Description
This Chicken Tikka Masala recipe is a flavorful Indian dish with tender marinated chicken in a creamy tomato sauce. It’s easy to make and perfect for a cozy night in.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
For the Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Cooked basmati rice or naan, for serving
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, mix yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, garam masala, cayenne, and salt. Add chicken, coat well, cover, and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat oil in a skillet, brown the chicken, then set aside. Cook onions until soft, add garlic and ginger, then tomato sauce. Stir in cream, return chicken, cover, and simmer for 15–20 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Season with salt and pepper, garnish with cilantro, and serve with rice or naan.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, use coconut milk and plant-based yogurt.
- Adjust spice levels to taste by varying cayenne pepper.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
