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.