Chicken Tikka Masala
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
1 hr 10 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Course
Main Course
Chicken Tikka Masala
Description
Chicken Tikka Masala is a dish of grilled chicken cubes marinated in yogurt, curry powder, garam masala, lemon juice, and oil, which are baked until cooked and slightly charred. This preparation ensures the chicken is flavorful and tender. The sauce is made by cooking butter with roughly chopped red onion, fresh ginger, garlic cloves, dried fenugreek leaves, curry powder, and garam masala, then simmering with chopped canned tomato and water. After cooking, the sauce is pureed to achieve a smooth texture and finished with heavy cream to add richness. The chicken is then simmered gently in the sauce to meld flavors and retain juiciness.
The flavor profile balances aromatic spices with creamy tomato richness, punctuated by subtle bitterness from fenugreek leaves and the warmth of ginger and garlic. The baking method for the chicken develops some caramelization, contributing texture contrasts when combined with the smooth sauce.
This dish pairs well with garlic naan or steamed rice, providing a hearty, comforting meal. The sauce’s thickness can be adjusted with water to preference. It is recommended to monitor salt levels near the end of cooking to suit taste.
Ingredients
Grilled chicken:
- 1 ½ lbs chicken breast cut in 2 inch (5 cm) cubes, boneless skinless
- 1 teaspoon salt sea salt
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala ground
- ½ cup yogurt plain, whole, made from milk
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
Tikka masala sauce:
- 4 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 1 cup red onion roughly chopped
- 1 inch (2.5 cm) ginger piece
- 3 garlic peeled, cloves
- 1 tablespoons fenugreek leaves dry
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- 2 cups tomato chopped, canned
- 1- cup water
- ½ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Mix ‘Grilled Chicken’ ingredients in a medium bowl. Spread on a cookie sheet and set aside.
- Pre-heat oven at 425 °F/ 218 ℃.
- Place cookie sheet in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Flip the chicken pieces after 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a 3-qt Dutch oven over medium heat, add all the ‘Tikka Masala Sauce’ ingredients.
- Bring to a boil and remove from heat.
- Puree the sauce in a blender and bring it back to the Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add chicken pieces to the sauce and stir. Cook COVERED on low heat for 20 minutes. Adjust salt, if required.
- Add a couple of tablespoons of water if the curry is too thick.
- Serve with good quality garlic naan.
Notes
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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