Home Style Chicken Tikka
introduction
Home Style Chicken Tikka – Easy Step by Step Recipe Chicken Tikka is one of the most popular Indian starters. Normally it is made in restaurants using tandoor, but you can easily prepare the same smoky, juicy and spicy chicken tikka at home using an oven, pan or tawa. This home style version is simple, beginner friendly and gives perfect soft chicken with strong masala taste.
In this recipe, I will explain everything step by step with clear quantities so you can follow easily without confusion.
Ingredients Required
For Marination (First Step)
- Chicken (boneless) – 500 grams
- Thick curd (yogurt) – 1 cup
- Ginger garlic paste – 1.5 tablespoon
- Red chilli powder – 1 teaspoon
- Turmeric powder – 1/2 teaspoon
- Coriander powder – 1 teaspoon
- Garam masala – 1 teaspoon
- Cumin powder – 1/2 teaspoon
- Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon
- Salt – 1 teaspoon (adjust as taste)
- Mustard oil or normal oil – 2 tablespoons
- Kashmiri red chilli powder – 1 teaspoon (for color)
For Cooking
- Butter or oil – 2 tablespoons
- Onion cubes – 1 medium (optional)
- Capsicum cubes – 1 medium (optional)
- Skewers or toothpicks (if available)
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
First take 500 grams boneless chicken. Wash it properly and dry it using a clean cloth or tissue. Cutting is very important here.
- Cut chicken into medium size cubes
- Not too small (will become dry)
- Not too big (will not cook properly)
Keep it aside in a bowl.
Step 2: First Marination
In a bowl add:
- ginger garlic paste
- salt
- lemon juice
- red chilli powder
Mix well with chicken and let it rest for 15–20 minutes.
This step removes raw smell and makes chicken soft.
Step 3: Second Marination (Main Flavor Step)
Now add:
- thick curd
- turmeric
- coriander powder
- cumin powder
- garam masala
- Kashmiri chilli powder
- oil
Mix everything very well so that each chicken piece is coated properly.
Important tip:
Cover and keep it in refrigerator for at least 2 to 4 hours (overnight is best for maximum taste).
Home Style Chicken Tikka
Step 4: Preparing for Cooking
After marination, take chicken out.
If you have skewers:
- thread chicken pieces one by one
- leave small gap between pieces
If no skewers:
- you can cook directly on tawa or pan
Also you can add onion and capsicum pieces between chicken for extra taste.
Home Style Chicken Tikka
Step 5: Cooking Methods
Method 1: Tawa / Pan Cooking (Easy Home Style)
- Heat a pan
- Add 2 tablespoons butter or oil
- Place chicken pieces
- Cook on medium flame
Cook for 4–5 minutes on one side
Then flip and cook another 4–5 minutes
Keep turning until chicken becomes golden brown and fully cooked.
Sprinkle little butter while cooking for juicy texture.
Home Style Chicken Tikka
Method 2: Oven Method (Restaurant Style)
- Preheat oven at 200°C
- Place skewers on tray
- Brush with little oil or butter
Cook for 15–20 minutes
Turn once in between
At last, grill for 2–3 minutes for slight charred effect.
Home Style Chicken Tikka
Step 6: Smoky Flavor (Optional but Best Trick)
If you want restaurant-style smoky flavor:
- Take a small piece of charcoal
- Heat it until red hot
- Place a small bowl in cooked chicken
- Keep charcoal inside bowl
- Add 1 teaspoon ghee
- Cover immediately for 2–3 minutes
This gives real tandoor-style smell.
Step 7: Serving Style
Your home style chicken tikka is ready.
Serve hot with:
- green chutney
- lemon wedges
- onion rings
You can also use it in:
- chicken tikka roll
- biryani topping
- salad bowls
Important Tips for Perfect Chicken Tikka
- Always use thick curd, not watery curd
- Marination time is very important (minimum 2 hours)
- Do not overcook chicken (it becomes dry)
- Butter improves taste and softness
- Medium flame cooking gives best result
Why This Recipe Works
This home style chicken tikka works because:
- two-step marination gives deep flavor
- curd makes chicken soft
- spices balance heat and taste
- simple cooking method makes it easy for beginners
Even if you don’t have oven or grill, you can still get amazing taste using a simple pan.
Conclusion
Home Style Chicken Tikka is a perfect starter for weekends, parties or even simple dinner cravings. With basic ingredients and proper marination, you can easily achieve restaurant-like taste at home. The key is patience during marination and cooking on medium heat.
Try this recipe once and you will definitely make it again and again because of its juicy, spicy and smoky flavor.