I made this Chicken Tikka Masala using Smelly Proof bags, sent to me as a gift for review purposes.
Those who know me know that I’m not a chicken person. But, since I started cooking for my friends, chicken is always in high demand. Some of the dishes people request the most are my Chicken Polvorosa (a delicious Venezuelan chicken pot pie, very similar to my Albacore Tuna Polvorosa), chicken soup and more recently this Chicken Tikka Masala…
The reason, I guess, is chicken tikka masala is a flavorful, spicy, delicious, hearty dish, hard to resist. Even if this recipe is associated with the Indian cuisine, its origins can be traced in the United Kingdom. There was a time in which Pakistani chefs used to dominate Indian restaurants. It seams the dish was created by one of those chefs.
In fact, Chicken Tikken Masala is so popular in the UK, that is considered a “national” dish. It symbolizes the way British have absorbed and incorporated to their diet the flavors and cooking techniques from other cultures.
I learned how to make this chicken tikka masala by chance. Last November, cooking with Patty, my blogger friend from juntossabemejor.com, she made it. People tasted it. They love it. And now they keep asking me for more.
A star is born…
This recipe has been a great discovery for me. It has been my very first introduction to the exotic flavors of the Indian gastronomy, garam masala and a new way to combine spices including cumin, coriander, bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, cayenne and cardamom.
Chicken tikka literally means chicken bits. This is a Punjabi dish popular not only in the Punjab region in India, but also in Bangladesh and Pakistan. It consists in small, boneless chicken pieces, marinated in a yogurt and Indian spices sauce, and then cooked in skewers in a tandoor clay oven.
To marinate the chicken I used one of my pretty convenient Smelly Proof storage bags. They are made in America, hand washable and reusable, leak proof, durable, nylon reinforced, BPA-free and FDA approved. They come in seven sizes and, after using them with all the Indian spices, I have to say they are smelly proof.
Now back to my chicken. Chicken tikka masala is chicken tikka, that once has been cooked in the skewers, is served in a masala sauce. I would say there are as many masala recipes as cooks in the world. The masala in Patty’s blog inspired this recipe. I only changed the cooking method.
This masala consists of chunks of onion, red bell peppers, slivered almonds and golden raisins, seasoned with garam masala and roasted. Then, everything is liquefied with tomatoes to create a delicious smooth and thick gravy, well complimented with crème fraîche for a really creamy delight.
How to make the easiest chicken tikka masala ever
I cook for third parties, therefore I have to make a lot of chicken at a time. Instead of cooking the chicken in skewers, I save time by roasting it in baking sheets conveniently covered with parchment paper (you can also cover them with a silicon mat). In addition, I also roast the veggies, almonds and raisins for the masala in baking sheets. Then I set the timer and I don’t have to be standing by the stove. Bingo!
Regarding garam masala, the mixture of Indian spices used in this recipe, I substitute it by adding a pinch of the following spices: cloves, black pepper, and cardamom, plus a a double pinch of cinnamon, to both the yogurt marinate and the masala gravy.
I hope you like this recipe as much as my family and friends do. Served over a bed of basmati rice, this chicken tikka masala will make you feel like you’re dinning in your favorite Indian restaurant and thank God for diversity… because variety is the spice of life!
Chicken Tikka Masala
Ingredients
For the Chicken Tikka
- 2 lbs. of chicken breasts, diced in 1-inch cubes
- ½ cup of plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons of fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons of fresh garlic, mashed
- 2 teaspoon of coriander
- 2 teaspoon of paprika
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- ¾ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- ¾ teaspoon of turmeric
- 1 pinch of cloves
- 1 pinch of black pepper
- 1 pinch of cardamom
- 2 pinches of cinnamon
- 1½ teaspoons of pink salt from the Himalayas
- 2 tablespoons of fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
For the Masala
- 1½ cups of red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup of yellow onion, coarsely chopped
- 1/3 cup almonds, slivered
- 1/3 cup golden raisins
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1 pinch of cloves
- 1 pinch of black pepper
- 1 pinch of cardamon
- 1 pinch of cayenne pepper
- 2 pinches of cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon of pink salt from the Himalayas
- 1/3 cup of crème fraîche
Instructions
- In a bowl, add the yogurt, garlic, ginger and all the dry spices for the chicken tikka and mix until well combines. Add the cilantro leaves and stir.
- Place the chicken cubes in a storage bag; add the yogurt and spice sauce. Make sure all the chicken is covered by the sauce. Refrigerate to marinate for al least 30 minutes, but no more than 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350˚F and cover two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicon mats.
- In a bowl, combine all the ingredients for the masala (but the tomatoes, the crème fraîche, salt and cilantro leaves), and stir to combine. Spread this mixture in one of the baking sheets.
- Place the chicken pieces one by one in the other baking sheets.
- Place both baking sheets in the me medium rack of the oven and bake for 30 minutes. In the case of the veggies, stir twice during the process.
- Put the oven in low broil temperature, and broil for 3-5 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and the veggies are well done. Take both sheets out of the oven.
- Place the roasted veggies in the vase of a blender, add the tomatoes and liquefy until thick and smooth.
- In a cauldron or deep pan over medium heat, add the masala, salt and crème fraîche and stir.
- Add the chicken and combine. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Serve over a bed of basmati rice and sprinkle with fresh cilantro leaves.
Did you make this recipe?
