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Paleo + Whole30 Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

5 from 4 votes
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Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 4 teaspoons ginger peeled and minced
  • 4 teaspoons ground turmeric
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 3 cups full fat coconut milk
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 tablespoons ghee
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 1 6 oz can tomato paste
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 28- ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro plus sprigs for garnish
  • Prepared cauliflower rice for serving

Method
 

  1. Mix garlic, ginger, turmeric, garam masala, coriander, and cumin in a small bowl.
  2. Whisk 1 cup of the full fat coconut milk, salt, and half of spice mixture in a medium bowl. Add this mixture to a gallon plastic bag (or storage container of choice), add chicken, and ensure it’s fully submerged in the mixture. Cover and chill 4-6 hours. Cover and chill remaining spice mixture.
  3. Heat ghee in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, tomato paste, cardamom, and red pepper flakes. Stir often for 5 minutes, until the onion becomes soft. Add remaining half of spice mixture and cook, continuing to stir, about 4 minutes.
  4. Add diced tomatoes with juices. Bring to a boil, then simmer, stirring often until sauce thickens, 8-10 minutes.
  5. Add the entire sauce that’s in the pot to a blender. Add remaining 2 cups coconut milk and chopped cilantro. Blend until smooth.
  6. Return sauce back to the pot and add chicken and remaining marinade. Coat the chicken in the sauce, and simmer undisturbed until the chicken is fully cook and the sauce has thickened, about 20-30 minutes.
  7. Serve chicken and sauce over prepared cauliflower rice, and top with sprigs of cilantro.

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