My successful experiment with the CHICKEN TIKKA

I never really found the need to cook anything other than the basic meal of dal and rice when I was India. Owing to my mother who cooked such fantastic non vegetarian delights I never even gave any thought to touching raw meat and fish before they turned into a scrumptious meal at home. Once you land seven seas away from home and you have to make the best of what comes your way you start to experiment with cooking as that's the only possible way to remain fit and healthy both physically and financially as well. Thus began the experiment of cooking chicken with generous help from YouTube-The master chef to every culinary amateur person. Believe it or not, what I wish to share ahead is an experiment which met with success in the first attempt, hence it is and will always be a special one. And so that others may also find the same success in their kitchen I wish to share it ...

So here goes....(the measures are according to taste and preference so don't be surprised if I may have not mentioned it in many places )

Ingredients :

• Boneless chicken (cut into bite sized chunks)
• Bamboo skewers(to be soaked around an hour before you start the grilling)
• Red chilli powder (Kashmiri variety works wonders)
• Turmeric
• Garam masala (Indian blend of spices readily available at Indian grocery stores)
• Ginger paste
• Garlic paste
• Lemon/lime juice (yes lemon and lime are different.. How??? Google it!)
• Yogurt/Curd
• Oil (any type can be used)
• Salt (according to taste)
• Pepper (only if you want to)

You need an oven or a microwave with convection mode for grilling the chicken. Stove top also works fine. But since I've decided on a healthy option let me stick to the oven.

METHOD :

1. Cut the chicken into small bite sized pieces and towel dry the pieces so that the marinade works its wonders on to them and the pieces aren't charred because of the water content ( Just trying to show off with my culinary skills ;) )
   
2. Add the one teaspoon each of the ingredients- red chilli powder,turmeric powder,garam masala,ginger and garlic paste.
3. Add a few drops of the lemon juice and a spoonful of yogurt along with a pinch of salt and a dash of pepper (if you wish). Mix in a tablespoon of oil so that the pieces remain soft after grilling.
4. MIX well, so that the lovely marinade covers each of the chicken chunks fully.
   
5. Make sure you rest the marinated chicken ideally overnight or the minimum time you can keep it is for around an hour. Try to cover it with a plastic film and leave it in the refrigerator.The way shown below.
   
6. Take the container out half an hour before you begin to grill it. Make sure your skewers are ready after their long soak in water. String the chunks into the skewers. And spray them with oil.(if you're on a diet you can skip this as you have already added oil in the marinade). Make sure you use a greased container or the chicken will stick to the bottom of the pan.
   
   
   
   
   
        
7. Preheat the oven to 420 Degree F and cook for 12 minutes . After that turn and cook for another 10 minutes.
   
   
   
   
8. And voila!! your chicken tikkas are ready!!
   

Have them as a snack or add it to rice for your own version of CHICKEN TIKKA BIRYANI...As I did...

If you happen to try out this easy version do let me know how it turned out and don't forget to add your own twist to this version and own the dish!!