Simple Hen Tikka Masala – Higher Than Takeout!

Hen Tikka Masala – tender chunks of spiced rooster swimming in a creamy, wealthy, tomato curry sauce. Higher than your favourite takeout, and sure, you’ll need further naan to soak all of it up.

There are cozy dinners… after which there’s Hen Tikka Masala. This isn’t simply “consolation meals” — it’s the form of dish that makes you shamelessly mop your plate clear with the final piece of naan and severely contemplate licking the bowl. No judgment right here.

Remo completely loves Hen Tikka Masala — it’s his go-to order at each Indian restaurant we go to. So naturally, he’s over the moon at any time when I make it at house. (And actually, seeing his face mild up when he smells it cooking is half the rationale I maintain making it.)

I’ve at all times been obsessive about Hen Tikka Masala too, however let’s be trustworthy — a number of do-it-yourself variations find yourself both too watery, too bland, or require 57 spices you’ll by no means use once more. This model? Pure restaurant-style magic — however streamlined for actual life, with elements you possibly can truly discover and steps that don’t require a PhD in Indian cooking.

Spoiler alert: you’re about to make the BEST Hen Tikka Masala to ever come out of your kitchen. (And possibly set off a curry habit. Sorry, not sorry.)

The Marinade Issues.

Don’t skip it, don’t rush it. That yogurt-based marinade is the place the magic occurs — it tenderizes the rooster and layers it with spices from the within out. Even simply an hour makes a distinction, however if in case you have time, let it sit in a single day. Your future self will thanks.

Char It for Taste.

Grilling or broiling the marinated rooster is vital. You need these little charred bits — they bring about that smoky, tandoori-style taste that makes Hen Tikka Masala style such as you obtained it from a legit Indian restaurant.

Use Good Tomatoes.

The sauce begins with canned crushed tomatoes, so use an excellent model you just like the style of. (Dangerous tomatoes = unhappy sauce.) In order for you an additional luxurious sauce, you possibly can even use San Marzano tomatoes. Passata can also be an important selection.

Heavy Cream vs. Yogurt?

Conventional recipes typically use yogurt to complete the sauce, however I’m a fan of heavy cream for that wealthy, silky texture. (Additionally, yogurt can curdle if you happen to’re not cautious. Heavy cream? Forgives all sins.)

Use Kashmiri Chili Powder.

It’s not tremendous spicy — it’s extra about wealthy shade and a mild heat. Should you swap it for normal chili powder, you’ll miss out on that deep purple hue and delicate smoky taste.

In a giant bowl, combine up the yogurt, lemon juice, all these beautiful spices, recent ginger, garlic, and salt. Toss within the rooster and provides it an excellent therapeutic massage — such as you’re sending it off to a spa retreat. Cowl and pop it within the fridge for at the very least 1 hour (in a single day is even higher if you happen to can swing it).

Thread the marinated rooster items onto skewers, then grill or broil them till they’re cooked via and simply beginning to get these irresistible little charred edges. That is the place a ton of that restaurant-style taste occurs, so don’t skip it! Set the rooster apart as soon as it’s cooked.

In a big skillet, soften the butter over medium warmth. Toss within the garlic, Kashmiri chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garam masala. Give all of it a fast stir — your kitchen ought to already be smelling outrageous at this level. Add the tomato sauce (or Passata) and let it simmer for a few minutes to wake every little thing up.

Pour within the heavy cream and decrease the warmth. Let the sauce simmer gently till it thickens up and will get all wealthy and dreamy — about 20 minutes. Stir it sometimes and check out to not eat it straight out of the pan. (No judgment if you happen to fail.)

Add the grilled rooster into that creamy sauce and let it simmer for one more 10 minutes, simply sufficient for the flavors to marry up and change into finest mates. Season with just a little extra salt if it wants it.

Garnish with recent cilantro and pile it over fluffy rice or scoop it up with heat naan bread. Put together for silence on the desk — everybody’s going to be too busy inhaling it to speak.

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Hen Tikka Masala

Prep 20 minutes minutes

Marinating Time 1 hour hour

Prepare dinner 40 minutes minutes

Whole 2 hours hours

Hen Tikka Masala — tender, marinated rooster swimming in a wealthy, creamy, spice-loaded tomato sauce. This do-it-yourself model delivers all the comfortable restaurant taste you like, with easy elements and no particular expertise required. Higher replenish on naan — you’re going to need to mop up each final drop.

Earlier than You Start! Should you make this, please depart a overview and score letting us know the way you preferred this recipe! This helps our enterprise thrive & proceed offering free recipes.

Directions 

• In a big bowl, combine collectively yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, cinnamon, Kashmiri chili powder, Tandoori masala, black pepper, ginger, garlic and salt. Stir within the rooster items, coating them evenly with the marinade. Cowl and refrigerate for at the very least 1 hour, or in a single day for finest outcomes.

• Preheat a grill or a broiler. Place rooster on skewers, discarding the marinade. Grill or broil the rooster, turning sometimes, till cooked via, about 10-Quarter-hour. Put aside.

• Warmth the butter in a big skillet over medium warmth. Add the garlic, Kashmiri chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garam masala. Add tomato sauce and cook dinner for two minutes, stirring incessantly. Stir within the cream and simmer on low warmth till sauce thickens, about 20 minutes.

• Add the grilled rooster, and simmer for 10 extra minutes. Season with salt to style.

• Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with cooked rice or heat naan bread.

Notes

1. Storage: Leftovers maintain properly within the fridge for as much as 4 days or freeze for as much as 3 months.
2. Reheating: Reheat gently on the range over low warmth, including a splash of cream or water if wanted to loosen the sauce.
3. Hen Thighs vs Breast: Thighs keep juicier and are tougher to overcook, however rooster breast works too if you happen to want — simply watch the cook dinner time intently.
4. Kashmiri Chili Powder: Provides stunning shade and mild heat. Should you can’t discover it, you possibly can substitute a mixture of paprika and a small pinch of normal chili powder.
5. Grill/Broil Tip: Control the rooster! You need just a little char for taste, however not a cremation ceremony.
6. Cream Substitute: You possibly can swap heavy cream with full-fat coconut cream if you would like a dairy-free model — it’ll give a barely completely different (however nonetheless scrumptious) taste.
7. Rice + Naan: This sauce calls for a carb to mop it up. Serve with fluffy basmati rice or my do-it-yourself [Naan Bread] for the complete expertise!

Diet Info

Serving: 1servingEnergy: 523kcal (26%)Carbohydrates: 11g (4%)Protein: 41g (82%)Fats: 35g (54%)Saturated Fats: 19g (119%)Polyunsaturated Fats: 3gMonounsaturated Fats: 10gTrans Fats: 0.3gLdl cholesterol: 246mg (82%)Sodium: 1054mg (46%)Potassium: 823mg (24%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 6g (7%)Vitamin A: 2086IU (42%)Vitamin C: 7mg (8%)Calcium: 157mg (16%)Iron: 4mg (22%)

Discover: Diet is auto-calculated in your comfort. The place related, we suggest utilizing your personal vitamin calculations.