Thursday, May 21, 2015

Oven-Baked Chicken Tikka/Tandoori Tikka


As a kid I hated chicken! Yes, you heard me right; I couldn't even stand the sight of it! And why was that? I had a fever once as a little girl and during that period of sickness, I started loathing this meat; the reason is not clear to me still but the thought of it used to give me a sick feeling. My parents put their utmost efforts to bring me back to liking it but, it was of no avail. It was after the umpteenth try that my Dad won the battle and what did he try feeding me that won my heart? Yep, you guessed it right! The scrumptious piece of Chicken Tikka; He put one morsel into my mouth and the burst of flavors got me hooked on it for life! So folks, that's how I found my love for chicken, by Chicken Tikka (if I don't sound like Ted from 'How I met your mother' :P)


The Chicken Tikka that my Dad fed me was barbecued but not every day you can fire up your barbecue grill esp. if you are living in the parts of the world where you don't get to see the sun often or the places where sun is too much in love with us (its 42 C in Lahore at the moment!) Therefore, we have used oven as a substitute to prepare this Tikka, whenever we wish to and made life easier for us. I can assure you that you'd not find any big difference in between the two ways of preparing this palatable chicken dish except that the one prepared over the coals would have that distinctive aroma and flavor that the oven-baked would lack. We can however overcome that 'foible' by simply placing a burning coal emanating the smoke, over the cooked Tikkas for a few seconds to infuse in that specific barbecued flavor and Voila, no one can say that these chicken pieces are baked and not BBQued.

This is one of my Mom's favorite dishes too and trust me she's very choosy when it comes to favorites. She won't admit it but she even applies the same rule while picking a favorite amongst her children. Although we very well know who that is but let's keep it a secret by saying all of us are her favorite (my mom's usual answer :P) So, on Mother's day I thought to specially prepare it for her along with Roasted Potatoes and for dessert I made Vanilla-Brownie Surprise cake (recipes will be in my future posts, In Sha Allah- God willing) 
She loved and all of us were delighted, Alhumdulilah (praise to Allah) :D

I used chicken cut into 16 pieces but you can use chicken cut into 4 or 8 pieces too to give that authentic Tikka look. The same marinated chicken can be prepared over the coals or the marinated boneless chicken threaded onto the wooden skewers can be baked instead, the choice is yours. So let me share with you my Mom's favorite Oven-Baked Chicken Tikka which is our family favorite and is certainly going to become your's very soon too :) 

Let's get some oven-baked bbqueing unleashed in your kitchens today! :D



Oven-Baked Chicken Tikka

Ingredients:

Chicken: 1 1/2 kg/2.20 lbs (cut into 16 or 8 or 4 pieces)
Yogurt: 1/2 cup (beaten)
Lemon Juice: 1/4 cup
Ginger Powder: 1 tsp (or 1 1/2 tsp of fresh ginger paste)
Garlic Powder: 1 tsp (or 1 1/2 tsp of fresh garlic paste)
Salt: 1 tbsp
Chili Powder: 1 1/2 tsp 
Turmeric Powder: 1/2 tsp
Coriander Powder: 1 tsp
Garam Masala Powder: 1 tsp
Cumin Seeds: 1/2 tsp
Red Food Coloring: a pinch
Meat Tenderizer: 1/4 tsp (optional) 
Mustard Oil: 1/4 cup (can use vegetable or olive oil instead)
Onion Rings: for garnishing

Method:

