Welcome to the rich and aromatic world of Heritage Chicken Tikka Delight! This recipe captures the essence of traditional Indian flavors and brings them seamlessly into your kitchen, perfect for a cozy night in or an impressive dinner party dish. Let's dive in and create a dish that's sure to become a staple in your home.
The backbone of our marinade is plain yogurt, which tenderizes the chicken while adding a tangy note. Lemon juice brightens up the marinade and enhances the spices. The spice trio of ground cumin, ground coriander, and garam masala brings warmth and complexity, while turmeric adds color and earthy undertones. For those who enjoy a little heat, cayenne pepper kicks it up a notch. The vegetable oil helps in cooking the onion to a beautiful golden brown, and fresh ginger adds a zingy freshness. Rounding it off, the tomato sauce and heavy cream create a luscious base for the chicken, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro at the end offers a burst of herbal brightness.
This Chicken Tikka pairs beautifully with fluffy basmati rice or warm naan bread. A side of cucumber raita can also add a cool, refreshing element to your meal. For a full feast, consider serving it with a simple salad of sliced onions and tomatoes dressed with lemon juice.
Start by mixing the marinade ingredients in a bowl: add yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, garam masala, turmeric, and cayenne pepper. Stir until well combined. Cut your chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and add them to the marinade, making sure each piece is fully coated. Cover and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour—overnight if you want those flavors to really soak in.
When you’re ready to cook, preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers and lay them out on a baking sheet. Bake them in the oven for about 20 minutes, turning them halfway through to ensure they cook evenly.
While the chicken is baking, grab a large pan and heat up the vegetable oil over medium heat. Toss in the finely chopped onion and sauté until it turns a lovely golden brown. Then, add the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking until their aromatic fragrance fills your kitchen.
Pour in the tomato sauce and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes to let all the flavors meld beautifully. Once the chicken is done, add it to the sauce, making sure every piece is coated in that creamy, spiced goodness. Let it all simmer together for another 5 minutes.
Before serving, sprinkle a generous amount of fresh cilantro on top for that final touch.
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