Chicken Tikka Masala

OK, so I usally pride myself in doing most everything from scratch...so this is a little bit of a cheat for me.  Trust me though, it is totally worth it.  We absolutely love Indian food, but it can be very tricky to get the spice combinations just right.  AND not to mention, it can be hugely expensive to by 15 different spices for one dish that you may only make once every few months!  That's exactly why I leave the hard work to the experts.  This is such an easy dish with so much flavor and is great to begin to introduce Indian flavors into your cooking (it's not too "out there" for picky eaters).

 This is the spice packet I use.  The brand is Arora Creations.  You can buy it at Whole Foods, Central Market, or any other Specialty Grocery Store.  You can also order it online at www.aroracreations.com
There is a recipe on the back of the packet, and I follow it to an extent, but I have developed my own adaptation. 

Saute 1 Chopped onion in 1/4 Cup olive oil for about 10 minutes.  Add 4 cloves garlic chopped and saute for 5 more minutes until the onions get brown.

Then add 2 Tbl. chopped fresh ginger.  If you have never worked with fresh ginger before, it can be found in the grocery store right by the garlic.  I think it also probably the cheapest thing in the grocery store.  Mine was 6 cents!

Cut the skin off and finely chop the ginger.  It is a pale yellow color and you want to chop it very fine cause it has a tendency to be stringy and you don't want a big stringy piece in your food. 

Add this to your onion mixture and cook for another 2-3 minutes.  Then add half a packet of the Tikka Masala Seasoning packet.  Stir constantly for 3 minutes.  This will allow the spices to brown and they will release more flavor. 

Then add (1) 8 oz can tomato sauce and cook for another 3 minutes stirring continuously. 

Next add (2) chicken breasts, cubed.  This is a very "Indian" style of cooking.  In most American cooking, we would cook the chicken before adding into the sauce.  Here you add in the raw chicken and the meat will actually cook in the sauce. 

Cook the chicken, stirring frequently for 10 minutes.  Then add 1/4 Cup dry white wine and 2/3 Cup water.  Stir, cover, and cook for another 10 minutes. 

Serve over rice (I usually use basmatti or jasmine) and top with chopped fresh parsley. 

Chicken Tikka Masala
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
1 White onion, chopped
4 Cloves Garlic, chopped
2 Tbl. Fresh Ginger, chopped
1/2 Packet Arora Creations Tikka Masala Spice Packet
1 8oz. Can Tomato Sauce
2 Chicken Breasts, Chopped
1/4 Cup Dry White Wine
2/3 Cup Water
Cooked Rice and Parsley for Serving