Chicken Tikka Masala

Ingredients

For 6 servings

• 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts (or boneless skinless chicken thighs, if preferred)
• 1/4 cup masala paste (recipe follows)
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cups canned tomato pureé (not tomato paste)
• 1 cup heavy cream (sub a 14-ounce can of regular coconut milk)
• 1-2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 cups rice
• 1/4 cup cilantro
• 2 onions (about 3 cups when chopped)
• 5 cloves garlic
• a 2-inch piece of fresh ginger
• 3 tablespoons garam masala
• 1 tablespoon each chili powder (regular), turmeric, and cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• a small pile of cilantro stems
• juice of one lemon