Chicken Tikka Chow Mein

I think chicken is one of those meats which is loved by almost all age groups. And why not? It can be prepared in so many different ways, in a curry, gravy, puffs or kababs. Saute, fry, bake or steam, chicken gives us the flexibility to cook it as we want. 

I remember growing up, Sunday used to be the day for mutton (goat meat). Then I had chicken gravy at some restaurant and I started pushing my dad to get chicken instead of goat. For those who eat chicken for the first time it can take some time to acquire the taste. But now chicken has been ruling my mom’s kitchen for the last several years. She loves preparing it mostly because it is so low key, gets marinated and cooked quickly and tastes really good.

My mom got a new grill a few months back and she has been grilling everything on it. She tried this recipe and it turned out so good that she shared it with me. And now I am sharing it with you because good things should be shared and enjoyed with everyone.

Best part of this recipe, you can substitute the chicken with Paneer.

Ingredients (Serves 2):

• Pasta – 200 grams (Angel Hair/ Capellini/ Linguine/ Spaghetti)
• Kosher Salt – 1 tablespoon (for pasta)
• Canola Oil – 5-6 tablespoons
• Salt - ½ teaspoon (or to taste) + more for marination
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper – 1 teaspoon 
• Oregano - as per taste
• Chicken - 1-2 breasts
• Garlic powder - ½ teaspoon
• Ginger powder- ¼ teaspoon
• Onion powder - ½ teaspoon
• Tikka Masala - 2 teaspoons
• Yogurt - 2 tablespoons
• Bell Pepper - 1, sliced, seeded and washed
• Onion - 1, medium, sliced
• Soy Sauce - 2 tablespoons
• Tomato Ketchup - 2 tablespoons

Directions:

• Cut slits in chicken breasts. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
• In a bowl add Garlic powder, Ginger powder, Onion powder, Salt (½ teaspoon), Tikka Masala, Yogurt and Canola Oil (1 tablespoon). Mix them together. 
• Marinate the chicken breasts with the above paste. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• When ready to prepare the Chow Mein, start by grilling the Chicken. Keep it outside for at least half an hour to come to room temperature.
• Boil the pasta in the meantime, bring a large pot of water to a boil, and add the Kosher Salt and Canola Oil (1 tablespoon) in it. 
• Cook the pasta in boiling water until al dente. 
• Place pasta in a colander, and give it a quick rinse with cold water. 
• To grill the chicken, check that the grates are clean.
• Set the fire on a medium-high range, 375-450°F. Keep one of the burners on a low  flame. That  way if the chicken is already brown in color but not cooked through we can move it to the low heat.
• Oil the grates with a cooking spray (oil  it well to prevent sticking).
• Place the Chicken on the pre-heated grates and cover it.
• Check after 4-5 minutes if the Chicken is cooked enough to flip it  over. (If the chicken starts  burning, move it over to the cooler side  of the grill.)
• Continue grilling until the Chicken is cooked through.
• Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with foil.

• Take a big non-stick skillet and heat it over medium high heat.
• Add the canola oil in it (2-3 tablespoons). Heat it well then add the Onion slices.
• Fry the onion till it is golden red in color, then add the Bell Pepper.
• Fry until the onion is almost golden brown in color and the bell pepper is partially cooked. Season with Salt and Black Pepper.
• Next add the cooked pasta. Turn down the heat to medium and fry it well.
• Add the Soy Sauce, Ketchup and Oregano. Mix well.
• Cut the grilled chicken into cubes and mix in the pasta.
• Chicken Tikka Chowmein is ready! Serve hot and enjoy!

Tip: Add some herbs in the chicken marination like mint and cilantro. Make a thick paste and marinate the chicken in it along with the spices. This will bring that beautiful green color on the grilled chicken.

Love Pasta/ Chow Mein? Try these recipes as well:

• Sausage Tomato Basil Pasta
• Mix Chow Mein recipe
• Buttery Lemony Garlicky Shrimp Scampi Pasta
  
• Quick Egg Chow Mein
• Hamburger Pasta with homemade Sauce
• Vegetarian Poha Style Chow Mein/ Pasta
• A Taste of Comfort: Lemon, Parmesan Penne Pasta with Chicken
• Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi with Broccoli: A Delicious and Nutritious Twist
• Comforting Rigatoni Pasta with Bell Peppers and Sausage: A Winter Weeknight Delight