As we enter the colder months, there’s nothing quite like a hearty, savory, and deliciously warm meal. If that’s what you’re craving, your search ends here, because Chicken Tikka Masala is precisely what you need!
The combination of flavorful, tender chicken harmoniously melded with the rich sauce, will transport your palate to a whole new world of culinary delight. By following my straightforward recipe, you will feel like a Michelin Star chef as you enjoy the outcome.
It is an easy and beginner-friendly recipe that will guarantee you lots of compliments on your cooking skills!
The Ultimate Chicken Sauce
What You Will Need
For the Chicken Tikka Marinade:
Chicken thighs (you can use chicken breasts too)
Garlic ginger paste
Plain yogurt
Garam masala
Kashmiri pepper
Black pepper
Garlic powder
Turmeric
Curry powder
Coriander powder
Salt
Ground cardamom
Lemon juice
Olive oil
For the Sauce:
Unsalted butter
Neutral oil
Tomato sauce
Heavy cream
Ginger garlic paste
Yellow onion
Sugar
Garam masala
Curry powder
Coriander powder
Kashmiri pepper (or sub paprika)
Turmeric
Chili powder
Bullion powder
Salt
Scroll for the entire detailed recipe ingredients and instructions.
Chicken on a Mission
This chicken tikka masala recipe is the kind of dish that creates long-lasting cravings. While the temptation to prepare it multiple times may arise, there’s simply no such thing as too much chicken tikka masala! It is simply too good to become boring at any point.
As it is a dish that is loaded with spices, this chicken tikka masala dish creates an exquisite fragrance in your kitchen. It is a dish on a mission to have your palate pleased and your hunger satisfied.
The Story Behind Chicken Tikka Masala
Since you’re already here, then there’s a high chance that you’ve heard or even tried butter chicken. Butter chicken is a traditional Indian dish, renowned for its silky creaminess and rich, smoky flavor.
Chicken tikka masala, on the other hand, is a British-Indian dish. Contrary to what most people may expect, it was invented in Britain in the 1960s.
The main purpose of the dish was to reuse chicken tikka pieces from leftovers. This repurposing method of food waste has now become one of my absolute favorite dishes that I crave every once in a while!
If you’re interested in such recipes but fear the hardcore spiciness for any reason, you should try my Restaurant Style Butter Chicken (cheat version).
While butter chicken is a little sweeter and has a milder spicy flavor, chicken tikka masala is tangier and definitely spicier. So, take your pick!
An Indian Legacy: Made in Britain
Monarch of the Dining Table: Chicken Tikka Masala
I believe that cooking is a form of art. This dish is like a perfect canvas to which you can add your touch as an artist.
For instance, you can add vegetables such as roasted bell peppers, mushrooms, or peas. This will add even more color to this already vibrant dish.
Furthermore, this dish pairs perfectly with buttered naan. The addition of buttered naan will make the experience of chicken tikka masala complete!
Last but not least, you definitely must try serving it with rice! It can be as simple as white rice, or anything that you would prefer.
The Perfect Chicken Main Course
Pro Tips
If you’re aiming for a thicker marinade, use Greek yogurt.
To keep the chicken tender, avoid overcooking it as this will result in it losing all its juices.
If you need to make this recipe dairy free, you can substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk or any plant-based milk of your preference.
If you feel that your tomatoes are too acidic, add a pinch of sugar to balance out the acidity.
Allowing the sauce to simmer on low heat will give you better consistency. It is also preferable to use heavy-bottomed pot to prevent the sauce from burning. Additionally, if you feel that your sauce is too thick, add a splash of water.
Toast spices briefly before adding them for an enhanced, smokier flavor. Taste and adjust seasonings before serving.
When reheating, reheat leftovers gently to prevent the cream from separating.
Chicken and Rice: Upgraded Version
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For a vegetarian version, simply replace the chicken with tofu.
It depends on the kids’ usual diet. Just in case, adjust and lower the spice level of the recipe as you see fit.
