Murgh Malai Tikka (Creamy Chicken Kebabs)
Melt-in-the-mouth chicken kebabs marinated in cream, cheese, cashew paste, cardamom and white pepper, then grilled until lightly charred. Mild, rich and utterly tender.
Servings
Ingredients
Nutrition
Per serving
Steps
First marinade
Toss the chicken pieces with the ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, white pepper and salt until evenly coated. Let sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes.
- 700g chicken
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 lemon juice
- 1 tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp salt
✅ Done when: chicken is evenly coated and slightly firmer to the touch
Creamy marinade
Whisk the cream, cheese, cashew paste, yogurt, cardamom, nutmeg and green chili together until smooth. Mix with the marinated chicken, cover, and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
- 100ml heavy cream
- 50g cream cheese
- 2 tbsp cashew paste
- 3 tbsp yogurt
- ½ tsp cardamom
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 1 green chili
- all marinated chicken from step 1
✅ Done when: mixture is smooth and chicken is fully coated in the cream mixture
Grill
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Serve
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First marinade
Toss the chicken pieces with the ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, white pepper and salt until evenly coated. Let sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes.
- 700g chicken
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 lemon juice
- 1 tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp salt
✅ Done when: chicken is evenly coated and slightly firmer to the touch
Creamy marinade
Whisk the cream, cheese, cashew paste, yogurt, cardamom, nutmeg and green chili together until smooth. Mix with the marinated chicken, cover, and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
- 100ml heavy cream
- 50g cream cheese
- 2 tbsp cashew paste
- 3 tbsp yogurt
- ½ tsp cardamom
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 1 green chili
- all marinated chicken from step 1
✅ Done when: mixture is smooth and chicken is fully coated in the cream mixture
Grill
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Serve
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The Story Behind the Dish
'Malai' means cream, and malai tikka is the gentle, creamy cousin of the fiery red chicken tikka. It reflects the Mughlai and Awadhi taste for rich, mild marinades of cream, nuts and fragrant spices.
It became a fixture of North Indian restaurant menus and wedding buffets in the late 20th century.
⭐ Why It's Famous
Tender, creamy and mild enough for everyone, malai tikka is the kebab that disappears first at a party.
💡 Fun Fact
Cheese in the marinade is a modern restaurant trick — it melts and browns on the grill, helping the kebabs stay juicy.
Delhi & Lucknow
28.64°N, 77.22°E
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