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Chicken malai tikka skewers on a white serving plate.
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Chicken Malai Tikka – Malai Boti

Learn how to make chicken malai tikka (also known as malai boti). This popular Pakistani / Indian recipe is made using boneless chicken cubes that are marinated in yoghurt, cream, herbs and spices. The chicken is then threaded onto skewers and then grilled. Recipe includes stovetop, oven, and air fryer cooking instructions.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Marination Time6 hours
Total Time6 hours 30 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Indian, North Indian, Pakistani
Servings: 5 people
Calories: 351kcal
Author: Kiran

Ingredients

For the chicken:

  • 1 kg boneless chicken breast cubed (boneless chicken thigh can be used as well)
  • Oil for grilling

Marinade Ingredients:

  • 3 green chilies
  • 4 tablespoons coriander leaves / cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon white pepper powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin powder
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
  • 2 tablespoons ginger garlic paste
  • 2 teaspoon meat tenderiser – see note 1
  • 1 tablespoon chickpea flour, toasted (bhuna besan) – substitute with cornflour
  • ½ cup cream
  • ½ cup yoghurt

Instructions

  • Place the boneless chicken cubes into a large bowl.
  • Blend the green chilies and cilantro / coriander leaves into a paste, and set aside.
  • Add all the marinade ingredients into the chicken bowl, including the green chili paste. Mix the chicken and marinade thoroughly.
  • Let the chicken marinade in the paste for 4 - 6 hours, or overnight. If you don't have time, then just marinate for 30 minutes.
  • Once the chicken has been marinated, thread the chicken onto either wooden or metal skewers, and set on a platter or baking tray. If using wooden skewers, soak the skewers for at least 30 minutes in water, and then use. It’s also possible to skip the skewers, and cook the chicken directly. The malai tikka skewers can then be grilled as per your preferred cooking method.
  • For pan frying: Heat a grill pan or frying pan with oil, and then add the chicken skewers. Once the chicken has cooked from the bottom, turn it over. Cook on medium till the chicken is cooked through on all sides. This process will take about 10 – 12 minutes. If you are worried about the chicken remaining pink or uncooked from the inside, cover the frying pan with a lid for a few minutes. This will generate steam that will ensure that the chicken is cooked through completely.
  • For baking: Use a pastry brush to baste the chicken with a little oil. Place the chicken skewers on a lined baking tray. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 180 C for around 15 – 20 minutes, till the chicken is cooked through and juices run clear. Halfway through baking, turn the skewers.
  • Using an air fryer: Malai chicken tikka can also be made in the air fryer, which is actually my preferred method. Use a pastry brush to baste the chicken with a little oil. Air fry the chicken skewers in an airfryer at 160 C for around 12 – 14 minutes till the chicken is cooked through. You can use a grilling tray accessory to get the grill marks on the skewers.
  • Using a barbeque: One of the best ways to make malai tikka is over coal in a barbeque. That’s the way it’s made at restaurants. Put the marinated malai chicken tikka on skewers, and grill over a hot coal barbeque for around 10 minutes. Baste the chicken with a little oil, and turn the skewers to ensure the chicken is cooked through on all sides.
  • Serve the malai chicken tikka with naan or paratha, along with green chutney and/or tamarind chutney. On the side you can serve a kachumber salad or sliced pickled onions.

Notes

  1. A note on marination: The chicken cubes should be marinated for around 4 – 6 hours, or overnight. If you don’t have time, then just marinate for 30 minutes. The marinated chicken can be kept for around 24 hours. However, if you do intend to marinate it for so long, it’s best to reduce the amount of meat tenderizer used.
  2. Storage Instructions: The grilled malai chicken tikka cubes can be kept in the fridge for 3 – 4 days. Make sure to keep them in an air-tight container. The cooked chicken can also be frozen and kept in the freezer in an airtight freezer safe container for upto 6 months. Let thaw overnight, and then reheat on either the stove, or the airfryer. The raw chicken cubes can also be frozen for upto 6 months.
  3. Serving Variations: The malai tikka can be used to make a malai tikka naan or malai tikka paratha roll. Take a naan or paratha, add the tikka and then top with your preferred sauces. Green chutney, tamarind chutney, and garlic mayo sauce are popular choices. Add sliced onions, tomatoes, or cucumbers. You can also add cheese. The grilled chicken can be used as a filling for sandwiches or wraps, and can also be used as a topping for salads, or pizza.

Nutrition

Calories: 351kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 156mg | Sodium: 808mg | Potassium: 808mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 462IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 2mg
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