Spiced Chicken Tikka Masala with Aromatic Jasmine Rice
Dive into a fusion of bold flavors with this Spiced Chicken Tikka Masala, my personal twist on a beloved classic. Marinated to perfection in a zesty yogurt and spice blend, the tender chicken cubes are grilled to smoky goodness and bathed in a rich and creamy tomato sauce, enriched further with fragrant spices. Served alongside seasoned jasmine rice, each bite delivers a delightful balance of warmth and comfort. This dish can be adjusted to suit your heat preference; simply add more red pepper or diced jalapeño for an extra kick. Great for gatherings or a family dinner, this recipe promises to be a favorite!
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
21
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chicken breasts
1 1/2 lbs (Trimmed of fat and cut into 1-inch cubes.)
Plain nonfat yogurt
2 cups (For marinating.)
Lemon juice
1/4 cup (Freshly squeezed.)
Cumin
1 tablespoon (Ground.)
Ground red pepper
1/4 teaspoon (Adjust according to taste.)
Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (Ground.)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (To taste.)
Ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (To taste.)
Butter
2 tablespoons (Divided for sauce and rice.)
Garlic cloves
5 cloves (Finely minced (4 for the sauce, 1 for the rice).)
Tomato sauce
3 (8-ounce) cans (For the base of the curry.)
Ground coriander
2 tablespoons (Ground.)
Paprika
2 tablespoons (For flavor and color.)
Garam masala
3 tablespoons (For enhanced spice blend (2 for sauce, 1 for rice).)
Heavy whipping cream
1 cup (For creaminess in the sauce.)
Fresh cilantro
1/2 cup (Finely chopped, for garnish.)
Sliced green onion
1/4 cup (For rice topping.)
Onion
1/2 cup (Diced.)
Jasmine rice
2 cups (For serving.)
Water
3 1/2 cups (For cooking rice.)
Whole cloves
4-5 (For infusing with rice.)
Instructions
1
Start by trimming any excess fat from the chicken breasts and cutting them into 1-inch cubes.
2
In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, ground red pepper, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken pieces, making sure they are well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to marinate.
3
In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4
Add the tomato sauce, coriander, cumin, paprika, and 2 tablespoons of garam masala. Stir well, lower the heat, and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
5
Reduce heat and mix in the heavy whipping cream. Allow the sauce to simmer gently while you prepare the chicken.
6
Preheat your grill or broiler. Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers and grill or broil them, turning occasionally, until fully cooked, approximately 8-10 minutes.
7
Once thoroughly cooked, remove the chicken from the skewers and add it to the simmering sauce, along with the chopped cilantro. Let it simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
8
For the jasmine rice, in a medium saucepan, heat the remaining tablespoon of butter. Add the diced onion, sliced green onion, and the remaining garlic. Sauté until soft, about 2-3 minutes.
9
Stir in the jasmine rice and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, allowing it to absorb the flavors.
10
Add the water, garam masala, cumin, paprika, ground red pepper, whole cloves, and salt. Bring to a boil.
11
Reduce the heat, cover, and let it simmer for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, turn off the heat and let it sit, covered, for another 10 minutes.
12
Before serving, remove the whole cloves from the rice.
13
Serve the Chicken Tikka Masala over the seasoned jasmine rice, garnished with additional cilantro and sliced green onions if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spiced Chicken Tikka Masala with Aromatic Jasmine Rice?
It is a fusion dish featuring marinated, grilled chicken cubes bathed in a rich, creamy tomato sauce infused with fragrant spices, served alongside seasoned jasmine rice.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields approximately 8 servings.
How long should the chicken be marinated?
The chicken should be marinated in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
What are the ingredients in the chicken marinade?
The marinade consists of plain nonfat yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, ground red pepper, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper.
How should the chicken be prepared before marinating?
Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts and cut them into 1-inch cubes.
Can I adjust the spiciness of this dish?
Yes, you can increase the heat by adding more red pepper or diced jalapeño to suit your preference.
What is used to make the tikka masala sauce creamy?
One cup of heavy whipping cream is added to the tomato and spice base to provide richness and creaminess.
What spices are used in the Tikka Masala sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with coriander, cumin, paprika, and garam masala.
How is the chicken cooked?
The marinated chicken is threaded onto skewers and then grilled or broiled for about 8-10 minutes until fully cooked.
What type of rice is recommended for this recipe?
Aromatic jasmine rice is used for this dish.
How is the jasmine rice seasoned?
The rice is cooked with butter, onion, garlic, garam masala, cumin, paprika, ground red pepper, and whole cloves.
Why are whole cloves added to the rice?
Whole cloves are used to infuse the jasmine rice with a deep, aromatic flavor during the cooking process.
Should I remove the whole cloves from the rice before serving?
Yes, the cloves should be removed from the rice before it is served.
How long does the rice need to cook?
The rice should simmer for 20 minutes and then sit covered for an additional 10 minutes off the heat.
What are the recommended garnishes for this dish?
You can garnish the dish with additional fresh cilantro and sliced green onions.
How many garlic cloves are needed in total?
A total of 5 garlic cloves are used: 4 for the sauce and 1 for the rice.
What kind of tomato base is used for the curry?
The recipe uses three 8-ounce cans of tomato sauce.
Is butter used in both the sauce and the rice?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of butter are divided between the sauce and the rice preparation.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 21 ingredients used in this recipe.
What type of yogurt is used for the marinade?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of plain nonfat yogurt.
How long do you sauté the garlic for the sauce?
The garlic should be sautéed in butter for about 1 minute until it becomes fragrant.
When do you add the heavy whipping cream to the sauce?
The cream is added after the tomato sauce and spices have simmered together for about 5 minutes.
When is the cilantro added to the dish?
The chopped cilantro is added to the simmering sauce along with the cooked chicken.
How much water is needed to cook the jasmine rice?
You will need 3 1/2 cups of water for 2 cups of jasmine rice.
Do you cook the rice and sauce in the same pan?
No, the sauce is prepared in a large skillet while the rice is prepared in a medium saucepan.
What is the first step in preparing the jasmine rice?
The first step is to sauté diced onion, sliced green onion, and garlic in butter until soft.
What category does this recipe fall under?
This recipe is categorized under Curries.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
While the recipe specifies breasts, you can substitute with chicken thighs if you prefer a juicier meat.
How long is the final simmer once the chicken is added to the sauce?
Let the chicken and sauce simmer together for an additional 5 minutes.
Is this recipe good for gatherings?
Yes, the description notes it is great for gatherings or a family dinner.