the Best Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala

A great British favorite!  If you love curry you will absolutely adore this dish! 

Serves 4

Prep time:  10 minutes (plus 24 hours marinating)

Cooking time: 20-25 minutes

Ingredients

For the Tikka Masala

2 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp ground cumin

Pinch of salt

1 tsp fenugreek

½ tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp mild chilli powder

2 tsp hot chilli powder

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp ground cardamom

1 tsp cloves

1 ½ tsp ground turmeric

For the Chicken

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp hot chilli powder

6 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

1 tsp soy sauce

2 tbsp olive oil

500g (1 lb 2oz) chicken breasts, cut into chunks

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1 large onion, finely sliced

2-3 tomatoes, blanched, peeled & finely chopped

400ml coconut cream

Salt & pepper for seasoning

Handful of fresh coriander, finely chopped

Basmati rice & Indian breads, for serving

Method

1.  Mix together all the spices for the tikka masala.

2.  To make the chicken, mix together 2 tsp of the tikka masala, a pinch of salt, smoked paprika, chilli powder, 5 garlic cloves, soy sauce and olive oil in a large bowl.  Coat the chicken pieces in the spices, cover and leave to marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

3.  Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and bring it to room temperature.  Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan until it begins to smoke.  Add the chicken until browned.  Remove from the pan and place on a warm plate.

4.  Add 2 large tsp of tikka masala to the oil in the frying pan with the onions, garlic and tomatoes, fry for 2-3 minutes, until the onions have softened.

5.  Add the coconut cream, mix through and add the chicken.  Cook the chicken 15-20 minutes whilst bringing the sauce to a simmer to allow it to thicken, season to taste.

7.  Serve the chicken tikka masala, basmati rice Indian breads and a sprinkling of fresh coriander... Delicious!