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Chicken Tikka Masala with rice, raita, and salad on serving plate

Chicken Tikka Masala

A flavorful and creamy Indian dish made with marinated grilled chicken and a spiced tomato-based sauce.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Marination Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 30 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4 people
Calories 430 kcal

Equipment

  • Oven or Skillet or Air Fryer
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Pan

Ingredients
  

Chicken Marinade

  • 1.5 lbs chicken boneless preferably thighs or breasts
  • 0.5 cup Greek yogurt hung curd
  • 0.5-1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder adjust to taste
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 0.25 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 0.5 tsp cumin powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp kasuri methi dried fenugreek leaves
  • 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste or ¾ tbsp each of grated ginger and garlic
  • 1 tbsp oil mustard oil preferred

Tikka Masala Sauce

  • 3 tbsp oil or ghee
  • 1.5 cups onions finely chopped
  • 1 green chili optional
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste or ¾ tbsp each of grated ginger and garlic
  • 0.5-1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder adjust to taste
  • 1-2 tsp garam masala adjust to taste
  • 1 tbsp coriander powder
  • 1-1.5 tsp cumin powder adjust to taste
  • 1-2 tsp sugar adjust to taste
  • 1.1 lbs tomatoes pureed or chopped; see notes for alternatives
  • 1 cup hot water double if using cashews
  • 1 tbsp kasuri methi dried fenugreek leaves
  • 0.5-0.75 cup heavy cream or 1/2 cup cashews for cashew cream

For Garnish

  • 3 tbsp heavy cream or any cream
  • 3 tbsp coriander leaves finely chopped

Instructions
 

  • Cube chicken and marinate with all marinade ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for minimum 8 hours or overnight.
  • Heat oil in a pan. Add onions and salt. Sauté until golden.
  • Add ginger garlic paste and green chili. Sauté until aromatic.
  • Add chili powder, garam masala, coriander and cumin powder. Mix well.
  • Add tomatoes and cook until thick. Pour in hot water, simmer covered 12–14 mins.
  • Grill, pan-fry or air-fry marinated chicken until lightly charred.
  • Add cream to sauce, simmer until creamy and aromatic.
  • Stir in grilled chicken and kasuri methi. Simmer until chicken is soft. Garnish with cream and coriander.

Notes

See notes for cashew cream alternative, authentic spice tips, and Tandoori-style smoking.
Keyword Chicken, Tikka Masala