Description
Chicken Tikka Masala is a flavorful and creamy Indian-inspired dish featuring tender marinated chicken cooked in a spiced tomato and cream sauce. This recipe offers a perfect balance of tangy yogurt, fragrant spices, and rich cream, making it an all-time favorite comfort food that’s great served with rice or naan bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Cooking
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, lemon juice, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground turmeric, garam masala, chili powder, and salt. Add the chicken pieces and toss well to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Sauté Onions: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until soft and golden brown, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic and fresh ginger. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, which helps build the base flavor for the sauce.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the marinated chicken pieces to the skillet. Cook them, stirring occasionally, until they are browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. This step locks in the flavor and creates a nice texture.
- Simmer with Tomato Sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook uncovered for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow the chicken to absorb the sauce and cook through.
- Finish with Cream: Stir in the heavy cream and simmer for another 5 minutes until the sauce is warmed through and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or spices as needed.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro. Serve hot over basmati rice or with warm naan bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight enhances the depth of flavor significantly.
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier, more tender result compared to chicken breast.
- For a spicier dish, increase the chili powder or add fresh chili peppers.
- Heavy cream may be substituted with coconut milk for a dairy-free version but will slightly alter the flavor.
- Serve with steamed basmati rice or naan bread to complete the meal.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
