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Chicken Tikka Masala

by | Feb 28, 2017 | Chicken, Indian

I was a little nervous about serving this to my kids but they loved it and asked to have leftovers the next day.

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Chicken Tikka Masala
Author: 
Recipe type: Main
Cuisine: Indian
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 4
 
Ingredients
  • 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • ¼ cup plain Greek-style yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 large clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ground coriander
  • 1½ teaspoons ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1½ teaspoons paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 large white onion, finely chopped
  • 1½ cups canned tomato purée
  • ¾ cup water
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1¼ teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • Naan, Basmati rice, and raita
Instructions
  1. Use a fork to prick the chicken breasts all over on both sides.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, 1 tablespoon canola oil, lime juice, and garlic. Add the chicken, and rub the marinade over the meat. Set the chicken aside while you make the sauce.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the coriander, cumin, cardamom, nutmeg, paprika, cayenne, and grated ginger. In a heavy pot or sauté pan over moderately high heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until light brown and caramelized, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to moderate then stir in the spice and ginger mixture. Add the tomato purée, water, heavy cream, and salt, and bring the sauce to a boil. Reduce the heat to gently simmer the sauce, uncovered, until thickened slightly, about 10 minutes.
  4. Heat a large skillet over moderately high heat until very hot and add ½ tablespoon of canola oil. Working in two batches, cook the chicken breasts, turning them a few times until just cooked through and browned well on both sides, 6 to 8 minutes total. Transfer the chicken as cooked to a cutting board. Wipe the griddle or skillet clean with a paper towel and cook the remaining chicken, adding the remaining ½ tablespoon canola oil between batches.
  5. When all the chicken is cooked, cut it into 1½-inch pieces. Add the chicken to the simmering sauce and continue to gently simmer it, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the black pepper and chopped cilantro, and season with salt.
  6. Transfer the chicken to a serving dish and garnish with additional cilantro sprigs. Serve with naan, Basmati rice and raita.