What’s in This Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe?
Tikka masala is an Indian dish that consists of pieces or chunks of meat (tikka) in a red-orange, spicy, creamy sauce. Of course, chicken is the meat of choice in this chicken tikka masala recipe (although paneer, lamb, and tofu are other popular options).
Chicken: Use skinless, boneless chicken breasts, or you can use thigh meat. Buttermilk: We like using buttermilk instead of traditional yogurt for a more tender, buttery result. But you can stick to Greek yogurt if you prefer. Spices: This recipe uses a beautiful mix of spices, including cumin, turmeric, red chili powder, garam masala (a spice blend), and more. Tomato Sauce: This is the base of the red sauce. Butter: Use salted butter, or substitute coconut oil. Cream: Heavy cream adds a kick of creaminess to the sauce.
Variations on Easy Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken breast (instead of thigh meat) is a great place to start if you want a lighter, leaner version of this dish. But you can also find healthier substitutes for various ingredients in the recipe card. For example, substitute the butter with coconut oil, the buttermilk with yogurt, or the heavy cream with coconut milk.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover chicken tikka masala in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pot set over medium-low heat or in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through. We do not recommend freezing this dish, as the sauce separates once thawed.
Notes from the Test Kitchen
Don’t be put off by the marinating process. It’s simple, and can easily be started well ahead of dinner time. We recommend marinating it in buttermilk for a full hour. And you can give it an extra hour or two if that works for you. Remember: the longer you marinate, the more tender and flavorful the chicken will become! So you’ll benefit from prepping this step ahead of time.
How to Make Chicken Tikka Masala Step by Step
Cut the Chicken: Cut 24 ounces of boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-size pieces. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl add the chicken with 2 teaspoons of garam masala, 1 teaspoon of cumin, 1 teaspoon of turmeric, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 2 teaspoons of grated ginger, 1 teaspoon of red chili powder, and 2 cups buttermilk. Mix it, then cover it with cling film and chill in the fridge for 1 hour. Sear the Chicken: In a non-stick pan, add 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil on high heat. Add each chicken piece and cook for 4 minutes on each side until slightly browned. Keep the remaining marinade sauce for later. The chicken will not be thoroughly cooked at this point. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. Cook the Onions: In the same pan, add 1 tablespoon of salted butter and 1 large diced onion. Cook until soft and golden brown, for about 7 minutes on medium heat. Add the Tomato Sauce: Add 15 ounces of tomato sauce, the juice of lime, and bring to a simmer. Stir in the Leftover Marinade: Add the marinade sauce and cook for another 5 minutes. Simmer the Chicken: Add the chicken in and let everything cook on medium heat for 15-20 minutes, until the chicken is thoroughly cooked. Add the Heavy Cream: Add 1½ cups of heavy cream stir everything together and cook for another 5 minutes on low heat. Serve over steamed rice, add some fresh coriander to taste and enjoy!
More Indian Chicken Recipes We Love
Coconut Curry Chicken Country Captain Chicken Tandoori Chicken Thighs Thai Red Curry Chicken Easy Butter Chicken Crockpot Curry Chicken Massaman Chicken Curry
Note: This recipe is one of those few exceptions on our site that has more than 10 ingredients. We try to keep things VERY easy around here, and limiting ingredients and time spent is one of our favorite ways. That being said, this recipe is too delicious to leave out of our recipe box! It’s an exception that is so flavorful and worth the extra ingredients if you have the time and resources to make it.
title: “Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe” ShowToc: true date: “2024-10-13” author: “Walter Stone”
Why We Love This Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe
Chicken is marinated in yogurt, then cooked to perfection in a spicy and creamy tikka masala sauce. It’s surprisingly quick to make at home!
Easy. This dish can be made in under 45 minutes! There are just a few steps, and it’s really easy to make on weeknights. Flavorful. All of the typical tikka masala spices (cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, and more) are here to create the most flavorful dish ever! Creamy. Chicken swims in a creamy tikka masala sauce that is absolutely to die for! It’s so delicious, that you’ll want to finish every last bit.
