Chicken Tikka Alfredo

Chicken Tikka Alfredo

from delish.com
75 min
4 servings

Chicken Tikka Alfredo combines the rich, creamy pasta with spicy, yogurt-marinated chicken into the perfect cross-continental dish.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs, patted dry with a paper towel
  • 1/2 c. full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp. ginger, minced
  • 1 1/2 tsp. garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp. cayenne
  • Cooking spray
  • 3 tbsp. ghee or butter
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp. fresh ginger, minced
  • 1 to 2 serrano peppers, seeded, deveined, and minced
  • 2 tbsp. garam masala
  • 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 tsp. ground coriander
  • 1 tsp. ground cardamom
  • 1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste
  • 1 3/4 c. water
  • 2 tsp. honey
  • 1 c. heavy cream
  • Kosher salt
  • 1 lb. bucatini or spaghetti
  • 1/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan
  • Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Directions

  1. 1

    Prepare chicken: In a large bowl, toss chicken thighs, yogurt, garlic, ginger, and spices until completely coated. Cover with plastic wrap, transfer to refrigerator, and marinate for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.

  2. 2

    Meanwhile, prepare sauce: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, melt ghee over medium-high heat. Add onions, garlic, ginger, and serrano peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and beginning to brown on the edges, 8 to 10 minutes.

  3. 3

    Reduce heat to medium and stir in spices. Cook until very fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook until dark red, 2 to 3 minutes more.

  4. 4

    Whisk in water, ensuring there are no clumps, then add honey. Take off  heat and stir in cream. Use an immersion blender or carefully pour sauce into a traditional blender and blend sauce until totally smooth. Return sauce to pot.

  5. 5

    Position an oven rack 5" to 6" from the broiler and heat broiler. Line a baking sheet with foil and grease with cooking spray. Transfer marinated chicken to baking sheet, ensuring some yogurt remains on chicken.

  6. 6

    Broil chicken, flipping once halfway through, until cooked through and charred, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let cool, then roughly chop and add to sauce.

  7. 7

    Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

  8. 8

    Bring sauce to a bare simmer and add cooked pasta and Parmesan. Cook, tossing, until everything is heated through, about 2 minutes. 

  9. 9

    Garnish with cilantro before serving.