Chicken Malai Tikka Recipe
This Chicken Malai Tikka is basically grilled luxury. It’s creamy, smoky, ridiculously soft, and honestly, way too good to share. Boneless chicken gets drenched in rich yogurt, cream, and spices, then charred to perfection. Each bite is buttery, juicy, and loaded with flavor. If you think grilling at home is hard, this recipe will prove you wrong. No tandoor? No problem. This beauty works on a pan, oven, or grill. Serve it with mint chutney, lemon wedges, or just eat it straight off the skewer. Get ready to impress yourself and everyone else.
Chicken Malai Tikka Recipe
Juicy chicken bites marinated in creamy spices, then grilled to golden perfection.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 ½ lbs boneless chicken cut into cubes
- ¼ cup thick yogurt
- ¼ cup heavy cream malai
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
- 1 tablespoon cheese grated, optional but amazing
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch for extra crispiness
- 2 tablespoons butter or oil for basting
For Garnish:
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Lemon wedges
- Mint chutney
Instructions
- Dump all the marinade ingredients into a bowl and mix until smooth.
- Toss in the chicken pieces, coat them evenly, and let them marinate for at least an hour.
- Preheat your grill or oven to medium-high heat.
- Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers, leaving a little space between each piece.
- Brush the skewers with butter or oil to ensure a perfect char.
- Grill for about 10 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
- If using an oven, bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
- For a smoky finish, place a hot coal in a bowl, add a drop of butter, and cover the dish for 2 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon before serving.
- Serve hot with mint chutney and watch it disappear.
Notes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~320
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 34g
Vitamins & Minerals (Per Serving)
- Calcium: 15%
- Vitamin A: 12%
- Iron: 10%
- Vitamin B12: 20%
- Zinc: 18%
Pro Tips for the Best Chicken Malai Tikka
- Use thick yogurt so the marinade sticks better.
- Grate cheese into the marinade for extra richness.
- Don’t skip the butter basting—it gives that perfect smoky flavor.
- Marinate overnight if you have time—it’ll be even softer.
- For a street-style char, use a blowtorch or broiler for the final touch.
