India is endowed with numerous delicious recipes and delicacies. Chicken tikka masala is one of them. People from different countries are fascinated by our cuisine and its offerings. Chicken tikka masala is a starter that encumbers a blend of delicious spices wrapped around chicken pieces to offer a superior taste.
The word tikka translates to “tiny chunks”, and masala means spices. People can select different concoctions of spices, contingent on their palette. In addition, we are blessed with a diverse culture of using other spices and herbs.
The best chicken tikka masala recipe focuses on marinating the chicken through and through before cooking it. Even people who do not eat non-vegetarian food can be swayed at the expense of this delicacy.
Indian meals serve as comfort food for people across the world. In spite of the spices used, they are replete with nutrients and are easy on the stomach. You could prepare a chicken tikka masala recipe from the excerpts below to revel in that experience from the comfort of your home.
RECIPE
You could use the same recipe to prepare paneer tikka masala as well. Just replace the chicken with some paneer. A significant ingredient in this delicacy is thick yoghurt. You can serve chicken tikka masala with naan, chapati or rice.
INGREDIENTS
MARINATED CHICKEN
1) You will need 800 gms of boneless and skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces.
2) 1 cup plain thick yoghurt/ greek yoghurt
3) 1.5 tablespoons of minced garlic
4) 1 tablespoon garam masala (adjust according to taste)
5) 1 teaspoon turmeric
6) 1 teaspoon ground cumin
7) 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust according to taste)
8) Salt to taste
SAUCE
1) Use two tablespoons of vegetable oil
2) 2 tablespoons of butter
3) 2 medium-sized onions finely diced
4) 1.5 tablespoons garlic finely grated
5) 1 tablespoon ginger also finely grated
6) Garam masala to taste
7) 1.5 teaspoon ground cumin
8) 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
9) 1 teaspoon ground coriander
10) 1 1/4 cups of thick and heavy cream
11) 400 gms tomato puree
12) 1 teaspoon brown sugar
13) 4 tablespoons of fresh cilantro/coriander leaves to garnish.
STEPS WISE INSTRUCTIONS
1) Begin with organizing all the ingredients in one place. Next, take a bowl and mix the chicken along with the wet and dry ingredients, and allow it to marinate. The marination period will determine the spice blend and affect the final taste. Hence, it is ideal for marinating the chicken/paneer overnight. However, if you are in a hurry, you could speed up the process by marinating it for an hour as well.
2) Take oil in a wok and bring it to a sizzle. Subsequently, add chicken pieces in installments to avoid cluttering. Fry the pieces until they turn golden brown and set them aside.
3) Melt butter to fry the onions and add garlic, ginger, and spices to it. Stir it occasionally and saute them.
4) Next, you must pour tomato puree, chili powder, and salt and let them simmer for 15 minutes. Add the thick cream and brown sugar to this sauce. Next, mix the chicken pieces and add water if necessary.
5) Garnish with coriander/cilantro and serve hot.
CONCLUSION
This recipe is the most straightforward technique to make chicken tikka masala at home for your loved ones.