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I am a writer who cooks or a cook who writes: the order of the qualities does not alter the product. Since 2010 I made SAVOIR FAIRE the place where my two passions converge and now I develop recipes professionally and work as a strategist and creator of digital content, including the production of cooking videos.
Tikka Masala has got to be my favorite recipe ever! All those spices paired with the sauce is out of this world
Yesssss! Now it’s a staple in my kitchen too…
The dish looks mouth watering. Color looks so amazing. I am feeling hungry. I would love to try this at home
Thank you Sundeep!
This looks so delicious! I have never made chiken tikka recipe my own. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for visiting Bindu…
I’ve been looking for a good tikka recipe – might give it a go during the week. Will prob grill them on bbq but the rest looks spot on
Thank you! Nothing can beat grilling. The only reason I bake this chicken is because a do a lot of chicken at a time. Again, thank you for visiting.
It’s lovely to have a fool proof recipe that works well and you enjoy.
Yes, my dear!
This looks so good! I haven’t tried anything like this before, but I’ll definitely have to give this recipe a try this week. Thanks for sharing!
Awwww thank you Nicole!
One of my absolute favorites! And I love this easier cooking method.
Yessss!
That chicken tikka masala looks so so delicious. It’s by far one of my favorite Indian cuisine dishes. I’ve made it at home believe it or not, but now I have a new recipe to try! Thank you.
Go for it mi Wendy Wine and thank you for visiting!
Wow, that does look really delicious! I would love to cook this for dinner tonight!
Yesssssss! You’ll love it!
Totally gonna save this for future use! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you! This a great recipe, indeed!
I love chicken tikka masala and this recipe looks amazing! I’d love to try it at home!
Go for it! This is really good. Trust me!
Wow! This really looks delicious and yummy.
Thank you Gideon!
I am always on the lookout for delicious chicken recipes because my son loves to eat chicken. That Chicken Tikka Masala sounds really flavorful and tasty.
Thank you Chelle. How old is your son? This a little bit spicy, so please take that into consideration…
I am a Punjabi and we, Indians adore Chicken Tikka. Being from Lucknow, that was once the capital city of the Mughal emperors who came to India, these chicken dishes are not only favourites but also hold history here. I am so glad you enjoy Chicken Tikka masala and I loved your recipe. Thanks for sharing.
I’m in awe, You made my day Nijkinny!
Oh wow! I never knew that the masala was made with raisins. I do love the idea of the smelly proof bag, what an invention. The contrasting colours are so vibrant. I will eat the veg but not the chicken but I will also love to try making the masala at home but with tofu.
Great idea! I’m not a chicken person… I thinks this masala will go great with roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes or cauliflower!
Chicken Tikka Masala is one of my fav dishes. Your pics have come out so well. I can now try this recipe sooner.
Thank you so much!
This is a delicious looking dish! The recipe seems simple enough but I nerd to rope my mother in law in to help! I am like your friends I love chicken and love it when others cook for me lol
Hahahaha! Smart girl!
I love chicken tikka masala and is a staple at my house! I had no idea it was the national food of the UK; I will have to try this recipe. we have some milk allergies in my family so I usually sub the yogurt for coconut milk. Can I do that in this recipe?
I haven’t try it but everything with coconut milk is just delicious! So go ahed and let me know the result!
I love Chicken tikka masala but I have never actually tried making it at home. This looks like an awesome and easy to follow recipe
Yesssss! It’s so tasteful! You’ll love how easy is this recipe Jessica!
This looks so amazing! It’s been ages since I’ve had chicken tikka masala, so I need to make this for sure.
Yessssss!
Those smelly proof bags sound awesome. This chicken tikka masala is a recipe that my husband would love!
The Smelly bags are super cool: washable and reusable! And chicken you HAVE to do it Tara! You’ll love it!
All Indians are so gaga over chicken Tikka Masala. Unfortunately, I’m a vegetarian and have no experience of eating it. But as it seems the best ever, going to share it with some friends!!
Thanks for sharing my dear! You made my day with the gaga thing. I’m not a chicken person but I must confess the spices and also the masala keep drooling!
OK now this sounds absolutely delicious! I have to admit i love a good tikka masala and I definitely need to try the best recipe EVER!
Thank you Sarah! I guarantee you’ll this one! Go for it!
Wow Enri! Esta Chicken Tikka Masala se ve súper provocativo!
Gracias mi Leti! Esta receta ahora es una fija en mi cocina!
Esta receta me parece una delicia!
Lo es Odile, lo es!
Oooh that looks so good! I’ve been really bored with food lately, may need to try this out!
Go for it! You’ll be happy! Never a dull bite!
It looks so tasty! Thank you for the recipe, I love Indian food
This one, you’ll love it!
You have made me die of the craving! What a beautiful Chikken Tikka Masala recipe!
Thank you Maria Carolina!
El color y la cremosidad me encantan. Y con ese arrocito. La gloria!
No es por nada pero queda mundial este pollito!
This sounds delicious! We have a big Indian population where I live and I have tried some of their food and it’s so yummy. I think jn a way it is similar to Mexican cuisine. Thank you for the tip in the bags, they sound like a good item to have on hand.
Blanquita this is my first Indian recipe and I think the spices got me. I agree this gastronomy is similar to the Mexican one in the sense they are not afraid of using and combining spices and chiles. However, the resulting flavors are so unique and different. About the bags, they are amazing really reusable, smelly proof and made in the USA!