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Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe – Easy to Make at Home

Chicken Tikka Masala is a rich and creamy Indian-inspired dish featuring marinated, spiced chicken cooked in a flavorful tomato-based sauce. This easy homemade version delivers restaurant-quality taste in under an hour, perfect for serving with rice or naan.

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken Marinade:

  • 500g boneless chicken (thighs or breasts), cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp oil

For the Masala Sauce:

  • 2 tbsp butter or oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1-inch piece ginger, grated
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp paprika (or Kashmiri chili powder)
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1 cup tomato purée (or crushed tomatoes)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (or coconut milk for dairy-free option)
  • 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

  1. In a bowl, mix yogurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, and all the spices.
  2. Add chicken pieces and coat well. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for deeper flavor).

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

  1. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Cook the marinated chicken for about 5-7 minutes until slightly charred and cooked through.
  3. Remove and set aside.

Step 3: Prepare the Masala Sauce

  1. In the same pan, add butter and onions. Sauté until golden brown.
  2. Add garlic and ginger, cooking for 1 minute.
  3. Stir in cumin, coriander, garam masala, paprika, and turmeric. Cook for 30 seconds.
  4. Pour in tomato purée, salt, and sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes until thick.
  5. Add cream, mix well, and cook for another 2 minutes.

Step 4: Combine Chicken with Sauce

  1. Add the cooked chicken to the sauce and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
  2. Adjust seasoning and add more cream if needed.

Step 5: Serve

  1. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot with naan or basmati rice.

Notes

  • For a smoky restaurant-style flavor, place a small burning charcoal in a bowl inside the pan, cover for 5 minutes, then discard the charcoal.
  • Use coconut milk instead of heavy cream for a dairy-free version.
  • If you prefer a smoother sauce, blend the tomato mixture before adding the chicken.
  • For extra spice, add chopped green chilies.
  • Author: Dolan
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Indian, British-Indian
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 portion
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 12g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 75mg

Keywords: Chicken Tikka Masala, Easy Chicken Tikka, Indian Curry, Homemade Chicken Masala, Restaurant-Style Tikka Masala, Chicken Recipes