  1. Prick the chicken pieces with the help of a fork. If using 8 or 4 pieces portions, then mark deep slits on each chicken portion. Put them in to a wide mixing bowl.
  2. Beat the yogurt and add all the spices along with the lemon juice and the meat tenderizer (if using) and mix well.
  3. Pour the prepared marinade and the oil over the chicken pieces and mix well so that all of the marinade evenly coats over all the pieces.
  4. Now cover the bowl with its lid or with the help of a cling film and refrigerate for at least 6-8 hours prior to cooking. Overnight works best.
  5. Take out from the fridge about 15-20 mins before you start preparing for cooking.
  6. Preheat the oven at 200 C/392 F/Gas Mark 6.
  7. Line your baking pan with an aluminum foil and grease it with the help of a greasing brush.
  8. Place all the chicken pieces on the baking pan and spoon the marinade over all the pieces.
  9. Place the baking pan in to the middle rack of the oven and bake for 45-60 minutes depending on the size of the chicken pieces. Turn over the pieces half way through cooking.
  10. Once the chicken is cooked, all of the marinade dries but the chicken is still juicy, turn on the top grill of the oven and grill the chicken pieces for 8-10 minutes to give them that dark brown color.
  11. Take out of the oven, dish out and garnish with the onion rings.
  12. If wish to give the coal smoke to get that authentic barbecued flavor, aroma or the Tandoori effect, simply let the coal burn red hot over the stove. Once the Tikkas come out of the oven, put a piece of foil or stale bread in the middle of the Tikkas and place the burning hot coal piece on it with the help of a pair of tongs. Pour a drop or two of oil on that coal. Smoke will start releasing out of it. Cover the baking pan with a large lid or foil for a minute, NOT more than that. Uncover, take out the coal and the foil/bread piece and serve the Tikkas after garnishing.
  13. Serve hot with fresh Naan, Salad and Green Chutney or Mint Raitha (dip).
Serves 4-6


Ingredients needed

Pour marinade and oil over the chicken pieces
Marinated pieces

Ready to go in to the oven
Baked Chicken fresh out of the oven :)


That's all barbecue fans! :) The spice level and the baking time can always be adjusted according to your taste buds and the type of your ovens. I hope you enjoy making and eating them. Until next time, keep sharing the goodness of this greatest blessing, that has been bestowed in abundance upon us the lucky ones, with the less fortunate ones.
Thank you and please remember in your Du'as/prayers! :)

*Not be duplicated, rewritten or published without permission- Thank you! 














19 comments:

  1. I'm not sure if my last comment went through, but I wanted to say that this dish looks delicious. I loved reading your story. Sounds like you have a very sweet mom! I'm glad you now like chicken. Hahaha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I got your comment now, thank you so much for taking out time and for reading and commenting on my post; it really means a lot! I'm glad to know that you enjoyed reading my post :)
      Both my parents are very sweet as I'm sure you got the idea by reading the story and I shall remain eternally thankful to my dad for making me like to eat chicken again! Haha

      I know I need to improve a lot but comments and appreciation like yours really encourages an amateur and new blogger like me to do better next time :)
      Thank you!

      Delete
  2. I have never had chicken tikka before, sounds so delicious, I need to adventure into more exotic lands with my taste buds.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh then I'd totally recommend you to try this recipe and I'm certain, you won't be disappointed :)
      Thank you so much for taking out time to comment!

      Delete
  3. I used to LOVE chicken tikka - I haven't had it in so long though - will have to rectify that with this amazing sounding recipe!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel you'd love this one then :) Pleass try the recipe and I hope you enjoy making and eating it :)
      Thank you!

      Delete
  4. I love this chicken! I actually just had it for dinner tonight, though it was catered for a work thing. I'll have to make your recipe sometime. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's amazing! :) Please do and I hope you like it.
      Thank you!

      Delete
  5. I love Chicken Tikka but have never tried making it before - this looks amazing! I so need to start bbqing in the oven!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And once you will make it, you're most likely to get hooked on it since it's not only tasty but BBQing in the oven is quite easy and quick as well :)
      Thanks for taking out time for reading and commenting! :)

      Delete
  6. I've never had chicken tikka before, but after seeing this post... I definitely want to! :) It looks so great, so full of flavor! Isn't that funny how our tastebuds really change over time?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad to hear that and I hope you enjoy the flavours of this succulent chicken dish! :) I do agree about the change in tastebuds over time as a lot of things that I didn't like eating as a kid, totally devour now hehe
      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  7. This is my favourite among the chicken preparations ..

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's funny how this happens with some foods. I still can't eat hazelnut yoghurt as it was something that was given to be when I was sick as a child. I used to love chicken and expect I would love this, but I'm vegetarian now,, so no go.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can imagine totally! I have the same feelings for okra/ladyfingers now :D
      Thanks very much for liking regardless of your dietary restrictions. Much appreciated :)

      Delete
  9. this is a great idea to wrap chicken...Looks so delicious & pictures make me mouthwatering!!Thanks for sharing with 'Hot & Spicy Treats' Restaurant in Satya niketan

    ReplyDelete
  10. This blog is really helpful to pass on redesignd enlightening endeavors over web which is genuinely examination. I found one productive instance of this truth through this blog. Sichuan food

    ReplyDelete