Chicken Tikka is a popular Indian dish known for its tender and flavorful grilled chicken. It is made by marinating boneless, skinless chicken pieces in yogurt and spices, such as ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, and garam masala. After marinating for hours or overnight, the chicken is threaded onto skewers and grilled over high heat until cooked through and slightly charred. The dish can be cooked in a tandoor, barbecue grill, oven, or stovetop grill pan. It is often served with lemon wedges, sliced onions, and fresh cilantro as garnishes and can be enjoyed alone or paired with naan bread, rice, or salad. Chicken Tikka Masala is a variation with a rich tomato-based sauce. It is a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit different tastes and preferences.
Here’s a classic Chicken Tikka recipe for you:
Ingredients:
For the marinade:
– 500gm of skinless, boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into small pieces.
– 1 cup plain yogurt
– 2 tablespoons lemon juice
– 2 tablespoons ginger garlic paste (made from equal parts minced ginger and garlic)
– 1 tablespoon paprika or Kashmiri red chili powder (for color)
– 1 tablespoon ground cumin
– 1 tablespoon ground coriander
– 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
– 1 teaspoon garam masala
– Salt to taste
– 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
For cooking and serving:
– Vegetable oil or ghee for grilling
– Chopped cilantro leaves for garnish
– Lemon wedges
– Onion slices
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, ginger garlic paste, paprika or red chili powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric powder, garam masala, salt, and vegetable oil. mix well to make a smooth marinade.
2. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, making sure they are well coated. Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
3. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. To keep wooden skewers from burning, soak them in water for around half an hour.
4. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, leaving a little space between each piece.
5. To keep them from sticking, oil the grill grates. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, or until the chicken is cooked through and has nice char marks on all sides.
6. Once cooked, remove the skewers from the grill and let the chicken tikka rest for a few minutes.
7. Serve the chicken tikka hot, garnished with chopped cilantro leaves and lemon wedges. You can also serve it with sliced onions and your favorite dipping sauce or chutney.
Enjoy your delicious Chicken Tikka as an appetizer or main course with naan, rice, or salad on the side.
This recipe can also be prepared using an oven broiler or stovetop grill pan if you don’t have an outdoor grill. Adjust the cooking time accordingly based on your cooking method.