Chicken Tikka Masala

My Entry for Dr. Sameena's - Chicken Recipe Event.

Chicken Tikka Masala is known to be the most famous Indian dish in Britain. It came to even more prominence when a UK foreign secretary proclaimed it to be 'Britain's true national dish'

The old story is that Chicken Tikka Masala, or CTM as it is known in short in UK, is one of those dishes that was invented for British palate by an astute Bangladeshi chef. It is said that when a customer in his restaurant was served Chicken Tikka, a well known Indian dish, he complained, “where is my gravy”? The chef called the dish back to the kitchen, just fried some sliced onion, ginger, garlic, added a little of tinned, Condensed Cream of Tomato Soup, a few more curry spices and sent it back to the ignorant customer. He loved it and Chicken Tikka Masala was born!

I am not aware of the authenticity of this story, but I found it interesting enough to share it with you all. This is my version of the well-known dish.

Ingredients :
Chicken : 750 grams - Cut into Cubes
Onions : 2 Sliced
Tomato : 2 Roughly Cut
Cumin Seeds : 1 tsp
Cloves : 7-8
Cinnamon : 1 Inch Stick
Black Cardamom : 1 Seeded
Nutmeg : 1/4 tsp
Bay Leaves : 2-3
Ginger : 1 inch piece Sliced
Garlic : 5-6 Cloves Sliced
Turmeric Powder : 1/2 tsp
Garam Masala : 1 tsp
Salt : To Taste
Coriander Leaves : For Garnishing
Cream (Optional) : 2 tbsp

For Marinade :
Yogurt : 1/2 Cup
Ginger Garlic Paste : 2 tsp
Lemon : 1 - Juice
Coriander Powder : 1 tsp
Tandoori Masala : 2 tsp
Red Chilli Powder : 1 tsp
Salt : To Taste
Oil



Recipe :
Take a Bowl. Mix all the ingredients of the marinade in the bowl. Whisk it well. Add the Chicken pieces and mix it well. All of chicken should be coated with marinate. Refrigerate it for atleast a hour.

Heat 5-6 tbsp Oil in a wok. Add Bay leaves, Cumin, cloves, cinnamon,cardamom and nutmeg. Let them splutter. Now add ginger and garlic and then the onions. saute till onions turn brown. Now add the tomatoes. Stir well and cook till tomatoes go soft. Now add the salt, turmeric and garam masala. Saute till oil leaves the sides. Remove from flame and let it cool completely. Now remove the bay leaves and keep aside. Make a paste of the onion and tomato masala in the blender / mixer.

Heat 2-3 tbsp oil in a wok. Add the marinated chicken in this. Cook till the chicken turns brown. Remove from the wok. Alternatively, you can also grill or barbecue the chicken.

In the same wok, add the onion tomato paste. Heat it up well. Now add the chicken in this and stir well. Add water as per desired consistency and cover the pan. Reduce flame and cook till the chicken is done. Now add the cream and stir well.

Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.