Foo - Confusion on chicken tikka masala (any Indian chefs?)

I purchased a seasoning packet for this dish. It was pretty expensive (about 4 bucks) and I am afraid it is going to waste. My question concerns the call for "2 lbs boneless and skinless chicken cubes." Cooked or uncooked? The recipe on the package doesn't specify. To avoid the risk of contamination, I cooked the chicken pieces first..but now I am concerned that cooking them 8-10 minutes in oil and another 8-10 minutes after adding water (per the recipe) will cause them to be overcooked.

It shouldn't. If anything it would make it more tender.

Uncooked. The germy bits will die when cooked.

You essentially want to boil the chicken in the mixture. The only time you may want to pre cook is if you want to sear the outside of the chicken and then cook it in the mixture.

either way, the majority of the cooking will take place in the sauce itself. Think of it this way, do you ever use chicken stock?...



It shouldn't. If anything it would make it more tender.

you must have some magical tender chicken I have never experienced :p. Overcooked chicken is pretty much the 3rd worst protein to over cook. Pork and turkey coming first and second. All 3 have the texture of rotten swamp socks when they overcook :)

What Maelstrom said. Brown the meat first but not cook all the way through then add the Sauce and simmer until finished. This will give the best texture. Simply simmering the chicken may the chicken a texture that is a little too chewy.