Chicken Tikka Masala - Quick Meals for Busy Nights

When you've been running around all day and still have more to do, it's mighty tempting to order pizza instead of cooking a whole meal. But wait! Put down the phone this home-cooked Chicken Tikka Masala recipe is quicker and easier than you think.

The key to making a quick dinner is already having the ingredients on hand. In addition to the usual suspects, like dried pasta, rice and canned tomatoes, stock your freezer and pantry with ingredients that will round out a simple dinner without an extra trip to the store.

Jars of roasted red peppers have great flavor and can be used in pasta sauces or frittatas. A can of beans and a carton of vegetable broth are the beginnings of an easy soup. Thin cuts of meat like chicken breast can be frozen and then quickly thawed when you need them.

It's also good to have a few stand-by recipes like this Chicken Tikka Masala that you've made before and that never fail to satisfy. Pick ones that are easy to adapt if you don't have the exact ingredients, and keep track of new recipes that might fit the bill.

Most of all, make what you love. Favorite dishes like this Chicken Tikka Masala recipe and ingredients you choose yourself will always win out over take-out.

[ Also: Chicken Tikka Masala, Done Healthy ]

Easy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

    Prep Time: 15 minutes

    Cook time: 30 minutes

    Yield: Serves 4-6

Easy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe Ingredients

    1 to 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast

    1/2 cup whole milk yogurt

    1 teaspoon cumin

    1 teaspoon coriander

    1 cup white rice

    1 large onion

    3 cloves garlic

    1-inch piece ginger

    1 teaspoon olive oil

    Salt and pepper

    1-2 tablespoons garam masala spice

    1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes

    3/4 cup heavy cream or whole milk

Easy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe Directions

    Set your broiler to high and place an oven rack 5 inches below the flame.

    Sprinkle the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Combine the yogurt, cumin and coriander in a small bowl and then dredge the breasts in the yogurt. Arranged the coated chicken breasts on a cooling rack placed over a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, and dribble any extra yogurt on top.

    Broil the breasts 5-7 minutes on each side, until cooked through and the interior registers 165-degrees with an instant-read thermometer. Set the chicken aside to cool.

    While the chicken is cooking, set the rice to cook, dice the onions, and mince the garlic and ginger.

    In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the onions in a teaspoon of olive oil until they are translucent. Add the garlic and ginger, and cook until fragrant. Stir in one tablespoon of garam masala and two teaspoons of salt until the onions are evenly coated.

    Pour in the tomatoes and their juice; reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer the sauce. Check your rice and remove from heat if done. Cut the broiled chicken into bite-sized pieces, and add the pieces into the tomato sauce. Stir in the cream to finish.

    Taste the sauce and add another tablespoon of garam masala if desired. If the sauce tastes bitter, add a spoonful of sugar.

    Serve the chicken tikka masala over rice. Leftovers will keep for one week.

[ Also: Chicken Tikka Masala, Done Healthy ]

Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe, Chicken Recipe, Indian

 

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Quick & Easy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe - Quick Meals for Busy Nights

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