Malai Chicken Tikka / Kebab Recipe

Malai Chicken Tikka Kebab Recipe – Autumn has set in now. Sadly summer was much of a write off this year, due to covid and lockdowns. Talking of BBQ and grilling, one thing which I miss is doing BBQ of chicken tikkas and kebabs. Malai Chicken Tikka is one such chicken starter. The summer evenings with hot off the tandoor chicken pieces, sounds just yumm. Today sharing this Mala chicken tikka recipe which you can make on BBQ, oven, or even air fry.

What is Malai Chicken Tikka or Kebab

Malai refers to cream. This means the recipe is not hot in spices but has mild flavours. Cream and / or yogurt is normally used in the recipe to get the mild flavours. Marination of chicken in such creamy sauce and then baking gives Malai chicken tikka. It is an appetizer.

To make tikka use bones pieces. For kebab use the boneless pieces on a skewer.

Now with summer being a goner, open bbq is ruled out. George foreman, got in touch recently about their new smokeless BBQ Grill. This excited me to try out my new recipe of Malai chicken tikka on the smokeless bbq. I can now do bbq inside with this smokeless grill. The assembly of grill was super easy, and cooking even more easy. Cleaning is simple too.

Recipe of Chicken Malai Tikka is simple. It involves marinating the chicken in cream and yogurt based marination. Letting it marinate for 6-8 hrs or overnight and then bbq, or bake in oven. You can use any oven or air fryer or bbq to make it, which you may have at home.

Method

• Wash the chicken pieces and keep aside. In a mixing bowl, add fresh cream, yogurt, cashew paste, ginger garlic paste, salt, black pepper powder, and lemon juice. Mix this thoroughly.
• Add chicken pieces and 1 tablespoon of oil to it and mix again. Ensure that the chicken pieces are well coated. Cover the bowl with cling film and keep them in fridge. Let it marinate for 6-8 hours.
• Place the chicken pieces on skewers and place them on the heated barbecue or oven. Keep the heating on medium and let them grill for 20 minutes. Keep changing the sides so that chicken is evenly cooked. Brush rest of oil on top of them and let them roast for 2-3 minutes more.
• Take them out and transfer on a serving plate. Cook the drumsticks too with the same method. Drumstick will take little longer time to cook.

Pro Tips

• This recipe involves marination. Plan ahead and marinade the chicken in advance for best taste.
• Use oven if you do not have bbq. Preheat oven for 20-30 minutes on 180 degree temperature.
• Use fresh chicken where possible. If using frozen chicken thaw the chicken properly before adding in marinade. Ensure chicken pieces are thoroughly marinated.
• If using BBQ, turn chicken pieces to ensure uniform cooking.

This Malai Chicken Tikka

• Is gluten-free
• Does not require any expertise in cooking. Has got easy to follow and simple recipe
• Is mild in taste, means even kids can enjoy it.
• Acts as great starter, thanks to its great taste.

Serving suggestion

Serve this malai chicken tikka hot off the bbq or oven. It can be enjoyed on its own. You may pair with a drink of your choice like a mocktail. Whilst you can re-heat this chicken and eat later too, my recommendation will be to eat fresh for best taste and nutrition.

Recipe Card