• 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.