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Chicken Tikka Masala is one of our favorite Indian dishes of all time. Tender chicken in a creamy, flavorful, tomato sauce is so easy to make at home. A must try!
Featured with this Recipe
- Ingredients in Chicken Tikka Masala
- Chicken Tikka Masala History
- Garam Masala
- What to Serve with Chicken Tikka Masala
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Chicken Dinner Recipes
- How to Make Chicken Tikka Masala
- Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe
Chicken Tikka Masala first came into our lives years ago while we were living in California and some dear friends made it for us. Later we tried the same dish at an Indian Restaurant called The Bombay House in Provo, Utah. This recipe tastes exactly the same! Warm, creamy, and slightly spicy, this signature Indian meal can be made at home with ingredients and spices that you may already have in your kitchen! You can have an authentic Indian dinner in minutes without ordering take-out or spending a fortune at a restaurant.
Ingredients in Chicken Tikka Masala
Marinade
- Yogurt – not Greek yogurt, just regular plain yogurt
- Lemon Juice
- Cumin
- Cinnamon
- Garam Masala
- Cayenne Pepper
- Ground Pepper
- Fresh Ginger
- Salt
Chicken Tikka Masala
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – you can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs, you can also use other protein like shrimp
- Butter
- Garlic Cloves
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Garam Masala
- Chili Powder
- Salt
- Tomato Sauce
- Heavy Cream
- Fresh Cilantro
- Optional Sides – naan bread, basmati rice, raita
Chicken Tikka Masala History
The dish Chicken Tikka Masala gained popularity in an Indian restaurant in Glasgow, Scotland of all places, even though it was originally created in India. The Ali family who owned the restaurant came up with the creamy chicken recipe in the 1970s and word has it that it went on to become the most popular dish in British restaurants.
The chicken is first marinated in yogurt and spices, and then grilled on skewers. The next step is to add the chicken to the perfectly seasoned, creamy tomato sauce. We love that it is mild enough for our kids to enjoy, but spicy enough for the adults. If you’re looking to broaden your dinner horizons, try this recipe; you will love it!
Garam Masala
You’ll notice garam masala is listed as an ingredient in this Chicken Tikka Masala recipe. If you’ve never heard of garam masala, it is a ground spice blend traditionally used in Northern Indian dishes. When purchased, the blend can include cardamom, ground coriander, cumin, cinnamon, cloves, pepper, and turmeric. You can also make your own garam masala blend, but it won’t taste the same if you just mix use a mix of these powdered spices. Garam masala is so flavorful because the whole spices or seeds are first toasted before they are grounded and blended together. This brings out the the richest flavor and fragrance in the spices.
What to Serve with Chicken Tikka Masala
For a delicious Indian dinner, serve Chicken Tikka Masala over a bed of rice with warm naan bread or a simple green salad. You can also try a few of these tasty sides:
- Easy Garden Vegetable Rice
- Curried Cauliflower and Potatoes
- Curried Garbanzo Beans
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cook the chicken in the oven instead of the grill?
Yes, place the chicken skewers on a baking sheet lined with foil. Place on the top rack and broil at 390 degrees for 20 minutes, turning once.
What does Tikka Masala taste like?
Tikka Masala is a tomato based sauce that is creamy, earthy, and spicy.
Is chicken tikka masala spicy?
This recipe is not spicy at all. You can make it more spicy by adding cayenne pepper.
Read Next: 35+ Quick and Easy To Follow Dinner Ideas Your Family Will Surely Love
More Chicken Dinner Recipes
Need a little variety to your chicken dinners? Try these delicious chicken meals:
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Chicken Divan
Dinner
Chicken Paprikash
Chicken
Shoyu Chicken
Dinner
Poppy Seed Chicken
- Chicken Massaman Curry
- Coconut Curry Grilled Chicken
- Chicken Panang Curry
- Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce and Cool Cucumber Salad
- Jared’s General Tso’s Chicken
How to Make Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken Tikka Masala
4.96 from 50 votes
This Chicken Tikka Masala is one of our favorite Indian dishes of all time. Tender chicken in a creamy tomato sauce is so easy to make at home. A must try!
PrintPinRate
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Marinating time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 6
Video
Ingredients
Marinade:
- 1 cup yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces
- 5 wooden skewers
Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garam masala (optional)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Optional Sides:
- 6 pieces Naan Bread
- 3 cups rice cooked
- 1 cup cucumber yogurt (see recipe HERE)
Instructions
For the Marinade
In a large bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, cinnamon, garam masala, cayenne, pepper, ginger, and salt.Stir in chicken, cover, refrigerate 1 hour.
Preheat a grill for high heat. Lightly oil the grill grate. Thread chicken onto skewers and discard marinade.
Grill chicken skewers 5 minutes on each side.
For the Sauce
Melt butter in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium heat. Saute garlic for 1 minute.
Season with cumin, paprika, garam masala, chili powder, and salt. Stir in tomato sauce and cream.Simmer on medium low heat until sauce thickens, about 20 minutes.
Add grilled chicken to the sauce, and simmer for 5 more minutes.
Sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve with rice, naan bread, and cucumber yogurt.
Notes
- I am not a fan of onions, so I didn’t include them in this recipe. However, you can add a diced yellow onion and saute it with the garlic.
- Want Chicken Tikka Masala on the table quicker? Try our Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala recipe.
- For a more authentic taste, use a can of full fat coconut milk instead of heavy cream.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 264kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 15gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 101mgSodium: 1093mgPotassium: 469mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1335IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 101mgIron: 1.7mg
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