Tandoori Chicken Tikka


-serves 6-8
​My tandoori chicken recipe is mild, yet packed with flavors from aromatic herbs and spices. It's completely natural and free of artificial food coloring - the bright orange hue you notice on the lightly charred crust comes from sweet, ground kashmiri chilies that one can easily find in Indian grocery stores. And if you'd like it spicier, simply add a generous pinch of hot chili powder. Enjoy the recipe!

Ingredients for Tandoori Chicken Tikka

10 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (approximately 1.2 kg chicken chopped into 1-inch wide strips)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1.5 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
1 tablespoon good-quality organic kashmiri chili powder
1 teaspoon good quality garam masala powder
 6 garlic cloves, minced
1.5 tablespoons ginger, finely chopped
1-2 bird's eye chilies, finely chopped 
3-4 green cardamoms, pounded in a mortar and pestel
3-4 tablespoons ghee or butter ​

Recipe
1. Place chicken in a large bowl. Add lemon juice and sprinkle salt all over chicken - mix well and set aside for 15 minutes. 
2. In a bowl, stir together Greek yogurt, cumin, turmeric, red chili powder, kashmiri chili powder, garam masala, garlic, ginger, chilies, and crushed cardamoms.
​3. Pour spiced yogurt over chicken, and stir well, making sure the chicken is completely covered in marinade. Refrigerate overnight. Before cooking, bring chicken back to room temperature by leaving it on your counter top for up to an hour.
4. Heat a large cast-iron pan on medium flame. Add a tablespoon of butter and let it melt. Pan-fry chicken in batches (making sure not to crowd the pan) for 4-5 minutes on each side, until fully cooked and slightly charred on both sides. Alternatively, thread the chicken on metal skewers, brush generously with melted butter and barbecue for 8-10 minutes until fully-cooked and slightly charred all over. Serve hot!
For more delicious recipes, check out our upcoming hands-on cooking classes in Downtown Singapore.
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