Chicken Tikka (my recipe)

Chicken Tikka is one of my favourite things to eat (actually find me something that isn't?) so it's obvious that i would have a recipe for it.

Recently i posted a photo on Instagram of a chicken tikka biryani, Indian restaurant style and was asked for the recipe. I made the chicken tikka from scratch and this post is the recipe for that. My next post will be the biryani part.

Make sure the chicken does need to be marinated at least 6 hours for full on flavour.

I used:

1st marination:
400g chicken breast, cut into large cubes
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp methi leaves
Salt to taste

2nd marination:
6 cloves garlic
1 inch piece ginger
1 medium onion, cut in chunks
2 green chillies
1 handful coriander
1/8 tsp chilli flakes
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp chilli powder (adjust accordingly)
1 tsp garam masala powder
1/2 tsp paprika (optional)
1/2 tsp cumin powder
2 tbsp oil

Final ingredients:

4 tbsp yoghurt

1 tbsp tandoori masala powder

Red food colouring

1 tbsp gram flour

Method:

In a bowl, gather all the  ingredients for your first marination. Mix well together and put to one side.

In a blender/mixer, put all your second marination ingredients, and blend into a fine paste. Pour all this over your chicken pieces and mix well.

Then add your final ingredients, mix well again, cover and refridgerate for 6 hours at least.

(What the gram flour does is keep the marination stuck on the chicken pieces. That's a new thing i've learnt, and if you didn't know, so have you!)

Remove chicken 1 hour before cooking so it goes to room temperature. This prevents the outside cooking quicker than inside as it will be all one temperature.

Skewer the pieces on skewers (if using wooden skewers make sure you soak them in water for 15 minutes beforehand), and bake in the oven for 15 minutes, then turn over. (I would love to tell you at what temperature, but my oven is broken). Cook until juices run clear. Do not overcook otherwise they will become dry.

Alternatively, cook on a griddle pan with a little oil. Still comes out tasty.

And that is it! Serve in a pitta with mint yoghurt and salad, or use them in my next post, what i've been rambling about in this post, Chicken Tikka Biryani!

Hope you enjoy!

Yaz ♥