ISO Chicken Masala Help

[DramaQueen]

I buy Garam Masala fully combined in a spice jar at my supermarket. Too much trouble to make your own. Try using this stuff in lamb stew, it's wonderful.

[ChefJune]

Originally Posted by BBQ Mikey

KE - Thanks for that recipe...but I don't think its the same dish. I'm looking to make a spicy indian dish called Chicken Masala, not Chicken Marsala, which is a totally different somewhat italian dish using Marsala wine.

I believe it was heavy on the Curry side, with possibly some Cumin too.
Possibly known elsewhere as Chicken Tikka Masala.

Thanks anyways, and I do like that recipe!

Mikey, you'll do better looking for recipes called "Chicken Tikka Masala" or just Chicken Tikka. I've never made it, but I have enjoyed it on many occasions.

[BBQ Mikey]

Originally Posted by ChefJune

Mikey, you'll do better looking for recipes called "Chicken Tikka Masala" or just Chicken Tikka. I've never made it, but I have enjoyed it on many occasions.

You're absolutely right, I found that out shortly after this post. I'm going to change the title.

[neilkaye]

bbq mikey -----most of the ingredience is easy to find one thing i can say tho to make this dish right dont use garam masala powder use whole and mill it down in a blender i use a make called supreme and it says mix masala whole on the front 100g paccket ...hope you enjoy this recipy

[stinemates]

How To Make Chicken Tikka Masala

It's amazing.

[deelady]

I must add in that I had eaten that dish in an Idian restaurant and also fell in love but I had just had my daughter so I wasnt up for trying to make it by scratch but I found a jarred version of it at Trader Joes and made it with basmati rice and cut chicken breast bites. I was very surprised at how close the sauce tasted to the restaurants! the only thing I changed with the sauce was I added a touch more garam marala and at the end of simmering I added a touch of butter to the sauce to had a bit more richness ( I had remembered tasting a background flavor of butteryness and when I added it it made it closer to the original...)

[peeper76]

I love indian food and I enjoy cooking it for friends as well. Try this recipe. I call the dish Chicken Tikka Masala.
Chicken tikka is prepared first using 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 1 tbsp ginger, 2 garlic cloves, 1tsp chili powder, 1 tbsp coriander seeds (cilantro) 1/2 tsp salt, 4 tbsp lemon juice (I have used lime as well), 2 tbsp oil, 1& 1/2 chicken breast skinned and boned and cubed. MIX together in a bowl all ingredients except the chicken, drop in chicken cubes last into the marinade. Cover and leave at least a few hours. (overnight is best). TREAD chicken onto skewers and cook under a preheated hot oven broiler for 6 minutes turning alot. (I cook on the BBQ)
MASALA SAUCE: 4 tbsp oil, 2 onions, 1 tsp ginger, 2 garlic cloves, 6 cardamons, 2 tsp garam masala powder, 2 tsp coriander(cilantro), 1 tsp chili powder, 1 &1/4 cup heavy cream 2 tbsp tomato paste, 4 tbsp hot water, 1/2 tsp sugar 1/2 tsp salt. Make masala sauce by heating the oil in pot, add ginger, garlic, over gentle heat, stir frequently about 5 minutes. Add spices and fry 1-2 minutes, add cream, tomato paste,water,sugar and salt. Bring slowly to boil over moderate heat, stirring, then lowering heat, and simmering gently, for 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and add the chicken cubes and return to a low heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

[waaza]

Mikey,
you won't find an 'authentic' recipe, as it isn't an Indian dish at all, but said to be invented in the UK. Chicken tikka (as found in India) are chunks (tikka means bits) of marinated chicken cooked in a tandoor, and masala (although there are various meanings) would suggest a 'spicy' gravy' (ie made with spices, not necessarily chilli!!) Why anyone would want to put these lovely chunks of freshly grilled chicken bits in a 'sauce' is beyond me (and most Indians!), but have a look at butter chicken recipes that have tomatoesin them, again, not traditional, but you don't sound as though you are after authenticity (no criticism intended). The chicken pieces are tender because they were probably cooked on skewers (have a look for the holes next time) though when they were cooked would be another thing to find out, I would suggest!

You could also consider tandoori chicken masala as cooked and served by me here:>



I've just seen the recipe above, it may well suit your wants, but it doesn't mention when to add the onions. Cut the onion into 3mm dice and quickly add to medium hot oil, and cook for about 10 - 15 minutes, then add garlic/ginger/chillies etc. Liquidizing the sauce may well improve the texture.

[Afrika Bambaataa]

i love indian! if you are new to it you might want to try chicken vindaloo. MMMM!

[waaza]

Originally Posted by nignag

i love indian! if you are new to it you might want to try chicken vindaloo. MMMM!

I wonder whether this is a good idea, using chicken in a vindaloo. I say this for a number of reasons. The traditional recipe is for pork, and a strong tasting pork at that. It was developed from an original Portuguese recipe which uses wine/vinegar and garlic as its main flavours. Goans took this several stages further and added chillies and several very aromatic spices. The essence of the dish is still there, a stew of flavourful pork, which, because it is a stew, must use tougher meat which needs prolonged cooking at low - medium heat, which develops the spicy flavours.
If you substitute chicken (or any mildly flavoured meat) for the pork, it is likely you will not be able to taste the meat.

This is so for most Indian dishes, it is not a simple thing to substitute one meat for another, or even vegetables. Most meat dishes in India are for mutton, but this is a euphamism for goat, which needs care when spicing and cooking, the idea is to flavour the dish, not overpower the meat (or veg.).

So the most suitable meats to use in a vindaloo would be tough, strong flavoured ones, maybe venison or kangaroo, or even water buffalo (euphamistically called 'beef' in India). Chicken needs lighter spicing to retain its flavour, IMHO, but Indian chickens are generally much tougher than western equivalents, and timings may have to be adjusted.