Soft and juicy chicken chunks marinated in a mildly spicy and tangier Indian Achari Masala - Achari Chicken Tikka is a definite crowd pleaser. Serve with mint yogurt dip for a rendezvous!
"My hero doesn’t wear a cape or tights; he doesn’t have superpowers and he can’t lift cars, but he wears stars on his shoulders and fights to defend his country. And that is enough for me."
Early March, like any other blogger, saw me in a crisis. Day in and day out I pondered over what my theme should be for the yearly #AtoZChallenge. With the help from some of my dear friends, I arrived at a conclusion that my theme would revolve around party foods. However, something was amiss and as I typed the Theme Reveal post during the last week of the month, I knew what I should be doing.
So ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, if you are wondering what I'm blabbering here, just know that you are going to find some quick and sumptuous party foods along with a slice of my life as an Army Wife.
A few days later after I got married to my soldier and stepped foot into this lifestyle, I realized that I am expected to grow overnight from a young girl to a lady. I had to groom my skills in the culinary art as it was indispensable in coping with the constant stream of parties and get-togethers that I had to participate in.
From a simple 'dropping-in', coffee mornings, entertaining a bunch of ravenous Young Officers at midnight, picnics and children's parties to entertaining dignitaries and foreign delegations, an Army Wife has to rise to all occasions.
Our chequerboard lifestyle is bonded together by continuous meetings over meals.
I wasn't born a great cook, in fact, I never even knew how to make a perfect cup of Chai before I was engaged. So all that I learnt over the years is through the trial and error method. Also, phone calls with Mom and Dad (they have exceptional talent in this forte), referring various cookbooks and food blogs, watching my favorite food channels on television and youtube, and getting inputs from fellow Army Wives has definitely helped in my grooming as a not-so-bad cook (I cannot call myself a chef. Not now, anyway).
Coming to the recipe.
The main ingredient for the Achari Chicken Tikka is the Achari Masala. I blindly followed the recipe for the Achari Masala by Whisk Affair and the delicious amalgamation of flavors of the spices makes this Chicken Tikka a humongous success.
Achari Masala is a blend of spices used for making an Achar or a Pickle.
The main spices include fennel, fenugreek, onion seeds, cumin and coriander seeds. Thus, adding this spice blend to a chicken tikka will give the typical pickling flavor - slightly tangy and bitter. I prepare the masala in bulk and add it to everyday dishes like a Potato Fry, Chicken Curry or even for the marinating the fish for a Fish Fry. Trust me, no store bought masala is better than homemade ones.
How to prepare Moroccan Spice Blend
Achari Chicken Tikka is boneless chicken chunks marinated in Achari masala, yogurt, and other spices and grilled to juicy perfection. You can use chicken breasts or chicken thighs for preparing this tikka.
Traditionally, tikkas are cooked in a tandoor. However, you can grill or barbecue as well. The ease of preparation and of course, the deliciousness has made tikkas a hot favorite across the world.
Serve this spicy succulent Achari Chicken Tikka with mint chutney or a Schezwan Mayo Dip. Perfect party food!
Achari Chicken Tikka Recipe:
Print
Achari Chicken Tikka
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: Serves 2
Description
Boneless chicken chunks marinated in Achari masala, yogurt, and other spices and grilled to juicy perfection - Achari Chicken Tikka is a definite crowd-pleaser. Serve with mint yogurt dip for a rendezvous!
Ingredients
- 250 gm Boneless chicken, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 2 tsp Lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Ginger Garlic paste
- ¼ cup yogurt
- 1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder
- ½ tsp Red chilli powder
- 1 tsp Garam masala
- 1 tsp Chicken/Meat masala
- ½ tsp Cumin powder
- 2 tbsp Dried Fenugreek leaves (Kasturi Methi)
- 1 tbsp mustard oil
- Salt, as needed
- Oil for grilling/ Butter for basting
For Achari Masala:
- 1 tsp Mustard seeds
- 1 tsp Coriander seeds
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds
- 1 tsp Fennel
- ½ tsp Nigella seeds (Kalonji)
- ¼ tsp Fenugreek seeds
- ¼ tsp Carom seeds (Ajwain)
- 4 red chillies
Instructions
- Dry roast the spices for the Achari Masala till light brown and fragrant. Allow it to cool down and blend to a coarse powder.
