India Gate Chicken Butter Tikka Masala
Sauce Ingredients
4 Tbs. regular oil
2 medium tomatoes, roughly cut
1 medium onion, sliced
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
1 Tbs. ginger
1 Tbs. garlic paste
2-4 green cardamom
2-3 bay leaves
½ Tbs. turmeric
½ Tbs. Paprika
6 oz. heavy cream
Optional: red Kashmiri chili powder for taste and color
Spice Mix for Chicken Tikka Ingredients
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbs. turmeric
1 Tbs. ginger
1 Tbs. garlic paste
1 Tbs. methi (also known as fenugreek seeds)
2 Tbs. Oil
1 Tbs. Yogurt
1 Tbs. curry powder
½ Tbs. black pepper
1 Tbs. coriander and cumin powder, roughly crushed and mixed ahead of time
Chicken Tikka Ingredients
500 grams (about 1 lb. 6oz) boneless chicken, cut into pieces
1-2 Tbs. regular cooking oil for frying
1 ml water
1 small teacup (approx. 6 oz) Half and Half
1-2 Tbs butter
Sugar to taste
A little chopped garlic and ginger
(Note: Chicken with bone can be used, too)
Directions
Prepare the sauce using the ingredients listed under “Sauce”
First, add the cinnamon, ginger, garlic paste, turmeric, and paprika (and optional red chili powder)
to a food processor. Blend into a paste and set aside.
Next, add 4 Tbs. Regular oil to an 8” or 11” pan
Add green cardamom and the whole bay leaves to pan
Add the roughly-cut tomatoes
Add the sliced onion and season well with pepper
Give it a good stir, lower heat and leave until it gets brown
Add the paste to the pan, along with the 6oz of heavy cream, and stir well
Take off heat and let cool (at least 5 minutes)
Prepare the chicken tikka – spice mix
In large bowl, mix salt, turmeric, ginger and garlic paste, oil, yogurt, curry powder black pepper, coriander and cumin powder
Add chicken and mix, let sit for 10-15 minutes to marinate
Take a clean pan and add 1-2 Tbs. regular cooking oil
Fry marinated chicken for 5-10 minutes
Add the sauce to the chicken in pan (add 1 mL of water for desired consistency)
Mix until incorporated, add a little chopped garlic and ginger and cook for 1-2 minutes
Add half and half, stir well and cook for another 2-3 minutes
Add 1-2 Tbs of butter, stir until melted
Add a little bit of sugar, to taste