You can make the sauce as well as marinate the chicken ahead of time. Put them in the fridge until you decide to fully cook the meal.
After you let the chicken tikka masala cool down, put the leftovers in airtight containers and toss into your refrigerator. Take it out within 3-4 days at most, reheat, and enjoy.
The Meal that Steals the Show
Other Recipes You Will Adore:
Butter Chicken Paratha Quesadilla
Authentic Tandoori Chicken Recipe
Restaurant Style Butter Chicken (cheat version)
Pomegranate Lamb and Saffron Rice
If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate it and leave a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience. You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Ingredients
For the Chicken Tikka Marinade:
- 1½ pounds Chicken thighs you can use chicken breasts as well
- 2 tablespoons Garlic ginger paste
- 1 cup Plain yogurt
- 1 teaspoon Garam masala
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
- 1½ teaspoons Garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon Turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Curry powder
- ½ teaspoon Coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Ground cardamom
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons Neutral oil
- 3 cups Tomato sauce
- ¾ cup Heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons Ginger garlic paste
- 1 medium Yellow onion finely diced
- 1 tablespoon Sugar
- 1½ teaspoons Garam masala
- 1½ teaspoons Curry powder
- 1 teaspoon Coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri pepper or paprika
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric
- ½ teaspoon Chili powder
- 1 tablespoon Bullion powder
- Salt to taste
Instructions
To make the chicken:
- Cut your chicken into 2-inch cubes.
- Add the seasonings along with the yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, and ginger garlic paste.
- Marinate for an hour, or cook right away.
- Air-fry at 400 for 15 minutes, flipping the chicken half-way throughout the process. They should turn out a little charred. You can bake or pan fry instead.
To make the sauce:
- Melt the butter in a pot on medium heat.
- Add the olive oil.
- Add the finely diced onion and ginger garlic paste.
- Sauté until caramelized and browned for about 10 minutes.
- Add the tomato sauce, seasonings, and mix.
- Add in the cooked chicken pieces and the heavy cream.
- Cook on medium low for 10 minutes, or until thickened.
- Serve with naan or white rice.
Notes
- Avoid overcooking the chicken to keep it tender. Overcooking will make it lose all its juices.
- For a dairy free version, substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk or any plant-based milk.
- If you feel the tomatoes are too acidic, add a pinch of sugar to balance out the acidity.
- Toast spices briefly before adding them for an enhanced, smokier flavor. Taste and adjust seasonings before serving.
Great recipe! We love it. Just want to correct the origins of this story, it was actually created by Ali Ahmed Alsam, a British Pakistani chef.
My perspective is that this is has British/Pakistani roots, not Indian. I think it’s important to signify that because most fellow South Asian countries (Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal) cuisine gets categorized as Indian.
https://www.npr.org/2022/12/23/1145119758/chicken-tikka-masala-ali-ahmed-aslam-shish-mahal#:~:text=Hourly%20News-,Ali%20Ahmed%20Aslam%2C%20self%2Dproclaimed%20inventor%20of%20chicken%20tikka%20masala,a%20can%20of%20tomato%20soup.
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/travel/article/ali-ahmed-aslam-chicken-tikka-masala-glasgow/index.html
https://amp.theguardian.com/food/2022/dec/21/ali-ahmed-aslam-inventor-chicken-tikka-masala-dies-77
It says Indian-British because its definitely inspired by Butter Chicken, which is from India (: I’ve read that it was made by a Bangladeshi Chef as well!
So I’ve been searching for a good tikka masala recipe for so long and this one IS IT !!! It’s sooo delicious so creamy and perfect balance between the tomato and cream 😋😋😋 the flavor is just honestly addicting we could not stop eating it. So if you’ve been searching for a good recipe do not pass this one up it’s the BEST
Is the tomato sauce , liquidised fresh tomatoes or is it tin tomatoes or is it ketchup
tomato sauce is canned tomato sauce
This is one of the best recipes I’ve ever tried. I have tried many recipes from your website, and I am not disappointed! Thank you for all the delicious recipes!