Chicken Tikka Masala is creamy and easy to make right at home in one pan with simple ingredients! Full of incredible flavours, it rivals any Indian restaurant! Aromatic golden chicken pieces in an incredible creamy curry sauce.
28oz(800g) boneless and skinless chicken thighscut into bite-sized pieces
1cupplain yogurt
1 1/2tablespoonsminced garlic
1tablespoonginger
2teaspoonsgaram masala
1teaspoonturmeric
1teaspoonground cumin
1teaspoonKashmiri chili(or 1/2 teaspoon ground red chili powder)
1teaspoonof salt
For the sauce:
2tablespoonsof vegetable/canola oil
2tablespoonsbutter
2smallonions(or 1 large onion) finely diced
1 1/2tablespoonsgarlicfinely grated
1tablespoongingerfinely grated
1 1/2teaspoonsgaram masala
1 1/2teaspoonsground cumin
1teaspoonturmeric powder
1teaspoonground coriander
14oz(400g) tomato puree(tomato sauce/Passata)
1teaspoonKashmiri chili (optional for colour and flavour)
1teaspoonground red chili powder(adjust to your taste preference)
1teaspoonsalt
1 1/4cupsof heavy or thickened cream(use evaporated milk for lower calories)
1teaspoonbrown sugar
1/4cupwaterif needed
4tablespoonsFresh cilantro or corianderto 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.