Tuesday Night Dinner Across the Miles / Chicken Tikka with Cucumber Raita

1 cup plain fat-free yogurt

juice of 1/2 lemon

2 garlic cloves, peeled

1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon garam masala

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

1/4 teaspoon sugar

Pinch cayenne 

1 1/4 pounds skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces

1 cucumber

1/4 cup chopped fresh mint 

pappadam or other flatbread, toasted (optional) 

Combine 1/3 cup of the yogurt, the lemon juice, garlic, ginger, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, the garam masala, coriander, turmeric, sugar and cayenne in a food processor and puree. Transfer the mixture to a large zip-closed plastic bag and add the chicken. Squeeze out the air and seal the bag; turn to coat the chicken. Refrigerate, turning the bag occasionally, at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.

Preheat the broiler. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick spray.

Remove the chicken from the marinade; discard the marinade.

Thread the chicken on 8 (12 inch) metal skewers. Place the skewers on the prepared baking sheet. Broil 5 inches from the heat until the chicken is browned and cooked through. about 4 minutes on each side.

Meanwhile, to make the raita, stir together the remaining 2/3 cup yogurt, the cucumber, mint, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. in a serving bowl. Serve the raita with the chicken and pappadam, (flatbread) if using.

2 skewers per person ( 4 servings)  181 Cal. 3 g Fat, 1 g Sat Fat, 0 Trans Fat     WW Point Value 4

i loved tonights dinner, it had a Mediterranean flavor and was so fast and easy.  I marinaded my chicken overnight in the fridge and the fragrance was awesome.  I steamed broccoli and zucchini for a side dish, I think it was the perfect complement to the dish.  Each Tuesday evening Jolie and I share the same recipe, we live miles apart now... Jolie lives in NC and I am in FL . When Jolie lived in Florida we use to play tennis once a week then make dinner together. Tuesday night dinners is a way to keep the tradition going. Click here to see Jolies dish, it looks awesome!