United Kingdom (UK) – Chicken Tikka Masala
Believe it or not, this is the national dish of the United Kingdom. No fish, no chips, no sausages of any sort are involved in this dish. Please don’t be put off by the amount of ingredients involved. It looks daunting but this recipe is really pretty simple. Marinate, grill and simmer in the sauce then serve with rice and naan bread. The depth of complex flavors will leave you wanting more.
Ingredients
Marinade
1 cup yogurt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
4 teaspoons salt, or to taste
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces (I used 6 chicken thighs)
4 long skewers
Sauce
1 tablespoon butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons paprika
1 tablespoon salt, or to taste
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Sides
3-4 cups of cooked rice
Naan bread grilled with butter to brown
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, black pepper, ginger, and 4 teaspoons salt. Stir in chicken, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Preheat a grill for high heat.
Lightly oil the grill grate. Thread chicken onto skewers, and discard marinade. Grill until juices run clear, about 5 minutes on each side.
Melt butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic and jalapeño for 1 minute. Season with 2 teaspoons cumin, paprika, and 3 teaspoons salt. Stir in tomato sauce and cream. Simmer on low heat until sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Add grilled chicken, and simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter, and garnish with fresh cilantro.
Serve with rice and grilled naan bread.
Marty Made It 