Description
This Authentic Homemade Chicken Tikka Masala is a rich, creamy, and deeply flavorful dish made with marinated grilled chicken simmered in a spiced tomato cream sauce. It’s a restaurant-style favorite you can easily recreate at home!
Ingredients
Scale
- For the chicken marinade:
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt to taste
- For the sauce:
- 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all marinade ingredients. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
- Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Grill or sear chicken pieces until lightly charred and cooked through. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan, heat oil or ghee over medium heat. Sauté onion until soft and golden, about 5–7 minutes.
- Add garlic and ginger; cook for 1 minute. Stir in garam masala, cumin, paprika, and turmeric. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in cream and cooked chicken. Simmer gently for another 10–15 minutes until the sauce thickens and chicken is well coated.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with naan or basmati rice.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken overnight for the most flavor.
- For a lighter version, substitute cream with plain yogurt or light coconut milk.
- Adjust the spice level by reducing or increasing cayenne pepper.
- This dish freezes well—store in airtight containers for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: chicken tikka masala, Indian curry, creamy chicken curry, tikka masala recipe, homemade chicken tikka