Easy Chicken Tikka Masala

Ingredients

• 2 small onions
• 5 garlic cloves, finely minced
• seeds from 10 cardamom pod (or 1 tsp ground)
• 1 teaspoon peppercorn
• 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
• 1 tablespoon cumin seed
• 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 4 tablespoons butter, divided
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon garam masala (optional, but I love it)
• 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
• 14 ounces diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup yogurt (I use fat free)
• 3/4 cup half-and-half cream
• 1 1/8 lbs chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces

Directions

1. 1

   Make your spice blend: Put the cardamom seeds, peppercorns, coriander seeds, cumin and pepper flakes in a spice grinder and -- grind.

2. 2

   Melt 2 Tbsp butter in a large skillet. Saute onions until they begin to caramelize.

3. 3

   Add garlic and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

4. 4

   Add your spice blend, ginger, garam masala (if using) and paprika.

5. 5

   Stir everything together until it's well combined and let it all mix together in the skillet for a few minutes.

6. 6

   Add tomatoes and water and stir everything together. Turn your heat down and simmer for about 10-15 minutes - it will thicken up a little and reduce.

7. 7

   Whisk the yogurt into the sauce, then add the remaining 2 Tbsp of butter and the half and half, and whisk everything together.

8. 8

   When the sauce is simmering again, add the chicken pieces and let it simmer until they are completely cooked.(about 10 minutes).

9. 9

   Serve over rice, hopefully with some kind of bread to sop up all the sauce.