine or basmati rice.