Indian · serves 2

Murgh Malai Tikka

Creamy, mild, barely coloured. The tikka for people who find tandoori too much.

35 min Some work Non-vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 600g boneless chicken, cubed
  • 1/2 cup thick curd, hung
  • 1/4 cup cream
  • 1/3 cup grated cheese
  • 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 3 green chillies, ground
  • 1 tsp white pepper
  • 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
  • 1 tbsp cornflour
  • Butter

Method

  1. Hang the curd in a cloth 20 minutes. Watery marinade slides off and steams the chicken instead of charring it.
  2. Mix hung curd, cream, cheese, ginger-garlic, ground chillies, white pepper, cardamom, cornflour and salt.
  3. Coat the chicken. 2 hours in the fridge minimum.
  4. Very hot pan with butter. Lay the pieces down with gaps and leave them 3 minutes.
  5. Turn once. 10 minutes total — this cooks fast and dries out faster.
  6. Lemon, chaat masala, mint chutney.

Questions people ask about Murgh Malai Tikka

How long does Murgh Malai Tikka take?

About 35 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a bit of work. Most of that is active, so read the method through before you start rather than chopping as you go.

What can I use instead of chicken in Murgh Malai Tikka?

Use paneer, firm tofu or mushrooms. All three cook far faster than chicken, so add them in the last 5 minutes rather than at the start.

Can I make Murgh Malai Tikka ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Can I make Murgh Malai Tikka vegetarian?

Yes. Replace the chicken with paneer, firm tofu, mushrooms or soya chunks. All of them cook far faster than meat, so add them in the last five minutes rather than at the start, and keep the masala exactly as written.

What do you serve with Murgh Malai Tikka?

Lemon, chaat masala, mint chutney. It serves two as written. Double everything to feed four, but use a wider pan so the food still browns rather than steams.

Don't know what to cook? Let it decide →

More ideas by ingredient

If you liked this

Tawa Fish Fry
25 min · Easy
Prawn Masala
25 min · Some work
Amritsari Fish
25 min · Some work
Fish Tikka
25 min · Some work
Tawa Chicken Tikka
30 min · Some work
Goan Fish Curry
30 min · Some work