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Creamy, comforting, and bursting with bold flavors, Chicken Tikka Masala is the cozy dinner you’ll keep coming back to! This simplified one-pot recipe skips the grill but delivers the same tender, spiced chicken in a luscious tomato-based sauce. Just like my rich Butter Chicken, this dish brings authentic flavors straight to your table with minimal effort. Perfect for busy weeknights or a special weekend treat!
Why This Tikka Masala Works!
What sets this recipe apart? It’s all about bringing restaurant-quality flavor to your home kitchen, with less effort and more love. Unlike most recipes out there, this version comes together in just one pan, making cleanup a breeze. Plus, you won’t need a tandoor to achieve that iconic charred flavor—smart cooking techniques do the trick!
The creamy, velvety sauce is packed with layers of spices and tender chicken, making it just as good—if not better—than your favorite takeout. Pair it with Homemade Naan for the full experience. Why dine out when you can create magic at home?
Recipe Ingredients
The secret to this Chicken Tikka Masala lies in its bold and vibrant ingredients. Tender chicken thighs soak up a spiced yogurt marinade, garam masala adds layers of warmth, and Kashmiri chili brings a pop of color. Simple staples, extraordinary flavor!
- Boneless Chicken Thighs (or Breasts) : Opt for fresh, skinless chicken thighs with even thickness for tender, juicy results. Their higher fat content makes them less likely to dry out compared to chicken breasts, ensuring every bite stays succulent. That is the reason why I chose to use them also in my Thai Chicken Satay recipe.
- Yogurt: Use plain, unflavored yogurt for the marinade—Greek or regular will work. Look for full-fat yogurt for richer flavor and to tenderize the chicken beautifully during the marination process.
- Garam Masala: Pick a high-quality garam masala blend, preferably fresh, as its warming spices are key to the dish’s deep flavor. Store it in an airtight container to preserve its potency and aroma.
- Kashmiri Chili: Choose Kashmiri chili for its vibrant color and mild heat—it’s all about that balance of flavor and aesthetics. If unavailable, you can substitute it with paprika for color, though the flavor profile may slightly differ.
- Tomato Puree: Select a smooth, rich tomato puree (Passata) without added salt or sugar for optimal control over the flavor. Its tangy, velvety base is essential to the creamy curry sauce.
*Note – See recipe card at the bottom for full list of ingredients and measurements
Step By Step Instructions
Let’s get started! With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a rich, creamy Chicken Tikka Masala bursting with flavor, ready to impress anyone at the table. Let’s dive straight into making this irresistible dish!
- Marinate the Chicken: Combine chicken, yogurt, garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric, cumin, chili, and salt in a bowl. Mix well, cover, and marinate for at least 10 minutes or up to overnight for deeper flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the marinated chicken in batches for 3 minutes per side until browned. Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté diced onions until soft and caramelized, then stir in garlic, ginger, and spices. Cook for 20 seconds to release their aroma.
- Combine Ingredients: Add tomato puree and mix with the onions and spices. Season with chili powder and salt. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and deepens in flavor.
- Add Cream and Chicken: Stir heavy cream into the thickened sauce, then add the seared chicken and its juices. Coat the chicken in the sauce, cover, and simmer for 8-10 minutes. Adjust with water if needed for desired consistency.
- Final Touches: Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot with basmati rice, naan, or flatbread for a complete Indian meal experience.
Chicken Tikka Masala is such a versatile dish that it opens up endless pairing possibilities! Serve it alongside Easy Tomato Salad or Honey Roasted Carrots for a fresh contrast. Want to mix things up? Add a cooling cucumber raita or a vibrant Cowboy Caviar for extra layers of flavor.
If you’re feeling adventurous, experiment with different proteins like paneer, shrimp, or tofu to create your own twist on this beloved favorite. Every combination turns Chicken Tikka Masala into a unique and flavorful experience, making it a dish you’ll come back to time and time again!