- Wash and pat dry the chicken chunks.
- Add all the ingredients (except the oil for frying) and a tablespoon of Achari masala which you've just made to the chicken.
- Marinate and keep aside for at least an hour.
- Grease the grill plates with butter/oil.
- Skewer the marinated chicken chunks and grill on both sides basting butter/oil till nicely browned. This would take about 10-15 minutes.
- Serve hot with mint chutney or schezwan mayo dip
Notes
Soak the wooden skewers in water for an hour before use.
Dry roast the spices for the Achari powder till it turns light brown. Do not brown them, the masala would taste bitter.
- Prep Time: 0 hours
- Cook Time: 0 hours
- Category: Appetizer/Party Food
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
Substitute Chicken with Paneer for a vegetarian option. It would just be as good!
Love the recipe? Pin it for later.
I’m participating in the #AtoZChallenge and I’m posting 26 Party Foods that I make in my Army Wife Kitchen. Follow my posts this April and before you know it, you'll be cooking up a storm. Stay tuned!
That's all for now, folks!
Find: more Party Foods here
In 2017 : A as in Aloo Paratha
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P.S: Love reading dog tales? Head over to my personal blog now to know what I've planned for you there this #AtozChallenge.
Ripon hassan says
You have described everything so nicely that really helped me. I am sure that this achari chicken tikka will fulfill the taste buds of every party lover. Looking forward for more of such delicious recipes in future too.
★★★★★
Annaletchumi. V says
Hi, how much achari masala do you add. Not mentioned in ingredients. Thanks
Shalini says
A tablespoon or so will be sufficient for 200gms of chicken. I've updated the recipe now. Thanks for dropping by.
Ryan Fernandes says
Oh I love achari kebabs. The tangy taste is a delight on the taste buds. Happy to discover your blog 🙂
Subroto says
The photographs are making me drool. While I do make a mean tikka myself this achari flavor is a nice twist, I will be making this soon.
anupriya says
I am a vegetarian but the pictures of your chicken tikka make me question my food preferences. Looking forward to read more from you.
Melanie Crouse says
This looks delicious! I'm definitely giving it a try! I'm visiting from the A-Z challenge
Shalini says
Thanks, Melanie. Happy A to Z 🙂
Julie says
We love spicy foods and this is a recipe I can’t wait to try! Looking forward to sharing it with family and friends. Your pictures are beautiful. Can’t wait to see what your b post is!
Shalini says
Thanks very much, Julie. I hope you try it out soon. 🙂
Sreedeep says
Yummy, Shalini. Wish we could share food through the net as well 🙂 Great start to the challenge, waiting for more rocking food!
Stepheny Houghtlin says
Wow! I don't know when I have seen a more well-presented blog post than this....and I have looked at a thousand blogs over the years of participating in the #Challenge. I am visiting by finding you on the participants' list. The clarity of the writing piece, the photographing support, the theme....this will be a published cookbook when all is said and done. A great fund-raising book perhaps to support our army soldiers and their wives. Congratulations on this amazing amount of work. I am now following. If you have an interest in reading, BOOKSTORES is my theme this year. Amazing architecture, locations, and people who sell books. You get a blue ribbon for this beautifully presented #Challenge. Stephenyhoughtlin.com
Tasha Duncan-Drake says
This sounds absolutely lovely. I adore chicken dishes and having it on a skewer makes for great party food.
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings - Movie Monsters
LIsa says
My husband loves this dish when he eats at a local restaurant. I would love to make at home but I'm not sure I can purchase all of the spices at my local grocery store. After toasting those spices, I would bet that it smells wonderful in your home!!
LIsa says
loved reading your blog. My husband loves this dish when we eat at a local restaurant. I'm not even sure that I can purchase all of these spices in my grocery store, though. I would imagine your home smells wonderful after toasting the spices!!
Shipra Trivedi says
Hi Shalini. For a vegetarian like me, this post is little of the course. BUT i am taking inspiration to make it with Mushrooms. Thanks for sharing. Do share veg recipes next 🙂
Karen says
It looks delicious. I love that you can create the achari masala in bulk and then add to various dishes.
