Indian CuisineIndian FoodDurban Indian

Chicken Tikka

Name: Chicken Tikka
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Yield: Serves 4
Cuisine: Durban Indian, South African
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon ginger & garlic paste; 5 tablespoons Amina’s Chicken Tikka Marinate; 1 1/2 tablespoons Kashmiri chilli powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 4 chicken breasts or thighs; 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns (optional); 1 tablespoon plain yoghurt or sourmilk (maas) – I used sourmilk (maas)

Make authentic Chicken Tikka with this foolproof recipe. Packed with rich traditional flavor, step-by-step photos, and cooking tips by Denisiya on EatMee Recipes.

By DenisiyaPublished on October 26, 2016

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Prep Time15 mins

🍳

Cook Time70 mins

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Total Time85 mins

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ServingsServes 4

This Indian Recipe Serves 2-4

Chicken tikka or Murgh tikka is a chicken dish originating in South Asia where it stays prevalent in Bangladesh, India & Pakistan. It is also a common dish in South Africa as there are a lot of Indian citizens in the country. It is customarily little bits of boneless chicken heated utilizing sticks in clay oven called a tandoor, subsequent to marinating in flavors & yoghurt—basically a boneless rendition of tandoori chicken.

The word tikka signifies “bits” or “pieces“. It is likewise a chicken dish served in Punjabi cooking. The Punjabi rendition of the dish, be that as it may, is barbecued over super hot coals, & does not generally contain boneless pieces.

In South Africa, it is served as quarter pieces of a whole chicken, be it the breasts or thighs. It is often served with naan or roti.

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Ingredients

Scale:

Base Yield: Serves 4

1 teaspoon ginger & garlic paste
5 tablespoons Amina’s Chicken Tikka Marinate
1 1/2 tablespoons Kashmiri chilli powder
1 teaspoon salt
4 chicken breasts or thighs
1 teaspoon whole peppercorns (optional)
1 tablespoon plain yoghurt or sourmilk (maas) – I used sourmilk (maas)

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Step-by-Step Instructions

11 Steps

Step 1
Rinse chicken breast or thigh pieces.
Step 2
Poke the chicken pieces with a knife so that when it cooks, it will cook evenly. You can also butterfly the chicken breasts.
Step 3
Place chicken pieces in a bowl.
Step 4
Marinate the chicken with Amina’s chicken tikka marinade, ginger & garlic paste, yoghurt or sourmilk, salt, peppercorns (optional) & Kashmiri chilli powder. (If you do not have Amina’s marinade available to you, then I suggest mixing some spices like garam masala, dhania powder, jeera powder, curry powder,chilli powder & marinade the chicken along with the other ingredients that followed).
Step 5
Cover the bowl & place in the refrigerator for a hour or more.
Step 6
Heat a skillet or electric pan & place the marinated chicken pieces on the heated surface- keep on low heat. Alternatively, braai or grill the chicken pieces or stick them in the oven at 180° C for about 50-55 minutes.
Step 7
Cover with a lid if possible, so that the chicken can cook throughout.
Step 8
Turn the chicken every 10-15 minutes, so it does not burn & the chicken can cook on both sides.
Step 9
When the chicken is almost done cooking, turn the heat up so that it can get that char grilled coating.
Step 10
Remove from heat & serve hot with roti or naan & freshly fried chips. Don’t forget the chilli sauce.
Step 11
The above image was served with garlic naan.

Video Tutorial

Watch How It's Made

Follow along with Denisiya's step-by-step video guide for Chicken Tikka.

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Frequently Asked Questions & Cooking Tips

Expert kitchen guidance and troubleshooting for making the best Chicken Tikka

Can I adjust the spice and chilli levels in Chicken Tikka?

Absolutely! You can easily tailor the heat by increasing or reducing the chili powder and fresh chilies to suit your family’s palate without compromising the authentic flavor profile.

Can I freeze leftovers of this dish?

Yes, you can freeze Chicken Tikka in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before gently reheating.

How do I reheat leftovers for best flavor?

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water, or in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.

Denisiya - Founder & Chef at EatMee Recipes

About the Creator

Meet Denisiya

Hi, I'm Denisiya! Food lover, recipe developer, and founder of EatMee Recipes. I specialize in authentic South African Durban Indian cuisine, comforting curries, and modern Instant Pot adaptations. Every recipe on this site is tested in my personal kitchen to ensure you get mouth-watering, foolproof results every time.

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Chicken Tikka

Cook Along With Denisiya on YouTube

This Indian Recipe Serves 2-4

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

Watch How It's Made

Frequently Asked Questions & Cooking Tips

Meet Denisiya

Comments & Community

Leave a Comment

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