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Along with Butter Chicken which this recipe is almost identical to, Chicken Tikka Masala is a great introduction to Indian cuisine. It’s not too spicy and is made with easily acquired ingredients. The ingredients list may look intimidating, but essentially it all goes in the marinade or the sauce together.
Chicken Tikka Masala
A fantastic British Indian dish that hits all the high points. You can make this mild or a lot spicier. Its up to you
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 lb 450g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 green chilli (optional) adjust to taste
- Salt to taste
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter and oil
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons garlic paste
- 2 teaspoons ginger paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon kashmiri chili powder adjust to taste
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken stock adjust for desired consistency
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro (coriander) coriander leaves, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Marinating the Chicken:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the yogurt, lemon juice, ground cumin, ground coriander, garam masala, paprika, chili powder, and salt.
- Add the chicken pieces and coat them well with the marinade. Cover the bowl and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours, preferably overnight.
- Grilling the Chicken:
- Preheat your grill or broiler.
- Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers and grill or broil until cooked through and slightly charred on the edges. This can take around 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally. You can also use a grill pan on the stovetop if you don’t have a grill.
Preparing the Sauce:
- In a large skillet or pan, heat the oil or ghee over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent and lightly browned and then add the chopped chilli if desired.
- Add the garlic paste and ginger paste, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, garam masala, and chili powder. Stir well and cook for a couple of minutes to bloom the spices.
- Add the tomato puree and the tomato sauce. Let the flavours meld together for five minutes
Creating the Sauce:
- Reduce the heat to low and add the heavy cream. Stir to combine and let it simmer gently for a few minutes.
- If the sauce seems too thick, you can add some stock to achieve your desired consistency.
- Season the sauce with salt to taste.
- Adding Grilled Chicken:
- Once the sauce is ready, add the grilled chicken pieces to the skillet. Stir gently to coat the chicken with the sauce.
Finishing Touches:
- Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for a few more minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro leaves before serving.
Serving:
- Serve the Chicken Tikka Masala with steamed rice, naan bread, or your choice of Indian bread. Enjoy!
- Remember that you can adjust the spices according to your taste preferences, making the dish milder or spicier as desired.
