Seattle's Child

Your guide to a kid-friendly city

Chicken Tikka Masala

Chef Emme's popular Chicken Tikka Masala served in Seattle Schools cafeterias.

Make a favorite Seattle Schools recipe at home: Chicken Tikka Masala

A tried and true dish from Seattle Schools' award-winning executive chef

Seattle Schools Executive Chef Emme Ribeiro Collins knows which schools lunches kids love most and her Chicken Tikka Masala is at the top of that list. She asks them. Here Chef Emme shares one of the district’s most beloved lunch recipes and invites parents and kids to make together at home. It’s easy, nutritious, a good way to spend family time and totally delicious.

Chicken & Chickpea
Tikka MasalaĀ 

1 tbsp vegetable oilĀ 

Ā½ onion, dicedĀ 

1 tsp ginger, mincedĀ 

1 tsp garlic, mincedĀ 

1 tbsp tomato pasteĀ 

1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoĀ 

1 tsp garam masalaĀ 

1 cup of cooked chicken, diced or shreddedĀ 

1 15.5oz can of chickpeaĀ 

Ā¼ cup unsweetened coconut milk

4 cups of water

Ā¼ cup cilantro, choppedĀ 

Black pepper, to taste

Salt, to tasteĀ 

1. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and cook until it begins to soften and become translucent.Ā 

2. Add ginger and garlic and cook until it becomes fragrant, about 30 seconds.

3. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes.

ā€” Chef Emme Ribeiro Collins

Read more at Seattle’s Child:

“A Seattle Schools Lunch Revolution”

About the Author

Emme Ribeiro Collins

Chef Emme Ribeiro Collins in the executive chef for Seattle Public schools. She's an award-winning culinarian who has worked privately with numerous high profile individuals and organizations. Among her many achievements, she was named a champion of the popular Food Network competition "Chopped."