Shalini says
Thanks, Karen. You must try it! 🙂
Shantala says
I am missing a few ingredients for the achari masala, but I will get them and try this out really soon. For now I have pinned this deliciousness.
Shalini says
Thank you, Shantala. <3
Cheryl Sterling says
As with everything you cook, this looks delicious.
Shalini says
Thanks, Cheryl. Means a lot.
V says
I agree with Roshan. Not sure how I'll survive a month of these, but the dish sure looks mouth-watering(ly) deeeeelishus! 🙂
Shalini says
thank you, V. Means a lot 🙂
Soumya says
Just look how tender the meat is!!! I'm drooling here :')
Since I'm married to a vegetarian, I'll make this with Paneer soon.
Looking forward to more such party foods!
Shalini says
Thanks, Soumya. Of course, and please do let me know how it turns out for you.
Natasha says
I'm drooling now shalzzz. What a well written post and what drool worthy snap shots. I gotta try this soon for sure, once I move back to being non-veg again. Currently veg for a while.
You are such a brave heart to do two simultaneous theme and here we all struggle with one! Kudos girl.
Shalini says
Oh yay! Thanks, Natz. Means a lot. Try with Paneer though?
pragun says
Wow looks yummy
Shalini says
Thank you.
Surbhi Prapanna says
Awesome theme and it seems that you are a great cook, though I am a vegetarian but enjoyed reading the post, will try with some veg ingredients. thanks for sharing.#BlogchatterA2z
Shalini says
Thanks, Surbhi for your kind words. Try with potatoes or paneer?
Anagha Yatin says
Best blen ever... recipes and slice of army life! Tasty read this one Shalini.
Shalini says
Thank you, Anagha 🙂
Shilpa Gupte says
It's simply YUMMM....no doubt about that!
So, what I am thinking is, I will invite myself to your place, and learn the recipes from you and play Nanny to my Muffy! Isn't that a brilliant idea? Hehehe...I get to eat awesome food, meet an awesome blogger and play with my heartthrob!
Shalini says
Oh yay! That's splendid, Shilpa. Please do come over. Muffy and I would love to have you. <3
Sayanti Deb says
The dish is really mouthwatering and one of my favorite chicken dishes. Noted your recipe, Shalini and will try it on the next weekend.
Shalini says
Yay! Thanks, Sayanti.
Neha Tambe says
This sounds delicious! I am a vegetarian, I guess I can try it with potatoes or paneer
Shalini says
Yup. Paneer is a great option. Thanks for dropping by, Neha 🙂
Deepa says
This looks yummy and I am hungry now. I know what to cook next weekend when I have guests. Happy #AtoZ Shalini!
Shalini says
Oh yay! Thanks, Deepa. Please do let me know how it turns out for you 🙂
Roshan Radhakrishnan says
These pics are absolutely amazing... I dont know how I am going to survive a month of these!
Shalini says
Heeeee 😀 I'm sure you'll, especially with Aunty's yummy treats 😀
Aparna says
Lovely....will try this recipe with paneer...your picst are toooo tempting though
Shalini says
Thank you, Aparna. Let me know how it turned out, okay ? 🙂
Aparna says
Sure will let you know 🙂
Ramya Abhinand says
NOw despite being a vegetarain, i am drooling over these pics :).... Great theme and a great start with an awesome starter
Shalini says
Thanks, Ramya. Try with paneer, okay? 🙂
Mayuri Nidigallu says
Love your theme, Shalini!
A super start to the challenge! The pics made me salivate and the recipe has been saved to try later.
All the best for the challenge!
Shalini says
Means a lot, Mayuri. Thanks for the encouragement. You are really so sweet 🙂
Veidehi Gite says
Looks delicious 🙂
Shalini says
Thank you 🙂
Shilpa Garg says
I love Achari chicken tikka. We have never made it at home though. Will ask KG to try your recipe and make these yummy treats at home soon. Thanks for sharing and this is a great start to the A to Z Challenge. Cheers 🙂
Shalini says
You must try it, Shilpa. You'll love it. 🙂