Recipe FAQ’s
The level of spiciness in Chicken Tikka Masala can vary based on the amount of chili powder used in the recipe. Kashmiri chili powder is milder and adds color without excessive heat, while the quantity can be adjusted according to personal spice preferences. If you prefer a less spicy dish, simply reduce the amount of chili powder.
While both dishes are similar, the main difference lies in the preparation and sauce. Butter Chicken typically has a richer, more buttery sauce and is often sweeter, whereas Chicken Tikka Masala has a more robust spice flavor and is creamier.
The color comes from a mix of tomatoes, turmeric, and paprika in the sauce.
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Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe
Ingredients
For the chicken marinade:
- 28 oz boneless chicken thighs skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger fresh, crushed or minced
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili or 1/2 teaspoon ground red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the sauce:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or canola oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 small onions or 1 large onion, finely diced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic finely grated
- 1 tablespoon ginger finely grated
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 14 ounces tomato puree tomato sauce/Passata
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili optional for colour and flavour
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder adjust to your taste preference
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups heavy or thickened cream, use evaporated milk for lower calories
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/4 cup water if needed
- 4 tablespoons cilantro fresh coriander to garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine chicken with all of the ingredients for the chicken marinade; let marinate for 10 minutes to an hour (or overnight if time allows).
- Heat oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. When sizzling, add chicken pieces in batches of two or three, making sure not to crowd the pan. Fry until browned for only 3 minutes on each side. Set aside and keep warm. (You will finish cooking the chicken in the sauce.)
- Melt the butter in the same pan. Fry the onions until soft (about 3 minutes) while scraping up any browned bits stuck on the bottom of the pan.
- Add garlic and ginger and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, then add garam masala, cumin, turmeric and coriander. Fry for about 20 seconds until fragrant, while stirring occasionally.
- Pour in the tomato puree, chili powders and salt. Let simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens and becomes a deep brown red colour.
- Stir the cream and sugar through the sauce. Add the chicken and its juices back into the pan and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thick and bubbling. Pour in the water to thin out the sauce, if needed.
- Garnish with cilantro (coriander) and serve with hot garlic butter rice and fresh homemade Naan bread!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Amazing recipe !!!! Thank you !
I’ve been using this recipe for years and it has steadily become my absolute favorite meal. At this point I can make it by heart. THANK YOU!
Just Incredible!!! Making this for the second time later today. Made it a few weeks ago and it was so delicious a few co-workers tried it and were floored how much better homemade was! I made zero changes. I made my own garam masala which was super easy and a lot cheaper. First time I made the chicken I put the marinated pieces on a metal skewer and grilled them on my indoor grill. Will try a pan today. Chicken stayed super moist- not dry like takeout. Thanks for this delicious recipe!! 🇮🇳
I’ve wanted to try making tikka masala for so long but always thought I’d be disappointed that it’s not as good. I finally decided we’ll just try a recipe and if it doesn’t turn out we’ll try a different recipe. But wow I think this is the most delicious thing I’ve ever made! This is going to be a regular recipe for us now. Every single person LOVED it. My picky 3 and 1 year old even asked to have left overs the next morning for breakfast. My husband and I liked it more than any restaurant. And I was amazed at how easy it was to make. We doubled the batch and froze some so we’ll see how it keeps. The only change we made was using crushed tomatoes instead of tomato sauce. Thank you for this recipe!
I’m so happy to hear that the ENTIRE family loved it. Well done on you and happy cooking!
This was really really good. Hubby said it’s just like we had at our favorite restaurant.
Thank you LaTrease, you just made my day!
IS the nutritional info per serving or for the whole dish?
And, if it’s per serving, what is the quantity of that serving.
Hi James! The serving shown refers to the average calorie intake per serving. Our usual serving size is approximately one and a half cups in volume.
I always make is with coconut milk but evaporated milk is more affordable and in my pantry 🙂
Made this tonight after enjoying amazing Tikka Masala on my honeymoon.
WOW! So good!! Followed the recipe closely, marinated the chicken overnight, made sure to use cast iron and really got a great sear on the chicken pieces in batches. Phenomenal!