Chicken Tikka Masala

Introduction: Indian cuisine is renowned for its rich flavors, aromatic spices, and diverse dishes that tantalize the taste buds. One such beloved dish that captures the essence of Indian cooking is Chicken Tikka Masala. In this blog post, we’ll take you on a culinary journey to discover the secrets behind creating a mouthwatering Chicken Tikka Masala right in your own kitchen.

Ingredients:

• 500 grams boneless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons oil or ghee (clarified butter)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, pureed
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional, for color)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnishing

Instructions:

Marinating the Chicken:

1. In a bowl, combine yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder, lemon juice, and salt to create a marinade.
2. Add chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are well-coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour for optimal flavor infusion.

Cooking the Chicken Tikka:

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) or use a grill.
2. Thread marinated chicken onto skewers and place on a foil-lined baking tray.
3. Bake or grill for 15-20 minutes until chicken is cooked and slightly charred. Turn skewers halfway through cooking for even browning.

Making the Tikka Masala Sauce:

1. Heat oil or ghee in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and sauté until they splutter.
2. Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
3. Stir in ginger-garlic paste, tomato puree, tomato paste, coriander powder, turmeric powder, paprika, garam masala, and salt. Cook until the sauce thickens and oil separates.
4. Add grilled chicken tikka pieces to the sauce, simmer for 5-10 minutes.
5. Pour in heavy cream, stir gently, and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
6. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

Serving Suggestions: Serve Chicken Tikka Masala hot with steamed rice, naan bread, or roti. Garnish with additional fresh coriander leaves for a burst of flavor.

Conclusion: Now that you have mastered the art of making Chicken Tikka Masala, unleash your culinary creativity and delight your taste buds with this irresistible Indian dish. Don’t forget to share your cooking adventures and feedback in the comments below. Happy cooking!