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–+ servings

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.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 410 kcal

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

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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