Easy Chicken Tikka Masala
My friend Wayne, from the Food Network community site recently pointed out that he was haunted by the chicken tikka masala dish appearing everywhere on the Food Channel. Everyone from the "Spice Goddess", Bobby Flay, and even the " Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" program were focusing on this popular east Indian dish. Talk about the power of the media being persuasive: I too succumbed and had made the recipe but had not gotten around to posting it. My version is probably a lazy one as I didn't marinate the chicken nor pre-bake it before adding it to the tikka masala sauce. Also for my vegetarian friends, I'm sure this would be a great recipe for you if you simply replace the chicken with tofu.
Total Steps
11
Ingredients
19
Tools Needed
7
Ingredients
- Salt
- fresh coriander
- 1 small container plain yogurt (about 1/2 cup)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, finely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon cardamom
- 3 breasts chicken, cut into bite-size cubes
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil or grape seed oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
Instructions
Step 1
Mix all the spices (paprika, cayenne, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric) in a small bowl. Set aside.
Step 2
Heat the oil in a large saucepan.
Step 3
Add the chopped onions and cook until golden brown.
Step 4
Add the finely chopped garlic and continue to cook for 1 minute.
Step 5
Stir in the reserved spice mixture and allow the flavors to infuse.
Step 6
Stir in the tomato paste.
Step 7
Add the chopped tomato and pour in the water. Simmer and season with salt to taste.
Step 8
Add the chicken pieces, stirring well to coat the meat with the sauce. Continue to simmer until the chicken is cooked and the sauce has thickened.
Step 9
Stir in the yogurt and continue to simmer.
Step 10
Garnish with chopped fresh coriander.
Step 11
Serve with basmati rice.