Chicken Tikka Masala

Here’s a simple recipe to make Chicken Tikka Masala at home:

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Marinade:

- 500g boneless chicken (cut into cubes)

- 100g plain yoghurt

- 1 half of the Tikka Masala spice sachet

- Salt (half teaspoon)

For the Sauce:

- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

- 1 onion (finely chopped)

- 4 garlic cloves (minced)

- 10 g fresh ginger (grated)

- 2nd half of the Tikka Masala spice sachet

- 400g canned tomatoes (crushed)

- 150ml heavy cream

- Salt (to taste)

- Fresh coriander (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken:

• In a bowl, combine yoghurt, vegetable oil, one half of the Tikka Masala spice sachet, and salt. 
• Add the chicken pieces and coat well. Cover and let marinate for at least 1 hour (or overnight in the refrigerator for best results).

2. Cook the Chicken:

• Preheat your grill or oven to a high temperature, around 200°C (400°F).
• Arrange the marinated chicken on a baking tray or skewer and cook for 20-30 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and has developed a slight char. Alternatively, you can pan-fry the chicken in a small amount of oil.

3. Prepare the Sauce:

• In a large pan, heat the oil over medium heat.
• Add the chopped onion and saute until slightly brown.

• Add minced garlic and ginger, cooking for another minute.
• Stir in the 2nd half of the Tikka Masala spice sachet. Cook for a minute until fragrant.

• Add the crushed tomatoes and
simmer for about 10 minutes.
• Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt. Cook for a few more minutes, until the sauce has thickened.

• Transfer the sauce to a mixing bowl and blend until smooth. 

4. Combine:

• Add the cooked chicken to the
sauce and simmer for another 5 minutes to allow the flavours to meld.

5. Serve:

• Garnish with fresh coriander. Serve hot with rice or naan bread.

Enjoy your Chicken Tikka Masala, made by you, at home, from scratch!

Cooking advice:

  • When adding spice to the garlic and ginger mix in the pan, let the spices roast in the pan to release their flavour.
  • Oven-bake chicken and slightly char on both sides for a smoky flavour
  • Maximise your experience with some lime or mango pickle, which pairs perfectly with the tomato smoky chicken tikka.