Chicken tikka masala is a classic and delicious Indian dish that has become popular all over the world. It is a combination of marinated chicken piecesthat are cooked in a creamy tomato-based sauce. The dish is typically served with rice or naan bread. For the cooked in a creamy and spicy tomato-based sauce, the flavours are bold and intense, with a perfect balance of heat and creaminess.In this blog post, we will be sharing a step-by-step recipe for making chicken tikka masala at home.
Ingredients
For the chicken tikka:
- 500g boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garam masala
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp plain yoghurt
For the masala sauce:
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp freshly grated ginger
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp chilli powder
400g canned chopped tomatoes
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
200ml single cream
Handful of fresh coriander leaves, chopped
Instructions
1. Marinade the Chicken
Start by marinading the chicken pieces in the spices and yoghurt. In a bowl, mix together salt, turmeric, cumin, coriander, paprika, garam masala, lemon juice and yoghurt. Add the chicken pieces and ensure that they are evenly coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl with cling film and leave it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
2. Cook the Chicken
Preheat the grill to high. Thread the chicken pieces onto skewers and brush them with vegetable oil. Place them on a baking tray and grill them for 10-12 minutes, turning them frequently, until they are cooked through and lightly charred. Alternatively, you can grill the chicken in a preheated oven at 200°C for 15-20 minutes until they are cooked through and lightly browned.
3. Prepare the Masala sauce
Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 5-7 minutes until they are soft and golden-brown. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for a further minute until fragrant. Next, add the cumin, coriander, paprika, garam masala, turmeric and chilli powder and cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
Add the canned tomatoes, sugar and salt to the pan and stir well. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pan. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened.
4. Add the chicken to the sauce
Once the sauce has thickened, add the grilled chicken pieces to the pan and stir well to coat them with the sauce. Add the single cream to the pan and stir gently to combine. Simmer for a further 5-7 minutes until the chicken pieces are fully coated in the sauce and the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
5. Serve and Garnish
Transfer the chicken tikka masala to a serving dish and garnish with fresh coriander leaves. Serve hot with an accompaniment of your choice such as plain rice, naan bread or roti.
Conclusion
Chicken tikka masala is a restaurant favourite but it is also easy to make at home with this simple recipe. The key to the dish is in the marinade and the spiced tomato-based sauce. This recipe brings out all the flavours and is perfect for a weekend meal. So, next time you are craving a delicious Indian meal, give chicken tikka masala a try and you will not be disappointed!
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