Paleo Chicken Tikka Masala

Spicy, Intensely Flavorful, and So Easy to Prepare, This is the Perfect Weeknight Meal

Can't you just smell the spicy aromatic goodness from there? Where are they on the technology for scratch and sniff for screens?

This dish is fantastic and super easy. And spicy. Oh, man. Lotta spice. Dealing with seasonal allergies? Nose stuffed up? Do yourself a favor and make this. Or just make this because it's delicious. You're golden either way.

Ingredients:
1 1/2- 2lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
1 can crushed or diced tomatoes, mostly drained
1 6 oz. can tomato paste
1 cup coconut milk (from a carton, not the thick stuff from a can. That stuff is a great for a ton of recipes but not this one)
1 large onion, diced
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
1 Tablespoon ginger, chopped
2 Tablespoons garam masala
1 1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
6-7 cloves garlic, chopped

****As you know, part of the credo at Platonic Paleo is that I give you doable, delicious, and nutritious recipes which won't send you running to the store for odd ingredients. There are a LOT of spices and related ingredients in this one, and I don't want to stress you out. If you don't have one or two of the ingredients above, don't worry about it. The rest of the spices can shoulder the load of the great flavor of this dish. The only ingredient you absolutely need need for this one is the garam masala.

Directions:

Friends, this is a really easy recipe, direction-wise. You are going to be wowed how easy and quick it can be to create an intense and well-rounded flavor.

1. Put your chicken in a pan with little coconut, avocado, or olive oil, and saute it up. You are going to chop the chicken into 1"-2" chunks at some point so you can do that before or after the cooking. Up to you. 

2. While your chicken is cooking, get your side dish started. This intensely-flavored dish should be served over something neutral. Whether you're using steamed cauliflower, lentils, or what have you, get it started now so everything will be done around the same time

3. Now get your sauce ingredients together. Chop what needs chopping, per the ingredients list. Toss the tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, salt, ginger, all the spices, and the garlic in your food processor or powerful blender

4. Blend it together for 10-15 seconds. Add half the coconut milk and blend another 10 seconds. Add the rest of the coconut milk and blend another 10 seconds

5. When the chicken is done sauteing, remove it from the pan onto a cutting board and chop it into 1"-2" pieces, touching it as little as possible because it's going to be hot. 

6. Grab a different pan and toss the chicken pieces into it, and add the sauce from the food processor, and simmer together for about 10 minutes. This will help the flavors mingle, and really adds to the dish

7. Scoop it over your side dish and devour. The spice and flavor here is incredible and yummy and intense. Pour yourself a glass of coconut or cashew milk to cool your mouth down as needed

How did this dish go over in your house? Were you sweating by the end of the meal from the heat of the spices? Leave me a comment with your thoughts and what you served with it, I'd love to hear from you