Jen & I met at work some 14yrs ago. Recently, I have come to know that she & her husband Andy love Indian food and even make it at home. At least she makes Chicken Tikka Masala. I don't know where she got the recipe from but it was winner at my dinner table. So here, I am sharing it with you with a little tweak of my own. Like I say, I never follow a recipe to it's potential...I make it PERFECT!!!
Ingredients
4 Chicken Breasts – Clean & Cut into bite size pieces
1 Cup Plain Yogurt – Whipped
1 Tsp Ginger- grated
1Tbsp Lime Juice
2 Tsp Cumin Powder
2 Tsp Black Pepper Powder
2 Tsp Cayenne Pepper
1 Tsp Paprika
Salt to taste
Take the above ingredients and mix it well & let the chicken marinate for about 2- 3 hrs. Now you can either grill or bake the chicken on skewers. I noticed that this makes it dry. So, I take a skillet, add a table spoon of oil and the entire mixture along with the marinade and let it cook stirring gently until the chicken is cooked thoroughly. 10-15 minutes. While that is being cooked I get the sauce ready.
For the Sauce or Gravy
1 Tbsp Butter or Olive Oil
1 Tbsp Paprika
2 Tsp Cayenne
1 Tsp Black Pepper & ½ Tsp of Garam Masala
1 Serrano or Thai chili – thinly sliced
2 Cloves Garlic – Minced or Pressed (I press mine)
15 oz Tomato Puree – (Turns out Better if you Puree fresh peeled & seeded Tomatoes)
½ Cup Half & Half
½ Cup Whole Milk
1 Tbsp Sugar
Salt to taste & Cilantro for Garnish
Take a heavy bottom skillet or Dutch oven, add the butter/olive oil and toss in the chili & garlic. Make sure not to burn or brown the Garlic ( makes the sauce bitter) sauté for 10-15 seconds then add in the dry spices and stir until aromatic and gently add in the tomato puree. Let it come to a gentle boil and whisk in the half & half and milk together. Once this comes to a steady boil, let it simmer for 5 minutes. Now the chicken mixture can be added into this sauce and let it cook on medium heat for no more than 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a spoon full of thinned out sour cream!
You can enjoy this with Plain white Rice or use Pita bread for dipping!
