Authentic Chicken Tikka Masala recipe

சிக்கன் டிக்கா மசாலா – Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken tikka masala is an all time favorite gravy for my family and friends. This recipe is suitable for dinner, small get together as well as big party. It takes little bit more time to cook but worth to spend your time. I tried this recipe first time with homemade Naan for my hubby’s birthday dinner. Everyone liked the taste and the combination. Our friends group usually likes to eat just the gravy not chicken pieces. But they liked the chicken in this gravy and finished all the chicken pieces first. I marinate the chicken with right ratio of spices and baked the chicken. Then I let the chicken absorb the gravy, so that we can get the juicy chicken.

Ingredients for Chicken Tikka Masala

For Grilling Chicken

Chicken – 500g
Curd (thick) – 1 cup
Turmeric – 1/4 tsp
Chilli powder – 1.5 tsp
Cumin powder – 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder – 1 tsp
Pepper powder – 1/2 tsp
Garam masala – 1 tsp
Ajwain – 1/2 tsp
Salt – 1/2 tsp
Kasturi methi – 2 tsp
Besan flour – 4 tbs
Oil – 3 tsp
Lemon juice – 4 tsp
Ginger garlic paste – 1.5 tbs
Bell pepper – 1/2
Onion (petals) – 1/2

For Gravy

Oil – 3 tbs
Cinnamon – 1 inch
Cardamom – 5
Bay leaf – 2
Cloves – 5
Cumin seeds – 2 tsp
Onion – 3 (finely chopped)
Ginger garlic paste – 1 tsp
Chilli powder – 2 tsp
Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
Cumin powder – 1 tsp
Tomato purée – 5 medium size tomatoes
Kasturi methi – 1 tsp
Coriander powder – 2 tbs
Garam masala – 1 tsp
Water – 1 cup
Salt as needed

Directions

Chicken Marination

Pour curd in a mixing bowl and add all the marination ingredients except chicken and veggies.
Mix everything well and make a paste consistency then add the chicken and veggies.
Marinate the mixture at least 1 hr.

Grilling Chicken in oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Insert Chicken and veggies in skewer as shown in the picture.
Place the skewers in a tray, spray some oil over the skewers and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
Change the oven settings to broil mode.
Broil the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes.
Take out the tray and let the chicken cool down.
You can grill the chicken in stove top as well.

Grilling Chicken in stove top

Heat a grilling iron skillet or dosa pan in medium flame.
Place the skewers and spray some oil.
Flip the skewers occasionally until chicken cooks.

Prepare Gravy

Heat a pot with oil and add cumin seeds, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and bay leaves.
Stir fry the spices little bit then add the chopped onion and garlic paste.
Saute the onion until golden brown then add the tomato purée and spices.
Mix everything together and cook the gravy in full flame until the it comes to paste consistency.
Now add the leftover marination spice and water into the gravy.
Let it cook the mixture for 5 minutes in full flame.
Now add the grilled chicken and veggies into the gravy.
Cover the pot and cook the gravy in low flame for 5 minutes.
Garnish the gravy with kasturi methi and cilantro leaves.
Chicken tikka masala ready.
Serve the gravy with chapathi or Naan.