Tantalizingly Delicious: A Pakistani Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe
Whenever I think of Pakistani cuisine, the first thing that comes to mind is the aromatic and flavorful Chicken Tikka Masala. This classic dish is made with succulent chunks of chicken marinated in a zesty blend of spices and cooked in a fragrant tomato-based sauce.
But did you know that the flavor of this traditional dish has roots in British culinary influence? According to folklore, the recipe was developed during the British Raj as an accessible version of the more labor-intensive ‘Murgh Musallam’ – a Mughal curry consisting of stuffed spiced chicken. The adaptation of ingredients and cooking techniques to create an aromatic, creamy curry is what makes Pakistan’s Chicken Tikka Masala a special and unique dish.
Now that we’ve whet your appetite, let’s get to the recipe! Here’s all you’ll need to whip up this delicious Pakistani classic:
Ingredients
• 1 kg of Chicken Cubes
• 2 tablespoons of ginger-garlic paste
• 2 teaspoons of garam masala
• 1 teaspoon of cumin powder
• ½ teaspoon of red chili powder
• 2-3 tablespoons of yogurt
• 1 teaspoon of chaat masala
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• Salt to taste
For the Tikka Masala Sauce
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1½ teaspoon of cumin seeds
• 1 tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon of garam masala
• 1 teaspoon of kasoori methi
• 2 cups of tomato puree
• 1 cup of cream
Instructions
1. Marinate the chicken cubes by adding ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, cumin powder, red chili powder, salt, yogurt, chaat masala, lemon juice, and oil. Mix everything together, cover the bowl, and let it marinate for half an hour.
2. Heat the oil in a pan and add the cumin seeds. Once the seeds start to sizzle, add the ginger-garlic paste.
3. Cook until the ginger-garlic paste is golden-brown, then add the tomato paste and cook for a few minutes.
4. Add the turmeric powder, cayenne pepper, and garam masala and mix everything together. Pour in the tomato puree and cook for 10-15 minutes.
5. Once the sauce has thickened, add the cream and kasoori methi and let it cook for another 8-10 minutes.
6. Add the chicken to the gravy in batches and cook until the chicken cubes are cooked through.
7. Serve your Chicken Tikka Masala with naan, chapati, or rice and enjoy!
This classic Pakistani recipe became popular the world over, and I’m sure it’s easy to see why. The tender nuggets of chicken, the homemade masala sauce bursting with flavor – every bite of this delicious dish is like a punch of flavor.
Whether you’re a beginner or a kitchen pro, Chicken Tikka Masala is a great dish to try out. With a few ingredients and a dash of creativity, you’ll create something that tastes like it came from an upscale restaurant. Enjoy!