Variations on This Easy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe
Tikka masala is a curry dish. It’s made with tomatoes, heavy cream, and lots of spices. This is an Indian-inspired dish, which is then cooked along with some form of meat/protein/etc. Tikka refers to the small pieces of meat, marinated in a sauce. Masala refers to the mix of spices added to the sauce. Tikka masala can be made with all different types of meat/protein at the center of the dish. I love this chicken tikka masala, but you could use beef, lamb, or even turkey instead. If you prefer a meatless version, try this Vegetarian Tikka Masala (made with cauliflower). Or swap out the chicken here for tofu or paneer (a soft cheese). Want more veggies? Add some chopped vegetables to cook directly in the sauce. I recommend using sweet peas, sliced carrots, or even potatoes (these would need to be par-cooked before mixing in). You can also replace the heavy cream with coconut milk if you prefer.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover chicken tikka masala in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pot set over medium-low heat or in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through.
How to Freeze
The best way to freeze chicken tikka masala is to separate the sauce and the chicken. The sauce can be frozen, but it’s best to cook the chicken when you’re ready to serve it. Chicken breast can be frozen too, so you can definitely keep some in the freezer for later. Thaw the tikka masala sauce in the fridge overnight, or in warm water. Prepare the chicken as directed, then add it to the thawed sauce, and let both simmer for 15-20 minutes on the stove.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this chicken tikka masala over rice for an easy meal. Add some veggies or naan bread on the side, and it will be complete! If you want to add some veggies or side dishes, try Creamy Pea Salad, Garlic Mashed Cauliflower, Creamed Corn, or Potato Wedges.
More Chicken Recipes To Try
Crockpot Chicken and Rice Almond Milk Chicken Curry Honey Chicken Creamy Chicken Spaghetti
Notes from the Test Kitchen
Use rotisserie chicken (or another pre-cooked chicken) to save a little bit of time when making this recipe. You can prep and marinate the chicken in yogurt ahead of time if needed. It can sit in the refrigerator overnight for up to 24 hours. The chicken should just be par-cooked at the start. Give it a sear, and take it off the heat while it’s still slightly pink inside. It will be fully cooked later on with the sauce. The dish is finished when the sauce is thickened and the chicken is fully cooked inside (it should reach 165°F). The sauce is actually a really great thing to make and freeze for future meals. So consider doubling the sauce recipe, and freezing lots of it to use as needed.
How to Make Chicken Tikka Masala Step by Step
Season the Chicken: Cut 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-size pieces and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon of curry powder, 1 teaspoon of Garam Masala, and 1-2 teaspoons granulated sugar. Place it in a bowl or Ziplock bag. Marinate the Chicken: Pour ¼ cup of plain Greek yogurt over the chicken making sure to cover each piece. Set the chicken aside until ready to cook. If cooking within 10 minutes, it is fine to leave on the counter. If letting it rest for more than 10 minutes, refrigerate until ready to cook. Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken. Cook until the chicken is lightly seared and not quite cooked through – still a soft pink in the center. Stir often. Turn off the heat when the chicken is still slightly pink inside. Cook the Onion: Heat 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a different large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil and butter are hot, add 1 diced sweet yellow onion. Cook until translucent then add 4 cloves of minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute, or until the garlic becomes fragrant. Add the Spices: Add 4 teaspoons of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, 1 teaspoon of ground ginger, ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of ground turmeric, 1 teaspoon of Garam Masala, 2 teaspoons of ground paprika, and ⅛-¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Stir in Tomato Sauce: Add 15 ounces (1 can) of tomato sauce, reduce the heat to low, and let the sauce thicken for 10-15 minutes, stirring often. Simmer and Serve: Add 1 cup of heavy whipping cream and 4 teaspoons of granulated sugar and bring the sauce to a low boil. Add the cooked chicken. Keep the heat on low and simmer until the sauce thickens and the chicken is fully cooked, about 15-30 minutes more. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with basmati or jasmine rice and Naan bread.
