Easy Chicken Tikka Masala

Easy Chicken Tikka Masala

Ingredients

For the Marinade:
1 pound chicken boneless, skinless chicken

    thighs, cubed
2 1/2 tablespoons plain, Greek yogurt
1 small lemon, juiced
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garam masala (Indian spice 

    found at supermarket)
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
For the Masala:
1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes
2-3 cloves crushed garlic
1 large white onion, diced
1 cinnamon stick
1 cup of water
2-4 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon garam masala, divided
salt, to taste
cilantro, garnish

*

Directions:
Combine marinade ingredients in a large bowl. Mix and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.

In a large sauté pan, heat oil and butter over medium heat (the oil raises the burning temperature of the butter) and add the diced onion, salt, cinnamon stick and 1 teaspoon garam masala.

Cook until onion is translucent and lightly browned, and spices are fragrant.

Add garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes. Then add 1 more teaspoon garam masala, tomatoes and tomato paste, and cook until sauce has thickened and reduced slightly.

Take marinated cubed chicken out of the fridge (if you have not already done so) and add it to the sauce. Cook until the outsides are no longer pink and chicken is almost cooked through.

Pour in remaining garam masal, brown sugar, and enough water that chicken is completely covered.
Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 30 minutes. Chicken should be cooked through and very tender. 

Remove cinnamon stick.

Turning heat down to low, simmer the mixture and add in heavy cream. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary.

Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot, with basmati rice or naan.