Delicious Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe: How to Make Chicken Tikka Masala at Home

Few dishes ignite the senses quite like chicken tikka masala—a rich, creamy, and perfectly spiced curry that has captured hearts (and appetites) around the world. But where did this beloved comfort food come from, and why does its flavor linger in our memories long after the last spoonful? Read on to uncover the fascinating story, irresistible ingredients, and secret techniques behind this iconic dish.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup plain whole milk yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 can 15 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro for garnish

Equipment

• Cutting board
• Chef’s knife
• Mixing bowls
• Tongs
• Skillet or grill pan
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Large saucepan
• Serving spoon

Instructions

1. Start with the marinade: Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized chunks and place them in a mixing bowl. This ensures even cooking and better flavor absorption.
2. Whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, garam masala, cumin, coriander, and salt in a separate bowl. Pour this over the chicken and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. If you have time, overnight makes the flavor deeply embedded.
3. Grill the chicken: Heat a grill pan or large skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the surface, and cook the marinated chicken chunks for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until beautifully brown and slightly charred. No need to cook them all the way through here, as they will finish in the sauce.
4. Build the sauce: In a large saucepan, melt the butter with the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes. Keep stirring until the onion is soft and beginning to turn golden.
5. Stir in the garlic and ginger. Let them sizzle for about 1 minute, just to release their flavor. Your kitchen should already smell amazing at this point.
6. Sprinkle in the garam masala, turmeric, cumin, paprika, and chili powder. Cook this mixture for 30 seconds to toast the spices. This tiny step makes all the difference in depth of flavor.
7. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir well. Simmer this base on medium-low heat for about 10 minutes. It should thicken slightly and become glossy.
8. Lower the heat and gently stir in the heavy cream. The sauce will start to turn a beautiful sunset orange. Season with salt and pepper. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes to become silky and luxurious.
9. Add the grilled chicken to the sauce and coat every piece well. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes so the sauce seeps into the chicken. At this point, taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
10. Finish with a generous sprinkle of chopped cilantro for brightness and color. Serve hot with fluffy basmati rice or pillowy naan for scooping.

Nutrition per serving

For maximum aroma, toast your whole spices in a dry pan and grind them fresh if you have time. A little effort delivers a lot of warmth.

FAQ

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Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala is a comforting, restaurant-quality dish featuring marinated grilled chicken in a creamy, spiced tomato sauce. Inspired by Indian cuisine and tailored for the home kitchen, it’s full of bold flavors and is perfect for family dinners or entertaining.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 410 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup plain whole milk yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 can 15 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro for garnish

Instructions

 

• Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized chunks and place them in a large mixing bowl.
• In a separate bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, garam masala, cumin, coriander, and salt. Pour over the chicken and mix well to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
• Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the surface and cook the marinated chicken pieces for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until cooked through and charred in spots. Set aside.
• In a large saucepan, heat the butter and oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until soft and golden.
• Stir in garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
• Add garam masala, turmeric, cumin, paprika, and chili powder. Toast the spices for about 30 seconds.
• Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir well. Simmer on medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Reduce the heat and slowly stir in the heavy cream. Season with salt and black pepper. Simmer for another 5 minutes until the sauce is creamy and thickened.
• Add the grilled chicken into the sauce and stir until fully coated. Cook for an additional 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
• Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot with rice or naan.

Nutrition

Calories: 410kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 34gFat: 24gSodium: 730mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7g

Keyword chicken tikka masala, Indian recipes, creamy chicken curry, main course

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