Chicken Tikka Masala

Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner

Time: 60 min
Source: Original recipe

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken, preferably thighs
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or hung curd
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala, for marinade
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder, for marinade
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder, for marinade
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, for marinade
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon kasuri methi, for marinade
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste, for marinade
• 1 tablespoon oil, for marinade
• 3 tablespoons oil or ghee
• 1 1/2 cups finely chopped onions
• 1 green chili, optional
• 1 teaspoon salt, for sauce
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste, for sauce
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder, for sauce
• 2 teaspoons garam masala, for sauce
• 1 tablespoon coriander powder, for sauce
• 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin powder, for sauce
• 1 to 2 teaspoons sugar, to taste
• 1 pound tomatoes, pureed or chopped
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 tablespoon kasuri methi, for sauce
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons cream, for garnish
• 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Method

1. Cut the chicken into 1 to 1 1/2 inch pieces and pat dry.
2. Mix chicken with yogurt, chili powder, garam masala, turmeric, coriander, cumin, salt, lemon juice, kasuri methi, ginger-garlic paste, and oil.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, ideally overnight.
4. Saute onions in oil or ghee with salt until deeply golden.
5. Add ginger-garlic paste and green chili, then cook until fragrant.
6. Stir in chili powder, coriander, garam masala, and cumin.
7. Add tomatoes and cook until the masala thickens.
8. Add hot water, cover, and simmer until the sauce is thick. Blend if you want a smoother gravy.
9. Grill, bake, air-fry, or pan-sear the marinated chicken until charred and mostly cooked through.
10. Stir cream and sugar into the sauce.
11. Add the chicken tikka and crushed kasuri methi, then simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until tender.
12. Garnish with cream and cilantro. Serve with naan, roti, paratha, basmati rice, or jeera rice.