Easy to Make Chicken Tikka

Grilled yogurt-marinated chicken skewers with delicious South Asian spices!

Easy to Make Chicken Tikka

Prep time: 2 to 12 hours

Cooking time: 12 to 20 minutes

Serves 6 to 8 people

This is just Chicken Tikka Masala but without the creamy spiced curry sauce. Instead, the chicken is grilled and served sauceless.

A must in anyone's culinary repertoire! This easy-to-make curry dish is just so full of amazing flavors and packs a punch!

I love curry. I love the spices. I love the aroma. I love how simple it is but how amazing the results are. It is one of my favorite types of food: satisfying and purely delicious.

You can use your oven or a grill to make this recipe.

For the Chicken Tikka Masala recipe click here.

What is Chicken Tikka?

Chicken tikka is a dish of skewed roasted chicken (chicken tikka) that has been marinated in a spiced yogurt.

What is the flavor profile?

Layered. Full of exotic spices. Complex. Spicy. Vibrant. Tangy.

What ingredients will I need to make Chicken Tikka?

Chicken breast, plain yogurt, spices (curry powder, garam masala, turmeric, cardamon, coriander), ginger paste, garlic paste, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.

What else will I need to make this dish?

A non-reactive bowl, measuring cups and spoons, a baking tray, parchment paper, a cutting board, a knife, wooden skewers, an oven or a grill.

Can I make substitutions?

Yes. You can substitute the plain yogurt with plain Greek yogurt or a non-dairy yogurt substitute.

You can also use fresh ginger and garlic instead of the store-bought paste.

What is Garam Masala?

Garam Masala is a blend of ground spices, originating from South Asia, common in Indian, Nepalese, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan and Afghan cuisines. It is used alone or with other seasonings.

A typical Indian version of garam masala contains (with Hindi names in parenthesis):

• Bay leaves (tej patta)

• Black and white peppercorns (kali/safed mirch)

• Cloves (laung)

• Cinnamon or cassia bark (darchini)

• Mace (outer covering of nutmeg) (javitri)

• Black and green cardamom pods (elaichi)

• Cumin (jeera)

• Coriander (dhania)

• Red chili powder (laal mirch)

Let's make it!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 to 4 pounds of chicken breast or deboned chicken thighs

• 2 cups of plain yogurt or plain greek yogurt

• 2 teaspoons of Garam Masala

• 1 tablespoon of curry powder

• 2 teaspoons of ground cardamon

• 2 teaspoons of ground coriander

• 1 tablespoon of garlic paste

• 1 tablespoon of ginger paste

• 1 teaspoon of turmeric

• 1 teaspoon of salt

• 1 teaspoon of pepper

• Skewers (metal or wooden)

Method

1. Debone and cut the chicken breasts into small 1 1/2" cubes.

2. In a non-reactive pan, add all the marinade ingredients together. Incorporate well and then add the chicken. Make sure the chicken is saturated with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate anywhere from 2 hours to 12. The longer the chicken marinates, the better the flavor.

3. Set the oven to broil.

4. If using wooden skewers, soak the skewers in water for 15 minutes.

5. Remove the chicken from the marinade and shake off any excess marinade.

6. Removed the skewers form the water and carefully insert 5 pieces of chicken on each. Place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

7. If using an oven: place tray in the oven, about 10 to 12 inches away from the top, and cook chicken for 12 minutes. Turn chicken half way (after 6 minutes). Once cooked, remove from the oven and set aside.

8. If grilling the chicken: set the grill on medium high. Grease the grill. Cook the chicken for 20 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes. Once cooked, remove from the grill and set aside.

9. Serve with rice and garnish with fresh cilantro.

Enjoy!!!

Printable PDF Recipe File below:

Easy to Make Chicken Tikka .pdf

Download PDF • 14.43MB