From the Cook
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Quick Chicken Tikka Masala
Instructions
1
Scrape the peel from the ginger with a spoon, then coarsely chop ginger. Blend the ginger and garlic into a smooth paste using a mini food processor. Alternately, finely grate the ginger, mince the garlic, and combine. (You'll have enough for this recipe plus extra for another use.) Set 1 1/2 teaspoon, and 1 tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste aside and refrigerate leftovers, covered, for up to one week.
2
Cut the chicken into 2-inch pieces. In a large bowl, combine chicken with the 1 1/2 teaspoon of reserved ginger-garlic paste, the yogurt, coriander, salt, turmeric, oil, and Kashmiri chili.
3
Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add the chicken mixture and cook, turning occasionally, until lightly charred (chicken may not be quite cooked through), about 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.
4
Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the oil and reserved 1 tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste. Cook, stirring, until slightly softened, 10-15 seconds.
5
Add the coriander and cumin and stir until sizzling, then stir in the tomatoes. Continue to cook over medium-low until tomatoes have softened and most of the liquid has cooked off, 5-8 minutes.
6
Transfer the tomato mixture to a blender and add the cream. Blend into a smooth paste. Add the water and blend again.
7
Return tomato mixture to the skillet, add the chicken, and stir well to combine. Cover and cook over medium-high heat until chicken is cooked through and flavors are blended, 3-5 minutes.
8
Remove chicken from the heat. Sprinkle the fenugreek on top, if using. Let chicken stand, covered, 5-10 minutes before serving for flavors to blend. Serve with basmati rice.
My Calorie Intake
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Tips & Tricks (5)
- Maximize Browning with Dry Chicken 🍗Pat the chicken thighs completely dry before searing—moisture prevents proper browning and crust formation. This creates flavorful caramelization that adds depth to your masala.
- Bloom Spices in Oil First 🌟Toast the cumin, coriander, and turmeric in hot oil for 30-45 seconds before adding garlic and ginger to unlock their essential oils and intensify flavor complexity.
- Don't Skip the Yogurt Marinade 🥛Even a quick 15-minute yogurt coating on the seasoned chicken (instead of skipping it entirely) tenderizes the meat and helps spices adhere better during browning.
- Use Kashmiri Chili Powder Strategically 🌶️Add Kashmiri chili powder to the yogurt marinade rather than just the sauce—this distributes color and mild heat throughout the chicken for superior flavor penetration.
- Finish with Fenugreek and Cream Together 🍃Crush dried fenugreek leaves between your palms and stir them in with the heavy cream at the very end to preserve their maple-like aroma and prevent bitterness from overcooking.
Recipe Facts
Diet at a Glance
Low Sugar
My Calorie Intake
Smart Nutrition 
Nutrition Per Serving
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Glycemic Analysis
Glycemic Index
Glycemic Load
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