Aarti Sequeira Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

Delicious Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe by Aarti Sequeira

Chicken Tikka Masala is a classic Indian dish that is often served as an entrée in Indian restaurants. It is a dish of roasted chicken pieces simmered in a creamy, aromatic sauce. This recipe, by Aarti Sequeira, is a delicious, authentic version of the dish. The recipe makes enough to feed 4-6 people, and it is sure to be a hit at your next dinner party.

Ingredients

For the marinade:

- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons grated garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro
- 1 teaspoon salt

For the sauce:

- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons garam masala
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro, plus extra for garnish
- 2 teaspoons salt

Instructions

1. Begin by making the marinade. In a medium bowl, combine the grated ginger, garlic, cumin, garam masala, lemon juice, yogurt, vegetable oil, cilantro and salt. Mix until combined.

2. Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl and pour the marinade over the top. Mix until all the chicken pieces are coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.

3. When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and arrange the chicken pieces on the sheet. Bake for 25 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through, or until cooked through.

4. To make the sauce, heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and cook for 1 minute.

5. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic, ginger, tomato paste, garam masala, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

6. Add the crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.

7. Add the heavy cream and cilantro and stir to combine. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

8. Add the cooked chicken pieces to the sauce and simmer for 5 minutes, or until chicken is heated through.

9. Serve with warm naan bread or basmati rice and garnish with extra cilantro. Enjoy!

Nutrition

This Chicken Tikka Masala recipe is packed with flavor and nutrition. Each serving contains approximately 573 calories, 38 grams of fat, 33 grams of protein, and 25 grams of carbohydrates. It is also a good source of fiber, vitamins and minerals.

The dish is also high in sodium, so it is important to watch your intake if you are trying to limit your sodium intake. You can reduce the sodium content of the dish by reducing the amount of salt used in the marinade and sauce.

Overall, this is a great dish to serve at your next dinner party. It is easy to make, full of flavor, and nutritious. Enjoy!