Easy Chicken Tikka Masala

This Chicken Tikka Masala rivals and may even surpass restaurant-quality curries! What sets it apart is that you can make it in one pan, right in the comfort of your kitchen, with a touch of love.

The rich, creamy curry sauce and perfectly golden chicken make this dish exceptional. It’s bursting with aromatic flavors that could easily compete with any Indian restaurant’s offering. Why go out when you can make an even better version at home? This Chicken Tikka Masala is one of the best recipes ever.

HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA

One of the best aspects of this recipe is that many of the ingredients are likely already in your fridge or pantry. They’re readily available at any grocery store if you can’t find them!

Like Butter Chicken, authentic Chicken Tikka Masala traditionally uses yogurt-marinated chargrilled chicken to give it a smoky, delicious flavor. The entire dish is prepared in just one pan or skillet to make this recipe more convenient.

Chicken Thighs or Breasts?

For this version, chicken thighs are used for a juicy, tender result and require a short marination time—just 10 minutes in a spiced Tikka Masala yogurt marinade. If you prefer chicken breasts, I recommend marinating them overnight to allow the yogurt to tenderize the meat, ensuring better flavor and texture, especially when cooking at high heat.

Just like our Thai Chicken Satay, both thighs and breasts work well, but a longer marination for breasts will yield a more tender and flavorful dish.

POT AND PAN

For the best-charred flavor, a well-seasoned cast iron skillet is ideal, but a regular nonstick pan over high heat works, too. Make sure to sear the chicken in small batches of two or three pieces to prevent overcrowding. This will help it fry or char effectively instead of steaming in its own juices.

The chicken won’t be completely cooked since it will continue to cook in the sauce later on. This step lets the chicken absorb the rich flavors of the Tikka Masala spices as it simmers in the sauce.

WHAT IS TIKKA MASALA SAUCE?

Chicken Tikka Masala features a rich tomato purée base infused with a blend of traditional Indian spices, including:

Garam Masala
Cumin
Ground Coriander
Turmeric

These spices combine to create the dish’s signature depth of flavor and warmth.

IS CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA SPICY?

If you can get your hands on Kashmiri chili, definitely use it! This mild chili not only enhances the flavor of the Masala sauce but also gives it a vibrant color. If it’s unavailable, no worries—regular ground red chili powder or cayenne works just as well. Feel free to modify the amount to match your preferred spice level or omit it altogether for a milder curry.

DO I BLEND TIKKA MASALA SAUCE?

This really comes down to personal preference. Over time, I’ve experimented with both methods. In the image above, the sauce was blended and strained to achieve a smooth, lump-free texture akin to our Coconut Shrimp Curry.

I personally prefer the non-blended version because it’s faster and less messy! Blending can strain out some key flavors, and you want to retain as much of that authentic Tikka Masala taste as possible in your curry.

Is chicken tikka masala healthy or unhealthy?

However, like many traditional Indian dishes that were once lower in fat, modern Chicken Tikka Masala has evolved into a much richer recipe. A typical serving can pack around 1,249 calories and 90.8 grams of fat, largely due to ghee and heavy cream.

Ingredients

For the chicken marinade, you’ll need:

28 oz boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup plain yogurt
1 ½ tablespoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon ginger
2 teaspoons garam masala
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili (or ½ teaspoon ground red chili powder)
1 teaspoon salt

For the sauce, you’ll need:

2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
2 tablespoons butter
2 small onions (or 1 large), finely diced
1 ½ tablespoons finely grated garlic
1 tablespoon finely grated ginger
1 ½ teaspoons garam masala
1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon ground coriander
14 ounces tomato puree (or Passata)
1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili (optional for color and flavor)
1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon salt
1 ¼ cups heavy cream or thickened cream (use evaporated milk for a lighter option)
1 teaspoon brown sugar
¼ cup water (if needed)
4 tablespoons fresh cilantro (to garnish)

Directions

Step 1: Mix the chicken with all the marinade ingredients in a bowl and allow it to marinate for 10 minutes to an hour (or overnight if possible).
Step 2: Warm oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. When the oil is sizzling, add the chicken pieces in two or three batches, ensuring you don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook until browned, flipping for just 3 minutes on each side. Set aside and keep warm. (You’ll complete the cooking process for the chicken in the sauce.)

Step 3: Melt the butter in the same pan. Fry the onions until soft (about 3 minutes), scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.
Step 4: Add garlic, ginger, and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Then add garam masala, cumin, turmeric, and coriander. Fry for about 20 seconds until fragrant, stirring occasionally.

Step 5: Add the tomato puree, chili powders, and salt. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, occasionally stirring, until the sauce thickens and becomes a deep brown-red color.
Step 6: Stir the cream and sugar into the sauce. Add the chicken and its juices back into the pan and cook for 8-10 minutes until the chicken is cooked and the sauce is thick and bubbling. If necessary, add water to the sauce to achieve your desired consistency.
Step 7: Garnish with cilantro (coriander) and serve with hot garlic butter, Rice, and fresh homemade Naan bread!

Notes

Tip: Remember to cook your chicken in smaller batches to prevent the meat from simmering in the pan juices.

Chicken Tikka Masala Conclusion

Chicken Tikka Masala is a delightful and aromatic dish featuring tender, marinated chicken pieces enveloped in a rich, creamy tomato sauce infused with spices. This traditional Indian-inspired recipe is cherished for its robust blend of fragrant spices and its harmonious mix of heat and creaminess. Whether enjoyed with naan, rice, or your favorite sides, it’s a hearty and satisfying meal that rivals any restaurant version while easily prepared at home.