Easy Chicken Tikka Masala...

My sister-in-law made us a delicious Sunday dinner of Chicken Tikka Masala after Briggs was born. I know it's one of their family favorites and it was delicious - we made it again not too long after and it was just as delicious and relatively easy. It's a tad spicy - I thought it came from the jalapeño in the sauce but even the grilled chicken was spicy. The marinade ingredients seemed completely random but they work - I could eat the grilled chicken on it's own.


Marinade:
1 cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons black pepper
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon salt
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Combine all marinade ingredients, and coat chicken and refrigerate for at least an hour.


Grill or cook the chicken and discard marinade.

1 tablespoon butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1 jalapeno pepper finely chopped
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 8-oz can tomato sauce
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Salute garlic and jalapeño for one minute. Season with cumin, paprika and salt. Stir in tomato sauce and cream. Simmer on low until sauce thickens (about 20 minutes). Add grilled chicken and simmer for 10 more minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a little plain yogurt or sour cream. Serve over hot rice.