Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken tikka masala is a beloved Indian dish that combines marinated chicken with a rich, creamy tomato sauce, delivering an explosion of flavors in every bite. Perfect for cozy family dinners or vibrant gatherings, this recipe is both simple and impressive. With tender chicken enveloped in spices and paired with fluffy rice or warm naan, it’s sure to become a favorite on your dinner table.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3-4)
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tbsp garlic-ginger paste
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut milk for dairy-free)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 green chilies, sliced (mild or hot)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: In a bowl, mix yogurt, garlic-ginger paste, cumin, coriander, turmeric, salt, and lemon juice. Add cubed chicken and let sit for at least 30 minutes.
- Sauté onions: Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chopped onions until golden brown (5-7 minutes).
- Add spices: Stir in green chilies and cook briefly before adding ground spices. Stir continuously until aromatic (about 1 minute).
- Create the sauce: Pour in canned tomatoes and simmer for about 10 minutes until thickened.
- Add cream: Reduce heat and stir in the cream until smooth; simmer gently for another 5 minutes.
- Finish with chicken: Add marinated chicken to the sauce and cook until fully cooked through (15-20 minutes).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 90mg