Chicken Tikka Masala (Printable version)

Tender chicken pieces marinated in yogurt and spices, simmered in a creamy tomato sauce with garam masala and cumin.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken Marinade

01 - 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
03 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
04 - 2 tsp ground cumin
05 - 2 tsp ground coriander
06 - 1 ½ tsp garam masala
07 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1 tsp ground turmeric
09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated

→ Sauce

12 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
13 - 1 tbsp vegetable oil
14 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
15 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
16 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
17 - 1 tbsp ground cumin
18 - 1 tbsp garam masala
19 - 2 tsp ground paprika
20 - 1 tsp ground coriander
21 - 1 tsp chili powder
22 - 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
23 - 1 cup heavy cream
24 - 1 tsp sugar
25 - Salt and pepper, to taste
26 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Combine yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, garam masala, paprika, turmeric, salt, garlic, and ginger in a large bowl. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2–4 hours for optimal flavor.
02 - Preheat oven broiler to high. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a rack on top. Arrange marinated chicken pieces on the rack in a single layer. Broil for 5–7 minutes per side until lightly charred and almost cooked through. Alternatively, grill or pan-sear the chicken.
03 - Heat butter and vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until golden brown, approximately 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and grated ginger; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in ground cumin, garam masala, paprika, coriander, and chili powder. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly to release their essential oils and prevent burning.
05 - Pour in tomato sauce and add sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Stir in heavy cream and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens to a velvety consistency.
07 - Add broiled chicken to the sauce and simmer for 7–10 minutes until chicken is tender and fully cooked through. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The homemade version tastes infinitely better than takeout and costs a fraction of the price
  • You can control the heat level so it works for everyone at your table
  • Leftovers actually taste better the next day as the spices deepen
02 -
  • The broiling step is not optional if you want authentic restaurant flavor
  • Do not let the spices burn during the blooming phase or you will have to start over
  • The sauce will continue thickening as it rests so do not reduce it too much
03 -
  • If the sauce splits add a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with cold water to bring it back together
  • Grilling the chicken over charcoal adds another layer of flavor that broiling cannot match
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