Chicken tikka masala is a classic Indian takeout dish, it is not as difficult to make at home as you may think. Packed with flavor, the creamy, spiced sauce covers tender pieces of chicken, just waiting to be served with homemade naan and perfect basmati rice. Heavily spiced, the only ingredient you might not already have in your pantry is garam masala—it’s basically the Indian version of Chinese five-spice powder. Once you have it, the world is your oyster when it comes to cooking up delicious dishes—the spice blend is found in dishes like aloo Gobi, butter chicken, and dal. Trust us, it’s worth it to have on hand.
To prepare a mouthwatering Chicken Tikka Masala, start by marinating boneless chicken pieces in a blend of yogurt, ginger, garlic, garam masala, turmeric, and chili powder for at least 2 hours. Grill or bake the marinated chicken until charred and cooked through. In a separate pan, sauté finely chopped onions until golden brown, then add pureed tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and a mix of aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, and paprika. Cook this rich tomato-based sauce until it thickens, then add the grilled chicken pieces, allowing them to absorb the flavors. Finish with a swirl of heavy cream, a touch of honey for sweetness, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Serve this delectable Chicken Tikka Masala over fragrant basmati rice or with warm naan for an authentic and delightful culinary experience.
Chicken tikka masala is a milder dish—it packs in loads of flavor, but isn’t an extremely spicy dish. One of our favorite things about making it at home? You get to control the spice levels completely! Add more or less based on personal preference. Chicken tikka refers to chicken that’s been marinated in yogurt and then roasted. You can find chicken tikka served on skewers or roasted and served dry. The “masala” in chicken tikka masala refers to the cream sauce that the meat is served in.
Chicken Tika Masala
Print RecipeIngredients
- 1 cup yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 4 teaspoons ground cumin, divided
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 2 teaspoons salt, divided, or more to taste
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 4 long skewers
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Combine yogurt, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, black pepper, ginger, and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl.
Chicken Tikka Masala Step 1 - Stir in chicken, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Chicken Tikka Masala Step 2 - Preheat a grill for high heat.
- Lightly oil the grill grate. Thread chicken onto skewers, and discard marinade.
Chicken Tikka Masala Step 4 - Grill until juices run clear, about 5 minutes on each side.
Chicken Tikka Masala Step 5 - Melt butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic and jalapeno for 1 minute. Season with remaining 2 teaspoons cumin, paprika, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Stir in tomato sauce and cream. Simmer on low heat until sauce thickens, about 20 minutes.
Chicken Tikka Masala Step 6 - Add grilled chicken, and simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter, and garnish with fresh cilantro.
Chicken Tikka Masala Step 7 - Serve over rice.
Chicken Tikka Masala Step 8
