Boneless chicken pieces marinated in a vibrant mixture of yogurt, red chili, and aromatic spices, then grilled over intense charcoal heat until smoky and slightly charred while remaining succulent inside.
Nutrition & Info
Allergen Warnings
Equipment Needed
Instructions
-
1
Combine yogurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, all spice powders, salt, and oil in a large bowl. Whisk until smooth and uniform in color.
-
2
Add the chicken cubes to the marinade, turning each piece to coat completely. Cover and refrigerate for at least four hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the spices and yogurt to deeply penetrate the meat.
-
3
Thread marinated chicken pieces onto metal skewers, leaving small gaps between pieces to ensure even cooking. Allow excess marinade to drip off.
-
4
Grill over hot charcoal or in an oven preheated to the highest setting for twelve to fifteen minutes, turning the skewers every three minutes, until the chicken is charred at the edges and cooked through with juices running clear.
-
5
Remove from skewers and serve immediately on a sizzling hot plate with green chutney, sliced onions, and lemon wedges.
Did You Know?
The distinctive red-orange color of chicken tikka comes from a combination of Kashmiri red chili and food coloring. Traditional recipes relied solely on Kashmiri chili which gives color without extreme heat.
Chef's Notes
Equipment Tips
- charcoal grill or oven
- metal skewers
- mixing bowl
The Story Behind Chicken Tikka
Tikka, meaning 'pieces' or 'bits' in Persian, refers to the technique of marinating and grilling small cuts of meat that was refined in the royal kitchens of the Mughal Empire. The yogurt-based marinade serves both as a tenderizer and flavor carrier, a technique borrowed from Central Asian nomadic cooking. In Pakistan, chicken tikka became the nation's favorite appetizer, with every city claiming its own superior version. Peshawar and Lahore are particularly famous for their tikka traditions.
Comments (0)
Log in to leave a comment.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!