Chicken Tikka Masala for a Sauce It Up #SundaySupper

Sunday, October 20, 2013
One of my favorite sauce based meals is curry - anything from Indian to Thai, I love a great flavorful sauce which compliments any protein. When I heard this weeks #SundaySupper theme, I knew instantly what I was going to make - homemade Chicken in Creamy Tomato Curry - AKA Chicken Tikka Masala.
Anytime I make homemade Indian curry, I always head over to the Food Network and see what Aarti Sequeira has lined up. Her ethnic recipes are very easy to follow and are restaurant quality. Her Chicken Tikka Masala recipe is one that I have been wanting to try out. I had to add a little more heat and served this with brown rice, garlic naan and a giant glass (or two) of Tin Roof Chardonnay which was a perfect wine pairing to this dish. Tin Roof was a bold yet smooth chardonnay with notes of Fuji apple, quince and crème brulee.

Chicken Tikka Masala
adapted from Aarti Sequeira

Ingredients

Marinade:1 cup plain yogurt, whisked until smooth3 tablespoons Ginger-Garlic Paste, recipe follows (or 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger and 3 cloves garlic put through a garlic press or finely minced)1 teaspoon kosher salt1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, poked with a fork, and cut into large bite-sized chunks

Sauce:2 teaspoons olive oil3 tablespoons butter1/3 cup Ginger-Garlic Paste, recipe follows (or 6 cloves garlic and 2-inch thumb ginger minced)2 serrano peppers, minced (seeds removed if you don't want it spicy)2 tablespoons tomato paste1 teaspoon garam masala (I used more)2 teaspoons paprika8 Roma tomatoes, diced1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt1 to 2 cups waterOil, for grilling1 tablespoon dried fenugreek leaves (optional)1/2 cup heavy creamMinced fresh cilantro, for garnishCooked rice, naan, or crusty piece of bread, for serving

DirectionsFor the marinade: In a large bowl, mix together the marinade ingredients. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Marinate at least 30 minutes, or in the refrigerator up to overnight.

For the sauce: When you're ready to make the curry, place a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil and butter. When the butter has melted, add the Ginger-Garlic Paste and serrano peppers. Saute until lightly browned around the edges. Add the tomato paste and cook until the tomato has darkened in color, about 3 minutes. Add the garam masala and the paprika and saute for about 1 minute to draw out their flavors.


Add the tomatoes, salt, and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, turn down to a simmer, and cook until thickened, about 20 minutes. You may need more water depending on how much liquid the tomatoes give off.
Meanwhile, fire up your grill. When it is nice and hot, lightly brush it with oil. Place the chicken on the grill, shaking off some of the excess marinade. Cook until it's charred, about 2 minutes on each side. (Don't worry that the chicken will still be a little uncooked, it finishes cooking in the sauce).


Pour the sauce into a blender or food processor, or use an immersion blender, and process until smooth. Pour back into the skillet and bring back up to a boil. Add the chicken and fenugreek leaves, if using. Take the heat down to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes. Add the cream and stir through. Garnish with minced fresh cilantro, and serve over rice and naan bread.


Check out all of the other saucy dishes the #SundaySupper family! I cannot wait to give many of these a try!


Savory Sauces
Pasta Sauces and Pastas with Sauce
Entreés with Sauces
Sweet Sauces
Desserts with Sauces
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm EST. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here → >Sunday Supper Movement.

33 comments

  1. Homemade curry is the best! Awesome recipe!

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  2. The pics are beautiful and the ingredients sound amazing! Pinning for later!

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  3. Wow! I have always wanted to make Tikka Masala! What a great recipe!

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    1. Jennifer, you've got to give this one a try! It's easy and delicious :)

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  4. I am with you, Megan. Curry of any kind is my favorite. I can just imagine your spicy charred chicken coated with that wonderful sauce. Yum!

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    1. It's awesome right!!! Curry is my go to for a rainy day or a stuffy nose :)

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  5. Indian food is one of my favorite cuisines, so I can't wait to try this!

    PS Do you not have a Facebook fan page? I was going to share this on Facebook but didn't see it in your social media buttons up top.

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    1. Hi Carla - no I do not.....I know it's crazy & I get asked quite often about it. Please feel free to share it on your page :)

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  6. I love spicy sauces. I made a version of Tikka masala for my Naanchos a while back, but I am going to give this one a try since my bf didn't really like the sauce (everyone else did, he is just the picky one LOL) The dish looks fab!!

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    1. OMG the Naanchos - I need to recreate that recipe!! This is a very friendly recipes w/ multiple palates. Trust me, I have a picky palate living with me ;) Thanks so much!!

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  7. Yep. Aarti was my favorite contestant the season she won Next Food Network Star. I have much to learn about this dish and didn't even know it was curry based. Thank you for teaching me something and thank you for participating this week.

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    1. Wasn't she the BEST!! She was my favorite from day one. I rarely am able to teach so glad to do so this week! Thank you for hosting such a great week of SundaySupper!

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  8. I love Thai food. This dish is right up my alley. Yum!

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    1. I love Thai food too (ps this is Indian :) )

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  9. I want YOU to make me dinner! Or maybe just pass me that plate :)

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    1. I will make you dinner anytime Liz!!!!!!!!!!! Only if you make me dinner!

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  10. I love Thai and Indian food, especially curry. This sauce sounds and looks delicious with chicken!

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  11. LOVE this!! I've been experimenting more with curry! Yummy!

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    1. Thank you thank you thank you! I have too, it's so much fun to experiment w/ new flavors!

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  12. I love Aarti's recipes! Good choice for SundaySupper!

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    1. Thanks Ang! I love her recipes too - this is the 5th one I have tried and all have been amazing.

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  13. I love tikka masala. Yum, I'll have to try this recipe

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    1. Kim, you would love it! I have used this recipe on Pizza as well!

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  14. I have never made tikka masala. I think I'll have to try this one.

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    1. This is such a great and easy recipe - you should totally give it a try!

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  15. Loooove Tikka Masala. This is a really good recipe. Glad to hear you added some heat...that's my girl ;) Really pretty pictures...

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  16. Great recipe, that looks so good. Lovely pictures!! It looks so inviting!!

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  17. Oooooh yeah, Indian food with wine! Megan, this is a dream meal. I rarely cook Indian food at home but it's one of my favourite things to eat. Your chicken tikka masala looks ah-may-zing.

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  18. I am also a fan of anything curry and your homemade Tikka Masala sounds fantastic! - Bea @ The Not So Cheesy Kitchen

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  19. Mmmm, this is one of my faves! I make it with tofu though :-)

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