Chicken Tikka Masala – Recipe & Cooking Instructions

Chicken Tikka Masala – Recipe & Cooking Instructions

Chicken Tikka Masala is one of the iconic dishes offered by the flavorful and aromatic Indian cuisine, known for its unforgettable and richly spiced taste.

This dish was first prepared in the 1950s, though its exact origin is debated. Some claim it has British-Pakistani roots, while others argue it originated from British-Bangladeshi chefs.

Regardless of its origin, Chicken Tikka Masala has gained immense popularity in the United Kingdom, to the extent that it has been called Britain’s national dish.

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Ingredients for Chicken Tikka Masala (Serves 4):

 

For the Chicken Marinade:

• ¾ cup yogurt

• ½ tsp garlic-ginger paste

• 1 tsp ground chili powder

• ¼ tsp turmeric

• 1 tsp ground coriander

• ½ tsp ground cumin

• ½ tsp garam masala (Indian spice blend)

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 grated onion

For the Sauce:

• 500 grams (½ kg) chicken breast, cut into cubes

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

• 2 chopped onions

• 2 tomatoes

• ¾ tsp ground chili powder

• 1 tsp ground coriander

• ¾ tsp garam masala

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• ½ tsp salt

• 3 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (coriander leaves)

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How to Prepare Chicken Tikka Masala:

Start by preparing the marinade: In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, garlic-ginger paste, chili powder, turmeric, garam masala, coriander, cumin, salt, lemon juice, and grated onion. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.

Add the chicken cubes to the marinade, stir to coat evenly, and let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes so the flavors soak into the chicken.

In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil and sauté the marinated chicken until golden on all sides. Once browned, remove the chicken and set aside.

In the same skillet, add the chopped onions and salt. Sauté until the onions soften, then add the chopped tomatoes and stir well until combined.

Transfer the onion-tomato mixture into a blender, add 1 cup of water, and blend until smooth to form the sauce.

Pour the sauce back into a pot over low heat. Add the ground chili powder, coriander, and garam masala. Stir well to combine.

Next, add the remaining marinade and the browned chicken. Mix thoroughly and allow the dish to simmer on low heat until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

Once ready, serve the Chicken Tikka Masala in a deep dish, garnish with fresh chopped cilantro, and enjoy its rich, savory taste with your family.