fresh cilantro and thinly sliced red onions for garnish (optional)
RecipeInstructions
Cut the chicken thighs into small pieces (about 1.5 inch?by 1 inch). Keep aside.
Pre-heat oven to 450 deg F.
Peel the garlic cloves, the ginger and the shallot (or onion). Squeeze the lemon juice from the lemon.
In a food processor, add the garlic, ginger, shallot (or onion), turmeric, sea salt, the lemon juice and the extra virgin olive oil. Grind to a paste.
Take 2 tablespoons of this paste (leave the rest of the paste in the food processor) and add it to the chicken pieces and mix well using your hands to coat the pieces well.
Take a large baking tray and line it with Al foil. Brush the foil with 1 tbsp of the coconut oil. Place the chicken pieces onto the tray and bake at 450 Deg F for 10 mins. Then flip the pieces and again bake for another 5 mins. Remove from oven and keep tray aside covered with foil.
While the chicken is baking(above step), heat a large frying pan. Add the rest of the coconut oil to the pan. Transfer the remaining marinade paste to the hot pan (you can add a tablespoon of water to get all the paste out of the food processor) and turn heat to medium. Cook for 1 minute and then add the ground cinnamon, ground cloves and ground mace and the coconut milk and stir again. Let the mixture come to a simmer and turn heat to low. Check for salt and add more salt if needed. Turn heat off.
Finally when the chicken pieces are done cooking(in the oven), add them into the sauce and gently simmer for another two minutes just before serving. Turn heat off and garnish with thinly sliced onions and cilantro leaves (if using).
Serve the chicken tikka masala warm with cauliflower pilaf or with cassava tortilla/rotis.
Recipe by Cook2Nourish at https://cook2nourish.com/2018/08/aip-chicken-tikka-masala-dairy-free-nightshade-free-and-nut-free.html