Introduction
What to expect
Tender yogurt-marinated chicken in a spiced tomato-cream sauce, beloved on British curry house menus.
The story
Behind the recipe
Chicken tikka masala is a curry of roasted marinated chicken in a creamy spiced sauce, widely thought to have been created in Britain. The most famous origin story credits Ali Ahmed Aslam at the Shish Mahal restaurant in Glasgow in the 1970s, who improvised a tomato-cream sauce for a customer who found dry chicken tikka too bland. The dish descends from Mughal-era chicken tikka cooked in a tandoor. In 2001 British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook called it "a true British national dish," and it has become a global symbol of British multicultural cuisine.
Method
Instructions
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1
Cut chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and coat with yogurt and half the spices.
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2
Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for deeper flavor.
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3
Broil or grill the marinated chicken until charred in spots and cooked through.
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4
Saute minced garlic, ginger, and remaining spices in oil until fragrant.
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5
Add tomato puree and simmer for 15 minutes until slightly thickened.
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6
Stir in cream, then fold the cooked chicken into the sauce.
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7
Simmer gently for 10 minutes, adjust seasoning, and serve with rice or naan.
Adaptations