Description
30 Minute, 1 pot Lightened Chicken Tikka Masala with green chili, cilantro, and garam masala. Flavorful, not too spicy and make ahead friendly. A healthy, real food meal.
Ingredients
Scale
FOR THE MASALA PASTE:
- 2 onions, roughly chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- 1 green chili, seeded and roughly chopped
- 2 Tbs fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
- 3 1/2 TBS garam masala
- 1 TBS chili powder
- 1 TBS turmeric
- 1 TBS cumin
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- 3 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 TBS cilantro leaves, roughly chopped + more for garnish
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- juice of 1 lemon
FOR THE CHICKEN:
- 2 lbs. chicken breast, diced into 1" cubes
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 2 TBS masala paste
FOR THE MASALA SAUCE:
- 1 1/2 cups tomato puree
- 1 13.5 oz can coconut milk
- 1/2 tsp salt
FOR SERVING:
- Whole Wheat Naan Bread or prepared basmati rice
- Cilantro
Instructions
- Make the masala paste (unless you already have some made and stored). Add onions, garlic, green chili, ginger, garam masala, chili powder, turmeric, cumin, cloves, salt, cayenne pepper, cilantro, walnuts and lemon juice to a food processor. Pulse until smooth. Set aside.
- In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine yogurt and 2 TBS of masala paste. Mix. Add diced chicken to bowl. Mix until all chicken is coated. Cover in plastic wrap and place in fridge. Marinate a minimum of 30 minutes.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil and 1/4 cup of prepared masala paste. Stir until fragrant, about 4 minutes.
- Add yogurt/chicken mixture to the hot skillet. let the chicken simmer, stirring frequently until almost cooked. Add tomato puree and coconut milk; simmer an additional 10-15 minutes or until creamy.
- Serve chicken over basmati rice or with whole wheat Naan bread. Top with cilantro and season with salt and pepper to taste. (NOTE: I am guessing this is inauthentic to Indian cuisine, but Joe loves adding some hot sauce over the top!).
Notes
- Masala Paste can be purchased pre-made but the brands that I found had tons of extra additives. Making your own really is pretty simple, and worth the time IMO.
- Garam Masala is a spice. I didn't have any trouble finding it, but if you don't see it in the regular spice aisle check the ethnic food section.