It’s not always easy to find authentic Indian recipes, but Executive Chef Harleen Kaur of Channi’s Kitchen knows her way around Indian spices, sauces, and cooking techniques. She has generously offered to share her version of TRUE Indian Chicken Tikka Masala, and this is a recipe you’ll want to bookmark. This recipe combines the bold flavors of garam masala, garlic and ginger with creamy yogurt and tomato. If you love Indian food you will love making this dish again and again!
INGREDIENTS
For the chicken marinade:
- 2pound boneless and skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon ginger
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili (or 1/2 teaspoon ground red chili powder)
- 1 teaspoon of salt
For the sauce:
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable/canola oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 small onions (or 1 large onion) finely diced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic finely grated
- 1 tablespoon ginger finely grated
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 14 oz (400g) tomato puree (tomato sauce/Passata)
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili (optional for color and flavor)
- 1 teaspoon ground red chili powder(adjust to your taste preference)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups of heavy or thickened cream(use evaporated milk for lower calories)
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/4 cup water if needed
- 4 tablespoons Fresh cilantro for garnishing.
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INSTRUCTIONS
- In a bowl, combine chicken with all of the ingredients for the chicken marinade; let marinate for 10 minutes to an hour (or overnight if time allows).
- Heat oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. When sizzling, add chicken pieces in batches of two or three, making sure not to crowd the pan. Fry until browned for only 3 minutes on each side. Set aside and keep warm. (You will finish cooking the chicken in the sauce.)
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Melt the butter in the same pan. Fry the onions until soft (about 3 minutes). Add garlic and ginger and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, then add garam masala, cumin, turmeric and coriander. Fry for about 20 seconds until fragrant, while stirring occasionally.
4:Pour in the tomato puree, chili powders and salt. Let simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens and becomes a deep brown red color.
5:Stir the cream and sugar through the sauce. Add the chicken and its juices back into the pan and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thick and bubbling. Pour in the water to thin out the sauce, if needed. Garnish with cilantro (coriander) and serve with hot basmati rice and fresh homemade Naan Bread.
Thank you and I hope you will like my recipe from my kitchen to yours!
Chef Harleen Kaur, Channi’s Kitchen
