Description
Chicken Tikka Masala is a beloved British-Indian dish that blends tender, spiced chicken with a creamy, aromatic tomato-based curry sauce. Originating from Punjabi cuisine and adapted in the UK, this dish reflects a rich cultural exchange. Perfect for a cozy meal, it’s best enjoyed with basmati rice or naan.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
Substitute: Chicken breast for leaner option - 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
Substitute: Regular or dairy-free yogurt (e.g., coconut yogurt) - 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt, to taste
For the Tikka Masala Sauce:
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil or ghee
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
Substitute: Coconut milk or cashew cream for dairy-free - Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, mix yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, paprika, and salt.
- Coat the chicken in the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight for deeper flavor.
2. Cook the Chicken:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat a grill to medium-high.
- Arrange marinated chicken pieces on a baking sheet or skewer and cook for 15-20 minutes, until charred and cooked through. Set aside.
3. Prepare the Sauce:
- Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Sauté onions until golden.
- Add ginger-garlic paste, cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, garam masala, and chili powder. Stir and cook until fragrant.
- Add crushed tomatoes and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
4. Combine Chicken and Sauce:
- Lower the heat, stir in heavy cream, and add the cooked chicken. Simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
- Prep Time: 1 hour (including marinating time)
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling and Simmering
- Cuisine: British-Indian
Nutrition
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g (may vary based on cream substitution)
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g