Hey there, foodies! Are you ready to embark on a journey through the flavours of the Chicken Tikka recipe? Imagine tender chicken pieces coated in a blend of yogurt and aromatic spices and then grilled until juicy. It is an Indian delicacy that is not only delicious but also fun to create.
Chicken Tikka recipe is like a treasure chest filled with smoky, tangy and spicy flavors for us flavor lovers. This guide has everything you need whether you are a beginner or an expert in the kitchen. I will take you through different types of spices used in marinating chicken tikka, secret behind successful marination process, grilling tips among other things so that your chicken tikka can turn out perfect. Lets get cooking!
In this Post all you Need to Know About Chicken Tikka
- Why I LOVE… This Recipe!
- The Story Behind Chicken Tikka
- The Spice Symphony in Chicken Tikka
- Gathering Your Ingredients for Chicken Tikka
- Enhancing Your Chicken Tikka Experience
- My Chicken Tikka: Image Gallery
- Chef Yogi’s Notes : Tips to Perfect Your Chicken Tikka
- Explore Exciting Paneer Tikka Cooking Alternatives
Why I LOVE… This Recipe!
Here’s why I’m absolutely crazy about chicken tikka! First of all it’s all about the FLAVORS. You know those juicy chunks of chicken marinated in various spices? It’s like every bite explodes with flavor! And let me tell you about the TEXTURE – tender, succulent meat with just enough char from grilling… YAS GUYS it’s texture party time in my mouth!
Also chicken tikka is SO versatile – whether I serve it with naan breads or rice dishes or just eat them by themselves – always goes down well! Not to mention how EASY they are make too!! using my recipe. With few ingredients needed & hot grill required; restaurant quality right at home kinda dish indeed!!
But what really gets me every time is the NOSTALGIA factor involved.. Whenever I taste these kebabs its like being transported back into family gatherings, celebrations & good times shared with friends….. More than just another recipe – this one’s for keepsakes people!!!
The Story Behind Chicken Tikka Recipe
Chicken Tikka originated from Punjab region situated in India which has vibrant culinary traditions. The word “tikka” means bits or pieces while referring to small sizes of succulent chunks/ pieces of chicken which are main constituent parts for making this dish. Traditionally, Chicken Tikka was cooked using tandoor oven (clay oven) where it gets distinctive smoky flavor indicative of its cultural heritage being charred. Although a tandoor may not be found in every kitchen, one can still recreate that smokey taste very easily.
The Spice Symphony in Chicken Tikka Recipe
Chicken tikka is all about spices which create symphony of flavors dancing on your palate. Turmeric, coriander, cumin and kashmiri red chili powder are some of the key players that add warmth and depth to the dish. Kashmiri red chili powder gives vibrant color without much heat hence making your tikka visually appealing as well as yummy. In addition to lemon juice and yoghurt used for marinating chicken; they also tenderize meat while imparting more flavours into it during this process.
Gathering Your Ingredients for Chicken Tikka Recipe
To make a perfect chicken tikka recipe, you need the right ingredients at hand. Start with boneless chicken pieces cut into small pieces so they cook faster and become juicier when grilled later.
Next gather various spices like turmeric powder, fenugreek leaves etc., each having their own contribution towards creating complex flavour profile for this dish. Fresh ginger, garlic & mustard oil will add authenticity points too! Just choose carefully what goes into making your own version of chicken tikka – let it sing with true Indian flavors!
Enhancing Your Chicken Tikka Experience
Pairing up chicken tikka with matching companions can make it a better dining experience. These spices can be contrasted with mint-coriander chutney or cucumber-yogurt raita while naan or rice serves as a good base. A cold beer or a fruity lassi is good for washing it down. Furthermore, if one wants to create different tastes each time they eat chicken tikka, they should try out new kinds of proteins and seasonings.
My Chicken Tikka Recipe: Image Gallery
Chef Yogi’s Notes : Tips to Perfect Your Chicken Tikka Recipe
Let us have a look at some important tips to make your chicken tikka perfect. To ensure that it soaks maximum flavors, marinate the chicken for not less than four hours but overnight is better. Keep aside some marinade for basting while grilling, this will help in retaining moisture as well as taste.
For that typical smoky burnt flavor, cook your chicken tikka outside over direct fire such as charcoal or gas grill. When this is not an option you can use an oven too; just set it at the highest temperature with wire rack so that heat can be distributed equally during cooking.
