If you do not have garam masala available, you can follow this recipe to mill your own garam masala for the dish.
Happy Deepavali!
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
1kg chicken parts, cut into serving size (recommend to debone the chicken and use chicken thighs)
1cup plain or Greek yoghurt (full fat, unflavoured)
1.5tbsp minced garlic
1tbsp minced ginger
2tsp garam masala (search for my garam masala recipe to make your own)
1tsp tumeric powder
1tsp ground cumin
1tsp ground Kashmiri chilli (or ground red chilli powder)
1tsp salt
Tikka Sauce
2tbsp cooking oil
2tbsp butter
2 small Indian onions, diced (or 1 large yellow onion)
1.5tbsp garlic, minced / grated
1tsp old ginger, minced / grated
2tsp garam masala
2tsp cumin powder
1tsp turmeric powder
1tsp coriander powder
14oz tomato puree / passata (400g)
1tsp Kashmiri chili powder (optional for colour and heat)
1tsp red chili powder (adjust to taste)
1tsp salt
10oz heavy or thickened cream (replace with evaporated milk for healthier version)
1tsp brown sugar
2oz water (if required)
fresh cilantro / coriander (optional as garnish)
Instructions
Marinate the chicken
1
In a bowl, combine chicken parts with all of the ingredients for the chicken marinade.
Leave it to marinate for 1 hour (or overnight if time allows). Marinating it overnight produced a juicier and more tender chicken after cooking.
Fry the chicken
2
Heat oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken pieces in batches of two or three in a single layer, making sure not to crowd the pan.
Fry until lightly browned for about 2-3 minutes on each side (depending on the size and thickness of your chicken pieces).
Scrap up the brown bits leftover from frying the chicken and set aside.
Set aside and keep warm. You will finish cooking the chicken in the sauce.
Cook the chicken in the sauce
3
Melt the butter in the deep pan or wok. Fry the onions until soft and caramelised.
Add garlic and ginger and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the garam masala, cumin, turmeric and coriander powders. Fry for about 20 seconds until fragrant. Stir occasionally to prevent the spices from burning.
Pour in the tomato puree or passata, chili powders and salt. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens and becomes a deep brown red colour.
Stir in the cream and brown sugar until well combined.
Add the reserved fried chicken with its juices and brown bits into the sauce and simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thick and bubbling. Add in the water a little at a time to thin out the sauce, if needed.
Garnish with cilantro (coriander). Serve with hot garlic butter rice and fresh homemade Naan bread or prata!