Asian

Chicken Tikka Masala

Sadly, when it comes to Indian Restaurants, Istanbul is not the best city. I used to indulge during my London years and Tikka Masala was one of my favorites.

This is not really a dish that originates from India but was actually invented by Indian Cooks in Great Britain, indeed it is said that the dish originated in Glasgow.

But wherever its origins may be from, it is utterly delicious - a creamy spicy sauce that is poured over oven roasted boneless chicken parts that have been marinated in yogurt. And now that I am writing this I have such an appetite for it that I wonder if I might not attempt making it myself. Ouch - probably not. Maybe bully a friend who knows their way around the kitchen into doing it for me?


INGREDIENTS
For the chicken marinade:
  • 28 oz (800g) boneless and skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup plain yogurt1
  • 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon ginger
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili (or 1/2 teaspoon ground red chili powder)
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
For the sauce:
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable/canola oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 small onions (or 1 large onion) finely diced
  • 11/2 tablespoons garlic finely grated
  • 1 tablespoon ginger finely grated
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 14 oz (400g) tomato puree
  • 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili
  • 1 teaspoon ground red chili powder (adjust to your taste preference)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 cups of heavy or thickened cream
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup water if needed
  • 4 tablespoons Fresh cilantro or coriander to garnish 

INSTRUCTIONS
  • In a bowl, combine chicken with all of the ingredients for the chicken marinade; let marinate for 10 minutes to an hour (or overnight if time allows).
  • Heat oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. When sizzling, add chicken pieces in batches of two or three, making sure not to crowd the pan. Fry until browned for only 3 minutes on each side. Set aside and keep warm. (You will finish cooking the chicken in the sauce.)
  • Melt the butter in the same pan. Fry the onions until soft (about 3 minutes) while scraping up any browned bits stuck on the bottom of the pan. 
  • Add garlic and ginger and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, then add garam masala, cumin, turmeric and coriander. Fry for about 20 seconds until fragrant, while stirring occasionally.
  • Pour in the tomato puree, chili powders and salt. Let simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens and becomes a deep brown red colour.
  • Stir the cream and sugar through the sauce. Add the chicken and its juices back into the pan and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thick and bubbling. Pour in the water to thin out the sauce, if needed.
  • Garnish with cilantro (coriander) and serve with hot garlic butter rice and Nan Bread.


Shamelessly filched from: 
Thank you Cafe Delites! :-)

Images: Unsplash and Freepik.


Elif Ayiter

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