Chicken Tikka

Yesterday, we were getting ready to watch the World cup semi-final between India and Pakistan. My hubby was home early and my son and I were so happy to have him around. He sat down to watch the match with a couple of beers and I went into my kitchen to make a good dinner for him (which was well planned). I wanted him to sit back, relax and enjoy the match with some good food too. I made his favourites, chicken tikka as an appetizer and parota and Kerala style spicy beef ularthiyathutu (beef roast) for main course.

Chicken tikka is a very popular dish; small pieces of chicken are marinated for a minimum of 3hours in yogurt and spices. Here?s how I made it,

Preparation time: 3hours

Cooking time: 30minutes

Serves: 3-4

500gms chicken breast

1tsp ginger paste

1tsp garlic paste

1tsp dhania powder (coriander powder)

1tsp jeera powder (cumin powder)

2 tsp chilli powder (alter according to your spice tolerance)

3 tbsp curd (yogurt)

2tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp tomato puree

a pinch of red colouring (optional)

1 onion sliced

2 tbsp oil

salt to taste

1 lemon (cut into wedges)

Using a sharp knife, cut the chicken into small pieces

Blend ginger garlic, dhania powder, jeera powder and chilli powder in a mixing bowl

Spoon in the curd, salt, lemon juice, red colouring (if using) and tomato puree to the spice mixture

Add the chicken to the spice mixture and toss to coat well. Let it marinate for 3hours (preferably overnight)

Pre-heat your oven for 10minutes at 2200 C

Spread the onions at the bottom of a heatproof dish, carefully drizzle half of the oil over them

Now arrange the marinated chicken pieces on top of the onions and cook them on the grill

After 10minutes turn each piece and apply the remaining oil (is your kitchen smelling of all the spices now!) Cook for another 10-15minutes (total of 25-30minutes)

Garnish with lemon wedges

Serve this yummy succulent chicken tikka as an appetizer with green chutney or as a side with any kind of Indian bread!!

That?s it for now friends, will soon put up the recipe of Kerala style spicy beef ularthiyathutu?