This air fryer chicken malai tikka is so creamy and luxurious. It is pure indulgence. Mildly spiced, this is your perfect appetizer or chicken dinner.
Chicken malai tikka is an Indian dish where boneless chicken pieces are marinated with yogurt, cashew paste, cream and mild spices. It can be then cooked on a BBQ, stovetop, oven or air fryer for delightfully creamy chicken skewers.
I promise you, you will love these.
You can also try air fryer chicken tikka, tandoori chicken, tandoori paneer tikka , tandoori shrimp and whole chicken in air fryer.
Ingredients
Chicken – I have used 1 lb. 0r about 500g boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces.
Yogurt – I used 4 tbsp. Greek yogurt or hung curd (if using Indian homemade yogurt) that helps make the chicken tender.
Cream (Malai) – I have used 3 tbsp. cream or you can use milk cream (malai) as well.
Cashew Paste – 3 tablespoons of blended cashews to make powder were used in the recipe.
Ginger garlic Paste – This is used to give the signature flavour here. I have used 2 tbsp. ginger garlic paste.
Garam Masala – I have used 1 tsp. garam masala here. If you don’t have it, use curry powder.
Ground Cardamom: About half tsp. is used for the signature malai tikka taste.
Pepper, Cayenne and Kasuri methi – I used 1 tsp. of pepper and ½ tsp. cayenne (for heat) and same quantity of kauri methi (or dry fenugreek). Use dry oregano as a substitute.
Lemon Juice – 1 tablespoon is used in the recipe.
Salt – To taste. If you are using store bought ginger garlic paste, that may contain salt as well. So be mindful of that.
Cornstarch: I have used 2 tbsp. of cornstarch for the lovely thick coating on malai tikka.
Oil or Ghee – 1 tablespoon is used in the recipe.
Instructions
First, you have to marinate the chicken. I prefer to use boneless chicken thighs as they turn out more flavourful and moist. But breasts can be used too. Cut them into even bite-sized pieces that can be skewered later on.
Add salt, pepper, cayenne and lemon juice to the chicken pieces and mix well. Keep aside till you prepare the creamy malai tikka marinade.
Now prepare your marinade by combining Greek yogurt, fresh cream, cashew powder, ginger garlic paste, garam masala, ground cardamom, oil or ghee and kasuri methi. Add cornstarch to it and mix everything well.
You will have a nice thick marinade. Pour this marinade on the chicken pieces and mix well to coat. Cover and marinate in the fridge for overnight or at least 4 hours.
When you are ready to cook, take out the chicken. You can use wooden skewers that I normally cut to size and then soak in water for about 30 minutes. Or use metal ones that fit in your air fryer.
Thread the chicken bites onto each skewer and keep aside.
Air fryer Cooking
Preheat the air fryer at 200C or 390F. Place the chicken skewers in the basket.
Air fry at 200C or 390F for about 8-10 minutes till the malai chicken is cooked though and golden brown on the outside.
I always check with a meat thermometer in the thickest chicken cube. The temperature must be at least 165F or 75C for it to b cooked through.
Stove Top
You can heat a grill. Brush it with oil or ghee and cook the malai chicken tikka skewers on both sides till they get a nice char and are cooked through.
You can also cook on a skillet or pan. Brush with a little oil and cook the marinated chicken tikka till golden brown and cooked through on both sides.
Takes about 6 minutes.
Take out the malai chicken tikka done to perfection in air fryer and serve hot garnished with onion slices and lemon wedges. Also serve this green mint sauce with it.
Enjoy. The leftovers can be refrigerated for 2-3 days in an air tight container. Reheat in air fryer at 200C or 390F for 2-3 minutes till heated through. Serve hot.
You can make wraps, rolls, sandwiches with the leftovers or even toss it in a nice salad. It is delicious. You can freeze them too. That way they will stay in the freezer for upto 2 months.
Expert Tips
1. Use chicken thighs for more tender and tasty chicken malai tikka.
2. Soak wooden skewers before using to avoid burning them when you are air frying.
3. Marination time is very important as the chicken tastes better with more marination.
4. You can use some grated parmesan too in the recipe but I prefer to leave it out as this recipe is pretty creamy on its own.
5. If you want more heat, you can pound 2-3 green chillies and add the paste when marinating the chicken.
6. You should be able to get kasuri methi in an Indian store or on Amazon. It does add a little extra to the taste.
📖 Recipe Card
Chicken Malai Tikka in Air fryer and Stovetop
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb. boneless chicken thighs
Marinade
- 4 tbsp. Greek yogurt
- 3 tbsp. cream
- 3 tbsp. cashews
- 2 tbsp. ginger garlic paste
- 1 tsp. garam masala
- ½ tsp. ground cardamom
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. pepper
- ½ tsp. cayenne
- ½ tsp. kasuri methi
- 2 tbsp. cornstarch
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 tbsp. Oil or Ghee
Garnish
- Onion and lemon slices
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Instructions
- First, you have to marinate the chicken. I prefer to use boneless chicken thighs as they turn out more flavourful and moist. But breasts can be used too. Cut them into even bite-sized pieces that can be skewered later on.
- Add salt, pepper, cayenne and lemon juice to the chicken pieces and mix well.
- Now prepare your marinade by combining Greek yogurt, fresh cream, cashew powder, ginger garlic paste, garam masala, ground cardamom, oil or ghee and kasuri methi. Add cornstarch to it and mix everything well.
- You will have a nice thick marinade. Pour this marinade on the chicken pieces and mix well to coat. Cover and marinate in the fridge for overnight or at least 4 hours.
- When you are ready to cook, take out the chicken. You can use wooden skewers that I normally cut to size and then soak in water for about 30 minutes.
- Thread the chicken bites onto each skewer and keep aside.
Air fryer Cooking
- Preheat the air fryer at 200C or 390F. Place the chicken skewers in the basket.
- Air fry at 200C or 390F for about 8-10 minutes till the malai chicken is cooked though and golden brown on the outside.
- I always check with a meat thermometer in the thickest chicken cube. The temperature must be at least 165F or 75C.
Stove Top Instructions
- You can heat a grill. Brush it with oil or ghee and cook the malai chicken tikka skewers on both sides till they get a nice char and are cooked through.
- You can also cook on a skillet or pan. Brush with a little oil and cook the marinated chicken tikka till golden brown and cooked through on both sides.
- Takes about 6 minutes.
- Take out the malai chicken tikka done to perfection in air fryer and serve hot garnished with onion slices and lemon wedges. Also serve this green mint sauce with it.
- Enjoy. The leftovers can be refrigerated for 2-3 days in an air tight container. Reheat in air fryer at 200C or 390F for 2-3 minutes till heated through. Serve hot.
- You can make wraps, rolls, sandwiches with the leftovers or even toss it in a nice salad. It is delicious. You can freeze them too. That way they will stay in the freezer for upto 2 months.
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