Chicken Tikka Masala

I got this recipe from http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/ - one of my new favorite places to find recipes. My husband really likes Indian food but it is quite pricey to buy at a restaurant. This ingredient list is mildly lengthy and requires a few things you may not have on hand, but it is well worth it and not too difficult to make!

CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA

1 cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (can be substituted for paprika if you don't want it so spicy)
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 tablespoons minced fresh ginger (Can be left out or just use regular ground ginger)
1 teaspoon salt
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Combine all ingredients except chicken. Pour sauce over chicken and refrigerate for one hour. Grill or cook chicken in frying pan. Discard marinade.

1 tablespoon butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped (can also be left out)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 8-oz can tomato sauce
1 cup cream
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic and jalapeno for one minute. Season with cumin, paprika and salt. Stir in tomato sauce and cream. Simmer on low heat until sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Add grilled chicken and simmer for 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve over hot rice.

*I left out the cayenne pepper and the jalapeno when I made this recipe for fear that it would be too hot; however, I ended up adding just less than ¼ tsp. to the final sauce because we like things a little bit more spicy at my house.

In case you are new to cooking and aren't sure what the reference to "CREAM" is - it is the whipping cream that you find at the grocery story by the sour cream and milk that comes in little cartons. There are different options for whipping cream including heavy and half and half. You just need the one that is basic, with no special things about it!