Hi, I’m Jacob Allen, and I’m excited to share my Chicken Tikka Masala recipe. It’s more than just food; it reminds me of my college days with friends, eating and studying together late into the night.
In college, my friends and I loved cooking new dishes to spice up our meals. One day, we found Chicken Tikka Masala in The Kelly Clarkson show where the was Nick Jonas. We were curious about its flavors, so we decided to try it. In our small kitchen, we each helped out to make it perfect. We even enjoyed it with Pineapple Mocktails.
Now, whenever I make Chicken Tikka Masala, it brings back happy college memories. Join me in making this Unique recipe and relive those special times!
Overview: How to Make Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe?
Chicken Tikka Masala is a famous Indian dish with chicken in a creamy sauce. We marinate the chicken in yogurt and spices for flavor. Then, we bake or grill it until cooked and slightly charred.
Next, we make the sauce by cooking onions and garlic until soft. We add crushed tomatoes and let them simmer to get a rich tomato flavor. Then, we add heavy cream to make the sauce creamy.
Finally, we add the cooked chicken to the sauce and let everything simmer together. The result is a Great dish with creamy, spicy Taste. Serve it with rice or naan bread for a tasty meal.
Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Baking sheet
- Skewers
- Large Skillet
Ingredients
- 500 g boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsps ground cumin
- 2 tbsps ground coriander
- 2 tsps paprika
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large onion
- 1 can 400g crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt
- Fresh cilantro leaves
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, garam masala, ginger, chili powder, and half of the minced garlic. Add chicken pieces, coat evenly, and marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Thread marinated chicken onto skewers and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
- In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Add onions and remaining garlic, sauté until soft and translucent.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes. Add baked chicken pieces to the skillet and simmer for another 10 minutes.
- Pour in heavy cream, stir well, and simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Season with salt to taste.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves before serving.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of chili powder to suit your preferred level of spiciness.
- For a healthier version, you can use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream, though the taste and texture may differ slightly.
Nutrition
Time For My Personal Tips
Tip 1: Marinating the chicken overnight not only enhances the flavor but also ensures the meat is tender and juicy.
Tip 2: For an extra smoky flavor, grill the marinated chicken skewers instead of baking them in the oven.
Tip 3: Don’t rush the cooking process; allowing the spices to simmer together with the tomatoes and cream creates a rich and complex sauce that’s the hallmark of a delicious Chicken Tikka Masala.
For Lactose Intolerant Peoples
For a dairy-free Chicken Tikka Masala, you can use coconut milk or light coconut milk. It’s tasty either way! Just know that if you use light coconut milk, it will be a bit thinner and less creamy.
Secrets to Deliciously Rich Indian Cuisine
In Indian cooking, using enough oil and butter is important for richness in the dish. Don’t skimp on them, as it really affects the flavor. We were surprised at how much of a difference it made. You can reduce the oil by just 1 tablespoon at most, and skip the butter at the end if you want, but taste it first. Even with the full amount of oil and butter, it’s only about 1.7 tablespoons per serving, which isn’t too much.
You can use ghee instead of oil and butter for sautéing the onion, but I find oil and butter give a similar result. Sometimes I use ghee if I have it on hand, but usually, I don’t.
This dish has plenty of sauce on purpose because it’s delicious that way!
Even though it might seem like a lot, curries need a good amount of salt because of their intense flavors.
What To Serve With Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe?
Storing And Freezing the Leftovers!
Yes, you can! Just let the dish cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container and freeze for up to three months.
When you’re ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat it on the stove or in the microwave until piping hot.
Can I Use Chicken Thighs Instead of Chicken Breasts?
Chicken thighs work just as well in this recipe. They’re a bit juicier and add a deeper flavor to the dish.
Can I Make this Dish Without an Oven?
If you don’t have an oven, you can pan-fry the marinated chicken pieces until they’re cooked through. It might take a bit longer, but the result will still be delicious.