Chicken Tikka Masala

My goal is to post monthly. I even aspire to post weekly...But this recipe is so good that I can't wait!

My family has indulged in Chicken Tikka Masala for years. I stumbled upon this recipe while looking for a Butter Chicken recipe and we've been hooked ever since. I was  introduced to Indian Cuisine about 10 years ago and the spice and flavor keep bringing me back to it. I love ethnic dishes. I grew up in a vegetarian household and a large majority of ethnic dishes are vegetarian. Lots of flavor and lots of spice were the star in those meals of my youth, and although it is not vegetarian, spice and flavor take a front seat in this dish.

I was given a challenge to convert Chicken Tikka Masala into a meal in a jar. I LOVE Chicken Tikka Masala, so I could not pass up this challenge. Actually, I think I hijacked this opportunity. I love this dish!

I'm also excited to use a new ingredient. Garlic! You might be thinking, "Really?" That's new? Well, for a meal in a jar, Thrive doesn't sell freeze dried garlic in bulk because they won't source their ingredients from countries like China. So, I'm on my own in the garlic department. This week I shopped at a discount surplus store and found a 5 lb. bag of dried garlic slices!! I should probably compose myself, because after all, its just garlic, but I won't. I'm excited to use this in my Meals in a Jar!

Chicken Tikka Masala in a Jar

Layer ingredients in 3 parts.

In a Quart Size Jar:

1^st part: Chicken Marinade

½ c. Thrive Greek yogurt bites

½ tsp. Thrive Lemonade powder

2 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

½ tsp. cayenne pepper

1 tsp. Thrive Peppercorn blend

1 tsp. ground ginger

1 tsp. Thrive Chef’s Choice Seasoning or salt

2 c. Thrive Grilled Chicken Slices

In a ZIPPER SANDWICH BAG:

2^nd part: Sauce

1 tsp. dried garlic flakes or ½ tsp, granulated garlic

1 tsp. Thrive Green Chilis

1 tsp. ground cumin

2 tsp. smoked paprika

1 tsp. Thrive Chef’s Choice Seasoning or salt

½ c. Thrive Tomato Powder

1/3 c. Thrive Sour Cream Powder

1 tsp. Thrive Cilantro

  

In a ZIPPER SANDWICH BAG

3^rd part: Rice Seasoning

1 tsp. whole cumin

2 tbsp. Thrive Chopped Onion

1 tsp. Thrive Chef’s Choice Seasoning

1 tsp. dried garlic or ½ tsp granulated garlic

Day of cooking Ingredients:

2 C. Uncooked basmati or white rice

2 Tbsp. olive oil or butter, divided

Layer 1^st part of ingredients in a quart jar. 

Measure 2^nd part of ingredients into a zipper sandwich bag. Close bag and label as sauce bag and place in jar. 

Measure 3^rd part of ingredients into a zipper snack size bag. Close and label as Rice Spice bag and place into jar

Cooking day:

Remove 2 bags from jar. Add 1 c. of water to chicken and marinade in jar. Close jar tightly and gently toss to coat all the ingredients with water - repeat this often as you cook the rest of the meal. 

In a medium pot, add 1 tbsp. olive oil, spice bag and 2 cups basmati rice to 4 c. cold water. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to low for 15 minutes. Turn heat off but do not remove lid. 

While rice is cooking, place a cold sauce pan on the stove. In sauce pan, whisk contents of sauce bag with 2 ½ cups of water. Add 1 tbsp. olive oil, turn heat to medium and bring to a simmer, whisking often until sauce starts to thicken.   

Fold chicken and marinade into sauce. 

Simmer 2-3 minutes. Serve over rice. Garnish with fresh cilantro.

If you like Indian food, and even better if you like Chicken Tikka Masala, 

your taste buds will thank you for days!