The words “Skinny” and “Chicken Tikka Masala” don’t usually go together.

I don’t know about you, but when I go out for Indian food I usually over eat.  Common conversation when people are eating CTM usually goes like this:

“OMG this is so good!”

“Yeah, I can’t stop eating it once I start.”

“Don’t they use that “ghee” stuff?”

“Yeah, what’s that?”

and then everyone proceeds to eat and get really full.

Indian food tastes so good, but I always find it hard to hit the “off” switch once I start inhaling it.  All that salty, creamy, rich, ghee filled, spicy, goodness is addictive and sinfully delicious.

Reality hits the next day.  The salt hangover when you wake up is never any fun.  Familiar with that bloated, highly irritable feeling?  Going to Indian restaurants has become a pretty rare thing around here.  Again, not ’cause I don’t love it, because I like it too much!

Being that life is about balance.  I figured making a Skinny Chicken Tikka Masala would be a great compromise.  This way I can have it any time, feel like I am indulging…..without the ick feeling after.  I referenced some traditional CTM recipes for this dish and I altered them to fit into the MarlaMeridith.com profile……clean, healthy and yummy!  Not overly salted, extra fatty, bloat inducing food!  This recipe is “everyday” food.

Bonus: my kids liked it too!!  I’d say that is good stuff all around.

BTW: About that Ghee…..it  is just clarified butter.  Basically boiled butter.  The milk solids sink to the bottom and a beautiful, tasty golden liquid (ghee) is left on the top.  Everything good in small amounts.  Ghee is not too different than butter, as there is nothing else in it.  As a matter of fact, some would say ghee is healthier than butter ’cause a lot of the artery cloggers are strained out.  Happy thoughts!

Skinny Chicken Tikka Masala

about 8 Servings

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tsp. Smoked Paprika
• 1 tbs. ground Tumeric
• 4 tsp. Garam Masala
• 1 tsp. Ground Ginger
• Garlic: about 6 cloves, peeled
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 28oz Can Chopped or Whole Tomatoes, not drained
• 2 lbs Organic Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast, cut into 1″cubes
• 1/3 cup plain Nonfat Yogurt, Greek Style best, regular OK too
• 1 tbs. Ghee or Butter
• 1 tsp ground Coriander
• 1 tsp ground Cumin
• 1 tbs. Paprika
• salt to taste
• 1 cup diced Red Pepper
• 1 diced Onion
• 1 cup Light Coconut Milk
• optional: ground Hot Pepper to taste, all depends on how spicy you want your masala
• Cilantro Leaves to garnish

METHOD

1. In a blender or food processor combine Smoked Paprika, Tumeric, Garam Masala, Garlic, Ginger, and Water.  Add Tomatoes. Puree until smooth.
2. In a bowl combine two tablespoons of the above mixture with Yogurt, some Salt and Chicken.  Let marinate for about 1/2 hour.
3. Arrange rack in oven so it is about 4″ from top.  Set oven to Broil.
4. Put marinated Chicken on baking sheet lined with foil.  Broil for about 5-6 minutes, until lightly browned, and cooked through.
5. Heat Ghee or Butter in sauce pan on medium-high heat.
6. Add Coriander and Cumin, let toast for a few minutes in Ghee/Butter until fragrant.
7. Add Paprika, Onions and Red Pepper.  Saute until softened, about 7 minutes.
8. Add Tomato/Masala mixture.  Add a sprinkle of Hot Pepper if using.
9. Stir in Coconut Milk. Let sauce come to a boil and then simmer for another 7 minutes.
10. Add Chicken and and any extra salt to taste, simmer for a few more minutes.

You can serve your Skinny Chicken Tikka Masala with any rice choice, steamed veggies and a light salad.  Basmati rice is the traditional choice.

This sauces gets better with age.  When the flavors have a chance to marry over night they get more delicious!

Basmati Rice

For our Basmati in the photo, I use the “free boil” method.  This is when the rice doesn’t absorb all the water in the pot, sort of like how you cook pasta.  It has room to roll and tumble around.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup Organic Basmati Rice
• sprinkle of ground Tumeric (this will give rice that pretty yellow color)
• salt to taste

METHOD

Fresh Variations:

• Instead of Chicken Breast you can use lean Sirloin, cube it, marinate, broil and toss in sauce (same as above)
• Shrimp or Scallops: I would skip the broil part and just toss in simmering sauce until cooked through.
• Tofu, Tempeh: Skip the broil part and just toss in simmering sauce until cooked through.
• You can also add more of your favorite veggies to the sauce as it is cooking.