British · Chicken
Chicken Tikka Masala
British-Indian fusion dish with grilled chicken in creamy tomato sauce
The Method
Instructions
First things first, let's get the chicken marinating. In a bowl, mix together some creamy yogurt, fresh lemon juice, half of your tikka masala spice mix, and a good pinch of salt. Coat your chicken breasts thoroughly in this mixture, making sure every piece is well covered. Cover the bowl and pop it into the fridge for at least 2 hours, or even better, overnight if you have the time. This step is where the magic begins, allowing the flavors to really soak into the chicken, making it juicy and full of that signature tangy, spicy kick.
When your chicken has had its spa treatment in the marinade, thread the pieces carefully onto skewers. If you're using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for about 30 minutes beforehand to prevent any burning. Now, it's time to cook the chicken. You can either grill it outside on a barbecue or broil it in your oven. Cook for about 12 to 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until you see those beautiful charred edges that add a lovely smoky flavor. The chicken should be cooked through but still juicy inside.
While the chicken is cooking, melt a good knob of butter in a large pan over medium heat. Once the butter is nice and hot, add your finely chopped onions. Sauté them gently, stirring often, until they turn a lovely golden color and become soft and sweet. This will take around 8 to 10 minutes, so be patient; this step adds a deep richness to your sauce.
Next, toss in the minced garlic and freshly grated ginger along with the remaining tikka masala spices, coriander, cumin, and garam masala. Stir everything together and cook for a few minutes until the mixture becomes wonderfully fragrant. You'll know it's ready when your kitchen fills with those warm, inviting Indian spice aromas.
Now, add a spoonful of tomato paste to the pan and cook it for about 2 minutes. This helps to deepen the tomato flavor and adds a nice, rich base to your sauce. Then, pour in the crushed tomatoes, stirring them into the spices and onions. Let this simmer gently for about 15 minutes. You'll notice the sauce thickening and the flavors coming together beautifully.
Once your sauce has simmered, it's time to blend it until smooth. You can use a hand blender right in the pan or transfer it to a blender carefully. This step gives you that lovely silky texture that makes chicken tikka masala so comforting and delicious.
Pour the smooth sauce back into the pan and stir in the heavy cream, which will add a luscious creaminess and mellow out the spices just perfectly. Now, add your cooked chicken pieces into the sauce and let everything simmer together for another 10 minutes on low heat. This lets the chicken soak up all those wonderful flavors and stay tender.
Finally, sprinkle a handful of freshly chopped cilantro over the top for a fresh, vibrant touch. Serve your homemade chicken tikka masala with fluffy basmati rice and warm naan bread to soak up all that amazing sauce. This British Indian fusion dish has rightfully earned its place as a national favorite, and now you have a delicious homemade version to enjoy with your friends and family.
When your chicken has had its spa treatment in the marinade, thread the pieces carefully onto skewers. If you're using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for about 30 minutes beforehand to prevent any burning. Now, it's time to cook the chicken. You can either grill it outside on a barbecue or broil it in your oven. Cook for about 12 to 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until you see those beautiful charred edges that add a lovely smoky flavor. The chicken should be cooked through but still juicy inside.
While the chicken is cooking, melt a good knob of butter in a large pan over medium heat. Once the butter is nice and hot, add your finely chopped onions. Sauté them gently, stirring often, until they turn a lovely golden color and become soft and sweet. This will take around 8 to 10 minutes, so be patient; this step adds a deep richness to your sauce.
Next, toss in the minced garlic and freshly grated ginger along with the remaining tikka masala spices, coriander, cumin, and garam masala. Stir everything together and cook for a few minutes until the mixture becomes wonderfully fragrant. You'll know it's ready when your kitchen fills with those warm, inviting Indian spice aromas.
Now, add a spoonful of tomato paste to the pan and cook it for about 2 minutes. This helps to deepen the tomato flavor and adds a nice, rich base to your sauce. Then, pour in the crushed tomatoes, stirring them into the spices and onions. Let this simmer gently for about 15 minutes. You'll notice the sauce thickening and the flavors coming together beautifully.
Once your sauce has simmered, it's time to blend it until smooth. You can use a hand blender right in the pan or transfer it to a blender carefully. This step gives you that lovely silky texture that makes chicken tikka masala so comforting and delicious.
Pour the smooth sauce back into the pan and stir in the heavy cream, which will add a luscious creaminess and mellow out the spices just perfectly. Now, add your cooked chicken pieces into the sauce and let everything simmer together for another 10 minutes on low heat. This lets the chicken soak up all those wonderful flavors and stay tender.
Finally, sprinkle a handful of freshly chopped cilantro over the top for a fresh, vibrant touch. Serve your homemade chicken tikka masala with fluffy basmati rice and warm naan bread to soak up all that amazing sauce. This British Indian fusion dish has rightfully earned its place as a national favorite, and now you have a delicious homemade version to enjoy with your friends and family.
Pairs Well With
