Description
Chicken Tikka Masala is a comforting and flavorful Indian curry featuring marinated grilled chicken chunks simmered in a creamy, spiced tomato-based sauce. This recipe uses simple ingredients and clear steps to create an authentic, customizable dish perfect for beginners and Indian food lovers alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 500g boneless chicken breast or thighs
- 150g yogurt
- 1 tbsp ginger and garlic paste
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp garam masala
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp cooking oil or ghee
Sauce
- 2 tbsp cooking oil or ghee
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger and garlic paste
- 400g tomato puree
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp garam masala
- 150 ml heavy cream or coconut cream
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Combine yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, chili powder, garam masala, salt, and oil in a bowl. Toss chicken pieces in this marinade ensuring they are evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for best flavor and tenderness.
- Cook the Chicken: Grill or pan-fry the marinated chicken pieces over medium-high heat until cooked through and slightly charred on the edges. Remove from heat and set aside to maintain juiciness.
- Prepare the Sauce: Heat oil or ghee in a large pan over medium heat. Sauté finely chopped onions until golden brown. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in tomato puree, turmeric, cumin, chili powder, and garam masala. Let the sauce simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes to develop deep flavors.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Add the grilled chicken pieces to the simmering sauce, stirring well to coat. Pour in heavy cream or coconut cream and cook for another 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens to a luscious consistency and flavors meld beautifully.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish by sprinkling freshly chopped coriander over the curry. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot alongside basmati rice or warm naan bread.
Notes
- Marinate chicken longer for more tender and flavorful results.
- Use freshly ground spices for enhanced aroma and depth.
- Simmer sauce slowly to develop richness and smooth texture.
- Slightly char the chicken to add traditional tandoori-like flavor.
- Adjust cream quantity to achieve your preferred sauce richness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Chicken Tikka Masala, Indian curry, Chicken curry, Indian recipes, Tikka Masala, Easy Indian, Creamy curry
