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Chicken Tikka Masala - The Best Recipe?

Chicken Tikka Masala

'Ome
One of the UKs favourite curries. This version uses a hotel style gravy to give a rich & tangy curry. This take on the classic recipe is robust enough to up the spiciness to your own taste.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

Chicken Tikka

  • 700 g boneless chicken breast or thigh
  • 1 tbsp tandoori masala
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • ½ tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tsp finely chopped garlic
  • 2 tsp finely chopped ginger
  • water enough to make a thick paste

Hotel gravy

  • 2 medium onions sliced
  • 1 clove garlic chopped
  • 1 tsp chopped ginger
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 2 tsp Makhani Masala
  • 400 g tinned chopped tomato
  • 200 ml water
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp sugar

Chicken Tikka Masala Curry

  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 4 tsp finely chopped ginger
  • 1 tbsp tandoori masala
  • 1 tbsp mild curry masala
  • 1 tbsp tomato puree diluted in 200 ml water
  • 1.5 tbsp coconut powder
  • 1 tbsp ground almonds
  • 1 tbsp lime or lemon juice
  • 1 tsp tamarind paste
  • 4 tsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp mango chutney
  • 150 ml double cream (Single or whipping can be used if preferred)
  • 2 tsp dried fenugreek leaf
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1 small green pepper finely diced
  • 2 - 4 small finger chillies (optional) sliced or left whole and split.
  • 1 tbsp flaked almonds (optional) toasted
  • 1 tbsp chopped coriander leaf

Instructions
 

Chicken Tikka

  • Mix all the marinade ingredients together
  • Dice the chicken in to roughly 1-inch pieces and add to the marinade. Leave for at least one hour. If leaving overnight, add the lime or lemon juice just before cooking.
  • To cook the tikka pre-heat a grill to moderate heat. heat a baking sheet or shallow roasting dish for 30 seconds under the grill. When hot add the chicken.
    place back under the grill, turn after 6 - 8 minutes and cook for another 6 - 8 minutes until nicely coloured.
    If the chicken isn't quite cooked through, don't worry it will finish off cooking in the curry.

Hotel Gravy

  • heat the oil in a heavy bottomed pan. Add the onions and cook on a moderate heat, stirring regularly, until turning a deep brown colour. If it looks like they are going to burn, turn the heat to the lowest.
  • Once the onions are brown, add the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute.
    Chicen Tikka Masala - The Best Recipe?
  • Add the makhani masala and cook for 40 seconds.
  • Add the tinned tomatoes, water, salt and sugar.
  • cook on a gentle heat for around 40 minutes then let cool slightly and blend with an immersion blender

Cooking The Curry

  • Put the coconut powder and ground almonds in a jug or bowl. Add enough hot water to make a loose paste.
    Chicken Tikka Masala sauce
  • Heat the oil in a pan or karahi.
  • Add the garlic and ginger and cook for around 30 seconds.
  • Turn the heat to the lowest and add the tandoori masala and curry masala. Cook for 40 seconds. If it's sticking add a splash of hot water.
  • Add the diluted tomato paste and reduce down to a thick paste.
  • Add the hotel gravy, stir and bring to a simmer.
  • Add the chicken tikka. Continue to cook gently for 10 minutes.
  • Add the paste of coconut powder and ground almonds and stir in.
  • Add the lime or lemon juice, salt, tamarind, mango chutney and dried fenugreek leaf and stir in.
  • Add the cream and stir in. bring back to a simmer and cook gently for 10 minutes.
  • Add all the other ingredients, keeping a little flaked almonds and coriander back to garnish if you want, heat through for a couple minutes before serving

Notes

I used paneer as well as chicken. If you want to just reduce the amount of chicken, you use. Or for a vegetarian version use all paneer. Paneer can be marinated and cooked in the tandoori masala, just like chicken.
I also used 'Ome Made Mango & Hurtberry Chilli Jam instead of mango chutney to give the dish some extra spice.
You can make it as hot as you like, a little Naga pickle along with the mango chutney would work well. 
 
Keyword B.I.R Chicken Tkka Masala, BIR, chicken, chicken curry, Chicken Tikka Masala, Creamy curry, Indian Hotel Curry Sauce, Restaurant
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