To make Indian Tikka Masala, you will need the following ingredients:
For the chicken marinade:
* 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
* 1/2 cup plain yogurt
* 1 tablespoon minced garlic
* 1 tablespoon grated ginger
* 1 teaspoon garam masala
* 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the tikka sauce:
* 2 tablespoons butter or ghee
* 1 onion, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 tablespoon grated ginger
* 1 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
* 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
* 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
* 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
* 1/2 cup chicken broth
* 1/4 cup heavy cream
* Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, combine the chicken marinade ingredients. Mix well to coat the chicken. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
2. While the chicken is marinating, heat the butter or ghee in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for another minute.
3. Add the cumin, garam masala, turmeric, and chili powder to the pan and cook for another minute. Add the diced tomatoes and chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
4. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
6. Add the grilled chicken to the tikka sauce and stir to coat. Serve immediately with rice or naan bread.
Tips:
* For a richer flavor, use yogurt made from whole milk.
* If you don’t have garam masala, you can substitute a mixture of ground cumin, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves.
* To make the sauce thicker, you can puree it in a blender or food processor before adding the cream.
* If you want a spicier tikka masala, add more chili powder or a chopped red chili pepper to the sauce.
* Serve with your favorite toppings, such as chopped cilantro, grated Parmesan cheese, or a dollop of yogurt.
Enjoy!