Recipe courtesy of Suvir Saran

Chicken Tikka Masala

Name: Chicken Tikka Masala
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H45M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT2H0M0.000S
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: indian
Ingredients: 1 small onion; 1 2-inch piece of ginger; 4 cloves garlic; 1/4 cup plain yogurt; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1/4 teaspoon garam masala; 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut crosswise into thirds; 2 medium red onions; 1 2.5-inch piece of ginger; 4 cloves garlic; 1/3 cup canola oil; 1 cinnamon stick; 1/2 teaspoon turmeric; 1 tablespoon coriander; 1 teaspoon cumin; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne; 1 1/2 lbs s tomatoes, puréed in a food processor, may substitute plain canned tomato purée; Salt to taste; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 2 tablespoons cilantro stems, optional

6 Reviews

Level: Intermediate
Yield: 6 servings
Nutritional Analysis

Per Serving

Serving Size

1 of 10 servings

Calories

272

Total Fat

15

Saturated Fat

4

Carbohydrates

13

Dietary Fiber

3

Sugar

5

Protein

23

Cholesterol

83

Sodium

532

Total: 2 hr
Active: 45 min

Chicken tikka masala is meant to be rich and buttery. Chef Saran begins by marinating chicken in yogurt with ginger, garlic, cayenne, and garam masala before simmering it in cream with cinnamon and other spices.

Ingredients

Marinade

1 small onion

1 2-inch piece of ginger

4 cloves garlic

1/4 cup plain yogurt

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon garam masala

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut crosswise into thirds

Sauce

2 medium red onions

1 2.5-inch piece of ginger

4 cloves garlic

1/3 cup canola oil

1 cinnamon stick

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

1 tablespoon coriander

1 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

1 1/2 lbs s tomatoes, puréed in a food processor, may substitute plain canned tomato purée

Salt to taste

1/2 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons cilantro stems, optional

Directions

Peel and chop onion, garlic, and ginger. Place in a food processor along with the yogurt, cayenne and garam masala. Process until smooth. Combine the marinade with the chicken and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Once chicken has marinated, place in a single layer on a drip tray set over rimmed baking sheet (or a foil-lined baking sheet). Bake 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile, make the sauce: Peel and cut the onion into large chunks, peel and chop the ginger, and smash the garlic with a knife to remove the skin. Place the onion, ginger, and garlic in a food processor and puree, then set aside. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add oil, followed by the cinnamon stick. Add onion mixture and stir. Add a teaspoon of salt and continue stirring.
Continue cooking for 20 minutes until the mixture turns a light golden brown. Keep a cup of water beside the stove while the onion cooks. When the onion begins to stick, add water, about 1 teaspoon at a time, and scrape the bottom of the pan to pull up the brown bits and keep the onion from burning. Add turmeric, coriander, cumin, and cayenne; mix and cook for a minute or two. Add a bit more water and continue stirring. Stir in tomato puree and season to taste with salt. Stir in the cream, turn off the heat and set aside.
Place cooked chicken into the sauce and gently mix in the pan over low heat. Mince cilantro stems, sprinkle on top, and serve.