
From the kitchen
Camel Milk Chicken Tikka Masala
Charred tandoori-style chicken simmered in a spiced tomato sauce finished with camel milk.
By Aunesty Janssen · The Complete Camel Milk Guide & Cookbook: A Definitive Guide to History, Science, Sourcing & 150 Original Recipes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, in 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup plain pasteurized yogurt
- 2 tbsp tandoori spice blend
- 1 tbsp neutral oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 cup tomato purée
- 1/2 cup water, plus more as needed
- 3/4 cup pasteurized camel milk
- Fine salt, to taste depending on spice blend
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
Method
- Toss chicken with yogurt and tandoori spice. Cover and refrigerate 1 to 12 hours.
- Heat oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Lift chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off, and sear in two batches 5 to 6 minutes until browned; it can finish cooking later. Discard leftover marinade.
- Lower heat and melt butter. Cook onion 7 to 8 minutes, then add tomato purée and water. Simmer 10 minutes.
- Return chicken and its plate juices. Simmer gently 8 to 12 minutes until the largest pieces reach 165°F.
- Take off direct heat, stir in milk gradually and warm gently. Taste for salt and finish with cilantro.
Cook with confidence
Before you start
Before you start
Tandoori blends vary in salt. Choose plain yogurt and boneless thighs, then season the finished sauce after tasting. Keep all marinating in the refrigerator.
Serving and keeping
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours for 3 to 4 days. Reheat to 165°F. Keep raw marinating utensils separate from the serving utensils.
Reduce Sauce, Then Check Chicken
Reduce the tomato base until thicker and darker before returning charred chicken. Continue gently until the largest pieces reach 165°F, checking earlier if the first cook was thorough. The sauce must not force an automatic extra eight minutes on chicken that is already done.
Camel Milk Is the Final Balance
Remove from direct heat before stirring in 3/4 cup camel milk. It rounds tomato and spice after all high-heat cooking is complete.
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