What is Chicken Tikka?

Chicken Tikka is one of the most popular dishes in the South East Asian cuisine. It is said to have originated in Kashmir which is now part of the Indian sub continent, and now, is probably the most popular dish of punjabi cuisine.

Traditionally, it is made by marinating small boneless pieces of chicken with thick yogurt and various indian spices, and cooked on metal skewers inside a red hot tandoor. And that is how Chicken tikka got its name, where tikka means ‘bits’ or ‘pieces’.

The brilliant red colour of the chicken tikka comes from turmeric and red chili powder. If the red chili powder does not give you the desired colour, you can add a pinch of FDA approved red food colour.

Since a lot of modern households do not have access to traditional tandoors, the chicken pieces can be layered on metal or wooden skewers and baked in the oven. You can also use the convection setting in the microwave to cook it.

This chicken tikka can also be used to make the very popular chicken tikka masala, where you can make by adding a simple tomato and onion masala, along with cream and a few vegetables like onions and bell peppers and cooking it till you get a thick chicken gravy. You can also make chicken tikka wraps where the chicken is stuffed between a naan or roti along with a few vegetables and chutneys, and eating as an appetiser or a smack.

Below are are the ingredients and step by step instructions to make chicken tikka.

Ingredients

500 gms chicken

2 tbsp lemon juice

salt, to taste

1 tsp pink salt

1 tsp coriander powder

1 tsp cumin powder

½ tsp chaat masala

1 tsp red chili powder

½ tsp black pepper powder

a pinch of red food colour

2 tsp ginger garlic paste

green chili paste

1 tsp red chili paste

2 tbsp cashew nut paste

¼ cup cream

½ yogurt (hung curd)

Method

This is a list of ingredients.

To a big bowl, add the chicken.

Then, add the lemon juice.

Next, add the salt.

Then, add the pink salt.

Add the coriander powder.

Add the cumin powder.

Next, add the chaat masala.

Then, add the red chili powder.

Add the black pepper powder.

Then, add the red food colour.

Add the ginger and garlic paste.

Then, add the green chili paste.

Add the red chili paste.

Then, add the cashew nut paste.

Next, add the cream.

Finally, add the yogurt.

Give it a good mix.

Layer the chicken pieces on a skewer. Put a tray below it to catch the drippings.

Bake in a pre heated oven at 180 degrees for 7-8 minutes on each side.

Serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Serve hot.