Hi guys! I was least expecting to post this recipe here but Oh boy! Was I overwhelmed with joy to see the responses on the boomerang I posted on IG while making *Chicken Tikka Masala*? My DM was literally bombarded with recipe requests for the same! I was hesitant to share the recipe here as I did not capture or shoot the step by step cooking process, but I shall update the post the next time I prepare it. Like who doesn't love Chicken Tikka Masala? It is one of the most popular dishes from around the world. (maybe of course after butter chicken, teehee). No wonder it became popular for the flavors are divine leaving the tongue captivated.

A common confusion is the difference between Chicken Tikka Masala and Butter chicken as they are similar in preparation. Though Chicken Tikka Masala contains more spiciness while butter chicken is more on the sweeter buttery side.

Have you had that rice and chicken tikka masala combi from flights, the best part of flying on Emirates? The basmati rice and chicken tikka masala combination. Throwback to the good old days (when almost all flights served yummy and hot food). When I received all the recipe requests and I had some leftover Masala, I immediately made some basmati rice to go with it for lunch (and for the gram). It was so nostalgic. 😍😍😍



This dish is mostly prepared when in a mood for some North Indian dish and this was what happened yesterday when I was craving some Indian food and I was going blank on what to cook for dinner. So without a second thought, I convinced myself to prepare this and it was completely spontaneous! We normally prefer bone pieces of chicken unlike the usual boneless used for Chicken tikka. And to go with it I made this butter naan/tandoori roti which my hubsy was all praises of! In sha Allah (if Allah wills) will try to post the instant Naan recipe ASAP :)
Not to brag but he actually said it tasted as good as having from a restaurant. What else does a wife want, the approval of our husbands is what we all strive for. You won't believe if I said it wasn't a recipe I followed, nor did I refer anywhere, I felt like it and made it the way I wanted. I guarantee you everyone is going to love it!

Ingredients :

Chicken Tikka:

• 600 gms Chicken (small cuts)
• 2-3 tbsp Yogurt
• 1 tsp Ginger garlic paste
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
• 1 tsp Kashmiri Chilli powder
• 2 tbsp Tandoori Chicken Powder (for substitute check notes)
• Salt
• 1/2 tsp lemon juice
• Vegetable oil for frying

Gravy:

• 1 medium onion chopped coarsely
• 2 medium tomatoes chopped coarsely
• 1 tsp Ginger garlic paste
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
• 2-3 tsp Kashmiri Chilli powder
• 1 tbsp Tandoori Masala powder, (or check notes for substitute)
• 1 clove
• 1 cardamom
• 1/2 glass water
• 1/2 tsp Cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp dried fenugreek leaves
• 2 tbsp fresh cream/ thick cream
• 1 tbsp butter
• Salt, to taste
• Sugar, a pinch

Instructions:

1. To begin with, heat oil in a Kadai and fry in the marinated chicken pieces in 2-3 batches without overcrowding for 15 minutes on medium-low turning over every 5 minutes.
2. Next, in a pan/ skillet pour in the oil from the Kadai used for frying, about 2 - 3 tbsp.
3. Add your dry spices, cardamom, and cloves into the oil and sauté for a minute and add in the chopped onion and sprinkle some salt and let it get translucent.
4. Next, add in the ginger-garlic paste and sauté till the raw smell disappears and add in the chopped tomatoes. Close and cook for 2 minutes.
5. Now add the powders - Turmeric, Chilli powder, tandoori masala powder, mix for a minute and pour in the water and let it boil for a couple of minutes and set aside.
6. Once cooled, grind in a mixer and strain to get the residual smooth paste.
7. Next in a pan /skillet add the butter and add in 2 tsp of Chilli powder to the butter for that rich color.
8. Now add the strained paste to the butter and once boiled add in the cream and salt.
9. Depending on the consistency pour in water if required.
10. Add in the dried Fenugreek leaves by placing it in your palm and rubbing your hands to make it into powder and add in a pinch of sugar to balance out the flavours.
11. Finally, add your fried chicken tikka to the Masala and let it boil for 5 minutes on simmer. Ta-da! Your Chicken Tikka Masala is ready to devour. 🤤🤤

Notes-

1. If you do not have tandoori chicken Masala feel free to use 1 tsp Coriander powder, 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp pepper powder, 1/2 tsp garam masala for the same.
2. Even though I cooked it spontaneously I had cleaned and marinated the chicken with salt earlier.
3. The oil is going to look burnt as the yogurt in the marination will turn black while frying, so do not pour in too much oil for frying.
4. For that charred look, I fried the chicken on a high flame in the last 2 minutes.

Do try this recipe and don't forget to share your experience/feedback with me here in the comments or feel free to send me a mail. Also, do tag me at #taystedit if you try out my recipes on Facebook, Instagram etc so that I can see when you make it. ♡♡♡♡