Chicken and Apricot Masala

Adapted from NYT Cooking

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried apricots
• ½ teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 4 whole cloves
• 1/2 tsp ground cardamom (or 4 pods, lightly crushed)
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 1/4 cup garlic-infused olive oil
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 small red or yellow onion, peeled and finely chopped, about 1/2 cup*
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 pounds skinless chicken breast, tenderloins, or thighs, in 1" dice
• 4 medium tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste, diluted in 1/2 cup water (or 1/2 cup diced canned tomatoes in liquid)
• 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves 

*substitute try green onions or green leeks in place of onion, for low FODMAP

Directions

1. Soak apricots overnight in 2 cups cold water, or cover with 2 cups hot water and soak until swollen and softened, 2 to 3 hours.
2. Prepare masala: In a small bowl, combine hot pepper flakes, cumin, coriander, cloves, cardamom, and ginger. Add 1/4 cup water, and stir to make a paste. Set aside.
3. In a large sauté pan over medium heat, heat oil and cinnamon stick. Add onions and salt, and sauté until onions begin to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add masala, and stir. Add chicken, and stir for about 5 minutes. Add apricots and their soaking liquid, diced tomatoes and diluted tomato paste.
4. Cover and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes. Check cooking liquid about halfway through; if chicken is covered with liquid, remove cover for remainder of cooking. Transfer to a large bowl, sprinkle with cilantro and serve hot with basmati rice.