Servings : Serves 5-6
A wonderfully combination of spicy grilled chicken in a rich and decadent creamy tomato sauce. This dish goes perfectly with either parathas or naans, or over plain rice.
Ingredients for Chicken Marinade
- 1.2-1.5 kg whole chicken, cut into 8-12 pieces (skin removed)
- 3 tbsp thick yoghurt
- 3 tbsp fresh or cooking cream
- 1/2 tbsp garlic paste
- 1/2 tbsp ginger paste
- 1 tbsp tandoori masala
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- 2 tsp paprika powder
- 1/2 tsp fresh fenugreek (or a quarter tsp dried fenugreek)
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Ingredients for Creamy Tomato Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp garlic paste
- 1 tsp ginger paste
- 5-6 medium tomatoes, very finely chopped (300 gm)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste/puree
- 1 green chilli, finely sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh cream
- salt to taste
- fresh coriander for garnishing (optional)
Instructions
Combine all the marinade ingredients in a large bowl. Make some slits into the chicken pieces and then slather the marinade mixture onto the chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
Remove the chicken from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before you begin so that it comes to room temperature.
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C.
Place the chicken pieces onto an oiled oven grill, taking care to place a tray underneath to catch any drippings which we shall use later in the sauce. Also, if any marinade remains do not discard it we shall cook it in the sauce later as well.
Grill the chicken pieces for 8-10 minutes on each side or until slightly charred. The chicken will continue to cook in the sauce later so do not worry if it looks under-cooked at this stage. Once grilled, set aside and begin on making the tomato cream sauce.
In a large pan, combine the butter and oil, then add the ginger and garlic pastes followed by the green chilli. Once aromatic, add in the finely chopped tomatoes and the tomato paste. Cook whilst stirring regularly until the tomatoes are mushy and the oil begins to get released from the sides.
Next, add the grilled chicken pieces, any remaining marinade and drippings from grilling plus some salt. Stir everything together and lower the heat. Cover and cook for 10 additional minutes, giving an occasional stir.
Finally, add the cream and cook for another couple of minutes. Taste and adjust the salt if needed. You can at this point smoke the chicken if you want a smoky flavour. Garnish with a bit of fresh coriander and serve with accompaniments of your choice.
Enjoy!
About 5-6 medium ones depending on size.
Thank you so much. I’ve got married recently and am using your recipe almost everyday to cook.
asak…fauzia u said add the remaning marinade…u
mean the sause which we made rite.. need to add tht wth
the chicken rite.. thank u…
W/Salaam, yes exactly.
wat if we dont grill the chicken and just cook it normal is that k
Results will not be the same.
What excactlly is fresh cream? Is there a substitue for this, please advice
A/alaykum can i make cream at home,if yes how! Thanx.
W/Salaam, sorry I have never tried making cream at home.
The cream used in cooking. You can use any cream you have, if it is a heavy cream just dilute it with some milk to lighten it slightly.
Hi Fauzia,
What kind of tandoori masala do u use? ive tried a few of the boxed ones from the supermarket, but none of them taste good.
Thank you!
Hi, I prefer Natco tandoori masala.
salaam fauzia..trying dis recipe today Inshallah..can i use dried kasuri methi instead of fresh ones ..also can i use shaan tandoori masala..natco not available in india..please reply asap as i hav to make this today..jazakallahu khair..
W/Salaam, yes shan is fine. 🙂
I tried this recipe and it was awesome. Thanks
aoa!i lyk ur all recps plz want to know if i dont have oven then how i grilled my ckicken plz plz tel me
jazakallah ho khairan
W/Salaam, someone mentioned that she used a pan to cook the chicken until done. You can try that.
hi fauzia…just tried this…. great!! thanks
salams fauzia. hope u ok.have both whipping cream & cooking cream. kindly advise on which cream to use for malai tikka. thanks
W/Salaam, best to go with cooking cream.
You should be able to find it easily from any desi shop or indian grocer, or even in the supermarket.
Slmz,firstly,your recipes rock,mashallah,my mum has used so many and is thrilled,especially cos they very original.Secondly i have been reading the comments and mashallah,you have so much of patience.You answered every cream question so politely!May Allah reward you for your kindness.
W/Salaam, thank you Zaheera! Ameen to your beautiful dua!
Can I use coconut milk
Can I use coconut milk instead of yoghurt?
You can, although I believe
You can, although I believe it would make the dish too rich as it is already made with butter and cream. Yoghurt will balance the dish and also help tenderise the chicken.
Salaam, can we use canned
Salaam, can we use canned tomatoes instead of fresh? Reason I ask is because I’m having a hard time trying to estimate how many tomatoes equals 300gms! First time I made this recipe, it was finger-lickin good, but second time, the gravy was a bit watery and different from first time. How many tomatoes roughly would equal 300gm? And, which tomatoes do you prefer? The round ones on the vine like hot house tomatoes or Roma?
W/Salaam, have actually never
W/Salaam, have actually never tried this dish with canned tomatoes. Normally I weigh the tomatoes but I get approximately 5-6 medium sized ones in 300gm. The round on the vine ones are good enough. 🙂
Asalam alaikum fauzia…I
Asalam alaikum fauzia…I want to make this dish tomorrow n would marinade n keep for overnite.. I don’t hv tandoori masala, is it k tht I omit it or is it necessary for the receipe… Will the taste differ?
W/Salaam, it is fine you can
W/Salaam, it is fine you can omit the tandoori masala but use some extra spanish paprika to replace it or add a bit of food colouring for a good colour.
Salam fauzia.. can we skip
Salam fauzia.. can we skip peprika and fenugreek leaves?
W/Salaam, you can although
W/Salaam, you can although those ingredients do tend to add to the flavour and colour.
Hi fauzia, can we use
Hi fauzia, can we use boneless chicken breast for this receipe?? If yes how much to be used???
Hi, yes you can. Please
Hi, yes you can. Please follow this recipe: http://www.fauziaskitchenfun.com/boneless-malai-tikka-masala