Chicken Tikka Masala (Butter Chicken)

Chicken Tikka Masala (Butter Chicken)

This recipe turns out better than those found in a restaurant. I like to use chicken thigh meat because I find the chicken breast in restaurant Tikka Masala is dry. This recipe is DELICIOUS!

Marinade:

6 garlic cloves

2 inches of peeled ginger (peel with a spoon and coarsely chopped)

1 small onion (coarsely chopped)

¼ tsp of cayenne pepper

¼ tsp of garam masala

1/3 cup of plain yogurt

1.5 TBSP cilantro chopped

3 chicken thighs deboned and cut crosswise into one-inch slices.

Sauce Ingredients:

1 large red onion roughly chopped

4 cloves of garlic

2 inches of ginger peeled with a spoon and chopped

1/3 cup of vegetable oil or ghee

2-inch piece of cinnamon stick

1 tsp of salt

1 TBSP ground coriander

1 tsp ground cumin

½ tsp turmeric

¼ tsp cayenne pepper

1 ½ pound can crushed tomatoes

¾ cup of heavy cream

Directions:

1. Add the marinade ingredients together, add the chicken and marinade for 1 hour to overnight.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a sauce pan over medium heat until the oil is shimmering.
3. Add the cinnamon stick and heat until the stick begins to unfurl (about 1-2 minutes).
4. Add the red onion and salt to the pan and cook until brown (about 20 minutes). When the onion begins to stick to the pan, add water a small splash at a time to release the onion bits from the pan and to keep the onion from burning.
5. Add the coriander, cumin, turmeric and pepper to the onions and stir to combine.
6. Add the crushed tomatoes while stirring and simmer for about 10 minutes.
7. Add the cream and stir until combined then remove from the heat and set aside.

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F

8. Line a baking pan with foil and place the chicken inside the pan.
9. Cover with foil and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until tender.
10. Add the chicken to the pan with the sauce and stir for five minutes over a medium heat until warmed through.
11. Salt to taste and serve hot over rice.
12. Delicious over Cumin Rice Pilaf    https://johncooks.com/cumin-rice-pilaf/

Makes about 12 servings.