If using stovetop then choose either a griddle pan which gives nice grill lines or a grill pan having raised edges which keeps all drippings intact and avoids any mess around. Follow these easy steps but don’t worry about method – you’ll always end up with great tasting chicken tikka.
Ingredients
First Marination
- 600 gm Chicken boonless chicken Leg boneless is best for this preparation as it retains the juciness
- 1 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
- 1 tsp Green Chili Paste
- 1 tsp Lime/Lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Mustard oil
- 2 tsp Table Salt
- 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
Second Marination
- 1 tbsp Mustard oil or vegetable oil
- 1 ½ tbsp Kashmiri red chilli powder or Paprika powder For Color
- ¼ tsp Turmeric Powder
- 1 tbsp Ginger Garlic paste Search for "Ginger garlic paste" in this website
- 250 gm Curd/ Yoghurt Thick or Hung
- ½ Garam masala Powder
- ½ tbsp Coriander seeds powder
- ¼ tsp Black pepper Powder
- ¼ Kastoori methi crushed
- 1 tsp green cardamom powder
- 1 tsp Table Salt
- ½ tsp Chaat Masala
Instructions
Applying First Marination:
- Dice the boneless chicken into chunky cubes, approximately 1.5" x 1.5.
- Place the Chicken cubes in a mixing bowl. Incorporate ginger-garlic paste, green chilli paste
- A lemon juice, salt & turmeric powder into the mixing bowl.
- Ensure the Chicken cubes are evenly coated with the flavorful mixture.
- Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate for a minimum of 2 hours or more. For optimal results, refrigerate during this time.
Preparing Second Marination
Warm Mustard Oil:
- Begin by gently heating the mustard oil until it reaches a warm temperature. This step is essential to mellow down the pungency of the mustard oil, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavors.
- Introduce the vibrant Kashmiri red chilli powder into the warm oil. Opt for a variety that is less fiery yet imparts a rich hue, creating a visually appealing and perfectly balanced spice profile. Add Turmeric and Ginger garlic paste.
- Mix well.
- Add, black pepper powder, garam masala powder, coriander seeds powder, black pepper powder, kastoori methi, green cardamom powder, table salt, and the irresistible chaat masala.
- Now, add the thick or hung curd to the mix and whip it into a smooth, velvety consistency. This yogurt symphony brings a creamy texture and a delightful tanginess to our marination masterpiece.
- You have two tempting options – either dive straight into the application of this tantalizing marination across various tandoori delights, or exercise patience and store it in an airtight container for later use. The choice is yours!
- For those who appreciate the anticipation, refrigerate the marination properly. It graciously retains its flavors for a good 4-5 days, allowing you to savor the magic over multiple meals.
Final Step: – Applying Marination on Chicken Tikka
- Dice vegetables into 1" x 1" pieces. These will complement the marinated Chicken, adding a burst of flavour to the dish.
- Elevate the taste experience by applying a second round of marination. Allow the blend of spices to infuse into the Chicken and vegetables.
- Ensure an even distribution of the flavorful marinade by meticulously mixing the Chicken chunks and vegetables. This step guarantees every bite is packed with taste. Patiently rest the marinated mixture for two or more hours.
- To prevent the Tikka from sticking to the baking tray, generously grease it. This simple step ensures easy removal and a perfectly presented dish.
- Create visually appealing skewers by threading the marinated Chicken and vegetables sequentially onto skewers. This step not only enhances presentation but also ensures an even cooking process.
- Achieve optimal cooking conditions by preheating your oven to 230°C- 240°C This ensures that the Chicken and vegetables cook evenly and attain the desired texture.
- Place the loaded tray into the preheated oven and let the magic happen. Allow the Tikka to bake for approximately 20 minutes, letting the flavors meld and the ingredients reach perfection.
- Take out the tray, relish the enticing aroma, and serve the flavorful oven-baked Chicken Tikka with vegetables immediately. Delight in the rich taste and texture of this culinary creation!
Explore Exciting Paneer Tikka Recipe Alternatives
Traditional Stovetop Method: Chicken Tikka with the classic stovetop method. Marinate Chicken and veggies, then skewer and grill to golden perfection.
Air Fryer Magic: Marinate Paneer and veggies, thread onto skewers, and air fry for a delightful texture.
Barbecue Delight: Generously marinate, skewer, and grill for an authentic smoky taste.
Tandoor Tradition: Generously marinate, thread onto skewers, and cook for an authentic, charred perfection.
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