Artichoke Chicken

So I am currently on a 24 day diet challenge. I want to eat every piece of chocolate I come near. I took v-day as a cheat day though, because I don't hate myself that much. 

So for dinner, the challenge calls for a lean protein and veggies. Carbs at night ONLY if needed. Is it possible to say they're always needed? I had some artichokes I impulse-bought at Trader Joes and decided I needed to make a chicken dish to go with it. I found this recipe online, and with some modifications based in what we had, we were ready to go!

Really, where would I be without pinterest's awesome search engine?

Artichoke Chicken

Mix together everything except the chicken, onion, and artichokes.

Place the chicken on top of the onions and artichokes in a large pan. 

Dump that sauce over the chicken. Bake at 375 for 30-45 min. 

Look at how fantastic this is! Yum yum. 

Serve it up and enjoy!

Eww.

This is currently in my fridge for school. And all I can think of is: 

Chicken Tikka Masala

Has a meal ever changed your life? Like, changed the things you thought about food before that?

I am NOT a picky eater. At all. But let me tell you honestly, because we're friends and I know you'll keep my secret. Before this meal I was not that in to Indian food. I didn't grow up eating it (ever) and was just never really wanting to go try it. 

We randomly went to Saffron a few months ago and my world was rocked. I mean, now I can't get enough of this stuff. I must have made this knock-off chicken Tikka five times since then. Seriously. 

Easy meal? Yep. 

Quick? Yep. 

Flavorful? Yep. 

Healthy? Yep. 

I mean really, what's not to love?

Chicken Tikka Masala

2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

4 cloves minced garlic

1 chopped onion

2-3 tbsp. finely chopped ginger

1 cup plain Greek yogurt

1 29 oz can tomato purée or sauce

1 tbsp. olive oil

2-3 tsp. cayenne pepper (this is the HEAT) (whichever really isn't that strong)

2 tbsp. Garam Masala

1tbsp. Cumin

1 tbsp. paprika

2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. black pepper

2-3 bay leaves

1 cup half and half (or milk, or cream)

3 tbsp. cornstarch

Cilantro for prettiness

How wide range of ingredients. The good news - most of these are really common. Those that aren't are spices and will last you approximately 43 years. 

The cast. 

First add the chopped onion, garlic, and ginger. 

Tomatoes and Yogurt. Those don't often come to my mind together. 

Add the five bazillion spices. 

Mix it all up. 

Add the cut up chicken. 

Good things take time. I'm not patient,  but this is perfect when I go to work. 

Mix the starch and milk together. Awesome thickening sauce. 

Thicken it up. Add it in and let it sit another 10-15 min. Take out the bay leaves. 

Dish up on top of rice or quinoa. Add cilantro for color. And because it tastes great! 

Method one - Mix and dump all ingredients (except cornstarch and half and half) in the crockpot and cook for 8 hrs on low.

Method two - Mix and dump all ingredients (except cornstarch and half and half) i in a 9 by 13 pan and cook at 375 for 30-45 min.