Malai Tikka (Chicken)

Malai, a South East Asian term used for cream. When you boil whole milk and let it cool down, the cream layer that sets on the top is called Malai. So when making these kebabs in India I would use the fresh cream.

Tikkas, It is traditionally small pieces of boneless chicken baked using skewers, in a clay-based oven called a tandoor, after marinating in spices and yogurt. These can be served as an appetizer with a salad or in the main course with other curry dishes.

Malai Tikka

RECIPE: Malai Tikkas
Ingredients
1 Lb Boneless Chicken Breast, cut in 1" pieces

Marinade #1
2 Tbsp Vinegar
1 tsp olive oil
1 Tbsp Ginger paste
1Tbsp Garlic Paste
Salt and Pepper to taste

Marinade #2
1/2 Cup Greek yogurt
1/4 Cup Part-skim Ricotta Cheese
1 Egg
1Tbsp Cornflour
2 Green Chillies, finely chopped (optional)
2 Tbsp Coriander leaves, chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Cut the chicken into bite size pieces
2. For Marinade #1: Put 6 cloves of garlic, a piece of ginger, 1 tsp olive oil and 2 Tbsp vinegar in a small blender and make a smooth paste. Marinate the chicken in it for 1/2 hour.
3. For Marinade #2: Mix together 1/2 Cup Greek yogurt, 1/4 Cup Heavy Cream, 2 Eggs, 1Tbsp Cornflour, 2 Green Chillies (chopped fine), 2 Tbsp Coriander leaves (chopped), salt and pepper to taste. After the chicken has been marinated with #1 for about 30 minutes. Add this to the bowl. Let it sit in the fridge for 2-3 hours.
4. When ready to cook, pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F. Put the chicken pieces on bamboo skewers. Set them on a tray sprayed with some oil and bake for about 15-20 minutes. Make sure that you turn them over haflway into the baking.
5. Now shift the oven rack to broil position and broil the chicken for about 5 more minutes till they brown a little. Don't let the Chicken overcook or it will get tough and chewy.
6. To serve, garnish with lemon wedges, pickled onion rings and chutney.

Step-by-step process,
Cut the chicken into bite size pieces

For Marinade #1: Put 6 cloves of garlic, a piece of ginger, 1 tsp olive oil and 2 Tbsp vinegar in a small blender and make a smooth paste. Marinate the chicken in it for 1/2 hour.

For Marinade #2: Mix together 1/2 Cup Greek yogurt, 1/4 Cup Ricotta Cheese , Egg, 1Tbsp Cornflour, 2 Green Chillies (chopped fine), 2 Tbsp Coriander leaves (chopped), salt and pepper to taste. After the chicken has been marinated with #1 for about 30 minutes. Add this to the bowl. Let it sit in the fridge for 2-3 hours.

When ready to cook, pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F. Put the chicken pieces on bamboo skewers. Set them on a tray sprayed with some oil and bake for about 15-20 minutes. Make sure that you turn them over haflway into the baking.

Now shift the oven rack to broil position and broil the chicken for about 5 more minutes till they brown a little. Don't let the Chicken overcook or it will get tough and chewy.

Browned after broiling

 To serve, garnish with lemon wedges, pickled onion rings and chutney.

They turned out really soft and succulent, hope you enjoy making them.