Chiken Tikka Masala

prep time:: 20 to 30 Minutes
total time:: 1 to 1.5 Hours

Makes 3 servings

Chiken Tikka Masala is one of the most popular Indian dishes. Grilled marinated chicken is combined with a creamy tomato sauce.

ingredients

Boneless Skinless Chicken
3 Breasts or 6 Thighs(Cut1 inch cubes)
Marinade for Chicken:
1 Cup plain yogurt
3 tbls veg oil
2 Tbls lemon juice
2 tbls ground cumin
1 tbls ground black pepper
2 tbls ground cinnamon
1 tbls ground nutmeg
1 tbls garm malasa
salt to taste
1 clove crushed garlic
1 inch ground ginger
Sauce:
1 tbls butter or ghee
1 teaspoon ginger paste
2 cloves minced garlic
1 minched green chilli pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon gharm masala
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cashew puree
8 ounce tomato sauce
1 chopped tomato
1 onion chopped
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup ricotta cheese
fresh chopped cilantro

directions

1
This dish has 2 steps, first the chicken which is the Tikka and then the Sauce which is the Masala.
2
CHICKEN(Tikka):
3
Mix all the Marinade ingredients together and add the cut up chicken, let sit overnight in fridge for best results.
4
Grill the chicken until cooked and starts to golden brown in color.
5
Do not overcook to assure moist & juicy and set Chicken aside.
6
SAUCE(Masala):
7
Heat oil, add ginger paste, minced garlic and green chilli. Fry 1 minute and add chopped onions and stir until golden to caramelize.
8
Once onions have carmelized, add cumin, paprika, gharm masala, salt and chopped tomato and cook for 1 minute.
9
Add the tomato paste and cashew paste and stir all ingredinets to mix well and let cook for 2 minutes and then add the chicken pieces.
10
Lower heat and let simmer for 10 minutes.
11
After 10 minutes, increase heat to High and add the milk and ricotta cheese while stirring until sauce comes to boil.
12
Lower heat again and simmer for 5 minutes
13
Gravy should thicken slightly.
14
Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and serve hot with rice or naan bread.

notes

You can increase or lower the heat/spice level to your taste by adjusting the amounts of chilli peppers and dry spices. You can also use heavy cream instead of milk and ricotta cheese

Source: Dharmen