Spicy Chicken Casserole with Apricots

Plump dried fruit makes a wonderful addition to spicy casseroles, adding a hint of a sweetness to offset the heat of the spices.

Ingredients for spicy chicken casserole with apricots

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 chicken breast fillets, each about 150 g
1 small onion, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tablespoon curry powder or paste
400 g tin chopped tomatoes
¼ cup thinly sliced dried apricots
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried
salt and freshly ground black pepper
To Garnish
almonds, lightly toasted and roughly chopped
sprigs of fresh thyme

Preparation method for spicy chicken casserole with apricots

1. Heat the oil in large ovenproof casserole dish over a moderate heat. Add the chicken and sauté for about 3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Transfer the chicken to a plate, using tongs or a slotted spoon.

2. Add the onion and garlic to the dish and cook for 4–5 minutes until the onion is tender.

3. Stir in the curry powder or paste and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, apricots, thyme and salt and pepper to season, and bring to the boil.

4. Return the chicken (and any accumulated juices) to the dish. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

5. Sprinkle with toasted, chopped almonds and garnish with sprigs of fresh thyme.

From: Good Food for Less