Chicken Tikka Pizza
Chicken Tikka Pizza
Bite into this delicious pizza topped with creamy tikka sauce, succulent chicken tikka pieces, onions, capsicum and herbs... a fusion dish that all Australians love.
Traditionally, tikka refers to boneless pieces of marinated meat that’s cooked on a skewer usually on a grill or inside a tandoor (a clay or metal oven used for cooking/baking common in Southern, Central and Western Asia).
While the history of tikka is a bit obscure, it is fair enough to say that it didn’t take long for the chicken tikka to attain cult status amongst those who love Indian flavours.
Also the chicken tikka soon got adapted into a curry format and thus was born chicken tikka masala. Essentially the dish consists of boneless chicken tikka pieces in a delicious, creamy tomato based gravy infused with spices and herbs.
There are many who claim that they are the inventors of this dish but no factual claim exists to how this dish really came to be. Most food historians believe that it mostly likely was an accidental invention; nevertheless it is a happy and delicious one.
Being such a popular dish around the globe, it gave rise to several different fusion dishes especially in Australia. The chicken tikka pizza is one of them!
Before getting to this recipe, let’s talk a bit about the most important thing that is required to make a delicious chicken tikka masala – the spice blend. A complex and aromatic blend that’s made from an array of spices like coriander, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, chillies, black pepper, dry mango powder, turmeric etc… the tikka masala blend is the real hero of this dish.
For most people, making a spice blend at home can seem like a herculean task. To start with, you need a plethora of spices in your pantry and also time and patience to gently coax flavour out of each ingredient to get the final spice and aromatic base that’s the backbone of any dish.
Curry Flavours has now taken that hard work out of your hands so that you can enjoy your favourite curry or dish with minimal or no effort at all. Our blends are created from high quality spices and ingredients, crafted with expertise right here in Australia. And the best part is that each blend might carry the name of a traditional dish but is quite versatile that it can be used to create many different dishes in your kitchen.
This chicken tikka pizza is a simple, easy one but packed with loads of flavour. The boneless chicken pieces are first marinated with yoghurt and Curry Flavours chicken tikka blend. Then the chicken is oven roasted till juicy and succulent.
Instead of making a tikka sauce, we use a shortcut with pizza sauce, cream and the spice blend. The flavours in this chicken tikka blend along with cream is enough to elevate the humble pizza sauce into a rich, creamy and delicious tikka masala sauce to be generously spread over the pizza base. Easy peasy!
This is a pizza you do not want to overload with other ingredients; the best flavours to accompany are red onion and capsicum. Fresh coriander leaves is the herb of choice unlike traditional pizzas but you can totally omit it if you are not too fond of coriander.
And once the pizza is out of the oven, piping hot, do sprinkle some of the Curry Flavours chicken tikka blend for that extra oomph of flavour.
Ingredients
For Pizza
1. 2 large pizza base
2. 1 Spanish/red onion; sliced
3. 1 green capsicum; cut into cubes
4. ½ cup fresh coriander leaves
5. 2 cups mozzarella (or any melting cheese suitable for pizzas)
6. Chilli flakes (optional)
For the chicken tikka
1. 500gms chicken thighs (skinless, boneless)
2. 3 tbsp natural yoghurt
3. 3 tbsp Curry Flavours Chicken Tikka blend
4. Salt, to season
For Pizza Sauce
1. ½ cup pizza sauce
2. ¼ cup pouring cream
3. 1 ½ tbsp Curry Flavours Chicken Tikka blend
Note – Homemade or any brand of tomato based pizza sauce can be used
Directions For the chicken tikka
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan forced)
2. Cut the chicken thighs into small bite sized pieces.
3. In a bowl, add the chicken, yoghurt, chicken tikka blend and season with salt. Mix well to combine and keep aside for 30 minutes or longer if time permits.
4. Line an oven proof tray with baking paper and place the chicken pieces without overcrowding.
5. Cook the chicken pieces for 20 minutes or till done. Remove and keep aside.
Note:
- Boneless chicken breasts can also be used but thighs are more juicy and tender.
- The Curry Flavours blend does contain salt so remember this while adding extra salt to the chicken.
- No extra oil is required while cooking the chicken.
- The chicken tikka can be made and refrigerated in an airtight container for upto 3 days.
Directions For the pizza sauce
1. In a saucepan, add the pizza sauce, pouring cream and Curry Flavours chicken tikka blend. Mix to combine and cook on low heat till the sauce is just warmed up. Take care not to boil.
To assemble the pizza
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan forced)
2. Spread the pizza sauce on top of the base. Then add the chicken tikka pieces, onions and capsicum. Sprinkle cheese all over the base and garnish with a few coriander leaf sprigs.
3. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes or till the cheese has melted well.
4. Remove and garnish with more coriander leaves.
5. Sprinkle with chilli flakes or Curry Flavours chicken tikka blend for extra flavour.
