How to Make Chicken Malai Tikka?
Chicken Malai Tikka is a delicious, creamy and tender dish, which is flavoury rich. It is a popular starter in Indian and Mughlai cuisine, and moreover, it is known for its juicy and spicy flavour. Instead of traditional tikka, this version is marinated in cream, curd and cheese, which, as a result give it unique tenderness and rich taste. Whether you are hosting a party or you want to eat something delicious, then this recipe is best for you. Furthermore, it is easy to make this and this required low ingredients. Here we will describe a recipe, follow this to make restaurant-style Chicken Malai Tikka Recipe at home.
Required Ingredients
- 500g boneless chicken (cut into cubes)
- ½ cup thick yogurt
- ¼ cup fresh cream
-
Chicken Malai Tikka Recipe - ½ cup grated cheese (mozzarella or processed) rich and tasty
- 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp finely chopped coriander
- 1 tbsp green chili paste (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper powder
- ½ tsp garam masala
- ½ tsp cardamom powder
- 1 tbsp Kasuri methi
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tbsp corn flour
- Salt to taste
- Finally, Skewers (wooden or metal)
Recipe to Make This Dish
Prepare the Chicken
Wash and dry the chicken thoroughly and cut into, medium-size cubes.
Prepare the Marinade
To prepare the marinade for Chicken Malai Tikka, in a large mixing bowl, first, combine yogurt, cream, and grated cheese. Next, add ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, and green chili paste. Then, sprinkle black pepper powder, garam masala, cardamom powder, and Kasuri methi.
After that, pour melted butter and add salt in it. Finally, mix everything well until the marinade is smooth and well blended.
Chicken Marinate Process
Next, coat the chicken pieces evenly in the marinade, ensuring each piece is well covered. Then, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours (or even better, overnight) to let the flavours fully infuse. This step is crucial as it enhances the taste and makes the chicken tender and juicy.
Prepare Skewers
Meanwhile, if you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. Once done, thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers. But make sure to leave a little space between each piece. This allows even cooking and ensures the chicken gets perfectly charred on all sides.
Cook the Chicken
Now, preheat the grill, oven, or stovetop pan. To prevent sticking, lightly grease the surface with oil or butter. Then, cook the skewers in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) or on the grill for 15-20 minutes, turning Chicken Malai Tikka occasionally to ensure an even, golden char. This step helps to achieve a smoky, restaurant-style flavory and a perfectly juicy texture.
Final touch
Once cooked, brush with extra butter for added softness and aroma. Then, sprinkle finely chopped coriander on top.
Serve
Serve hot with refreshing mint chutney, crispy onion rings, and zesty lemon wedges for a delightful experience!
Additional Tips
For extra tenderness, use 1 tablespoon of hung curd instead of regular yogurt. This will result in a creamier and richer texture.
Additionally, marinate the chicken longer to allow deeper flavour absorption, making it even more delicious.
For a smoky taste, place a burning coal in a small bowl among the marinated chicken. Then, add a little butter on top, cover the bowl, and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
This infuses a rich, smoky aroma, just like restaurant-style tandoori dishes!
Storage Tips
To maintain leftover food fresh, keep it in an airtight container for two days. By re-heating, apply small amount of butter in grill or pan, so its freshness can be remained. Furthermore, if you want to store it for long time, then you can freeze marinated chicken in freezer for a week.
Moreover, bring the chicken to its natural temperature before cooking. However, keeping Chicken Malai Tikka in the fridge for too long can affect its taste and texture, so it’s best to use it soon.
Conclusion
Malai Tikka is extremely delicious and creamy which adds joy to every table. Moreover, its tenderness, aromatic spices and creamy texture has tendency to make it unique from traditionally tikka. Not only, is preparation is very easy, but also the homemade version is healthier and more delicious than any restaurant-style dish. Whether you make it for daily meal or for guest, it will be a lovely food. Try Chicken Malai Recipe and enjoy your tikka at home.