Chicken Tikka Masala

  Chicken Tikka Masala

                                               

Chicken Tikka Masala is a popular Indian dish known for its tender chicken pieces marinated in spices and yogurt, cooked in a rich and flavorful tomato-based sauce. Here's a basic recipe for making Chicken Tikka Masala:

Chicken Tikka:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450g) boneless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons ginger paste
• 2 teaspoons garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika or Kashmiri red chili powder (adjust to taste)
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons oil

Instructions:

• In a bowl, mix the yogurt, lemon juice, ginger paste, garlic paste, ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, paprika, salt, and oil to create the marinade.
• Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Marinate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight in the refrigerator.
• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers and place them on a baking sheet.
• Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred around the edges. You can also grill the chicken on a barbecue.

Tikka Masala Sauce:

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons ginger paste
• 2 teaspoons garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika or Kashmiri red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 can (14 oz/400g) crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk
• Salt to taste
• Fresh cilantro (coriander leaves) for garnishing

Instructions:

• Heat oil or ghee in a pan over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent and golden.
• Add ginger paste and garlic paste to the onions. Sauté for a minute until fragrant.
• Stir in ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, paprika, and garam masala. Cook the spices for a couple of minutes to release their flavors.
• Add the crushed tomatoes and cook the mixture until the oil begins to separate from the sauce. This might take about 10-15 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream or coconut milk. Mix well and let the sauce simmer for a few minutes.
• Season the sauce with salt according to your taste.
• Add the cooked chicken tikka pieces to the sauce. Simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
• Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro before serving.

Serve the Chicken Tikka Masala over steamed rice or with naan bread. Enjoy your delicious homemade Chicken Tikka Masala!