Sree's Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Cooking

Option 1 - Shallow Frying Add marinated chicken with 2-4 tbsp oil and 1-1.5 tbsp butter, then fry on high flame for 5 minutes covered. Stir the chicken and cook uncovered for another 10 minutes, then cover and set aside

Option 2 - Grilling Skewer the chicken and arrange them on a tray, then bake in a preheated oven at 460F for 9-10 minutes, turning halfway through. If the chicken appears dry, baste with marinade, and broil for 2 minutes to char if desired

Option 3 - Air Fry Arrange the tikkas in your basket. Air fry for 6 minutes at 400°F. Flip them over and air fry for an additional 6 minutes

Paneer Tikka Cooking Follow the same process, cooking for 4 minutes on one side, then turn to the other side and cook for another 4 minutes

Masala Cooking

1.In a separate cooking pan, pour in 2-3 tablespoons of oil, and once the oil is heated, add the cumin seeds

2.After the cumin has cooked and begun to splutter, add the finely diced onions along with salt to taste. Sauté until they turn slightly brown

3.Mix in the ginger-garlic paste and sauté again until the raw aroma dissipates

4.Then add the pureed tomatoes. Allow it to simmer for an additional 5 minutes

5.Add Kashmiri chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala. Let it cook gently for another 5 minutes or until the raw scent has vanished

6.Pour in 1.5 cups of boiled water

7.At this stage, taste for salt and add more if needed. Add sugar

8.Finally add the cooked chicken tikkas, add ghee and butter (cook for another 2-4 minutes)

9.To finish, stir in fresh cream and crushed or powdered kasoori methi (ensuring it cooks for 1-2 minutes), then turn off the heat

10.Sprinkle in chopped cilantro and mix thoroughly

11.Cover it with a lid and keep it aside for additional 10 minutes before serving

12.If you are substituting paneer for chicken, just add it 2 minutes before the cooking time is up to prevent the paneer from becoming tough due to overcooking

Garnishing (optional) 1 green chili; 1-2 tablespoons of cream