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Chicken Tikka Masala is an Indian dish that has a beautiful rich and creamy gravy with the relish of smokiness from the grilled chicken. The sauce consists of a mix of spices, tomato, and cream which makes a tasty melange enjoyed across the globe.

Rich with aromatic spices and a texture you are bound to love, this dish is one that every Indian home makes as well as it is on the menu of any restaurant worth its salt.

If you are new to Indian cooking, Chicken Tikka Masala may seem like a daunting dish to prepare but it is quite easy! So here is a detailed tutorial to prepare this finger-licking dish.

Ingredients

For the Chicken Marinade:

• 500g boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt to taste

For the Masala Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
• 1 can (400g) tomato puree or crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for a dairy-free option)
• Fresh coriander leaves, for garnish

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken

Mix yoghurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala and cayenne pepper in a large bowl and season with salt. Chuck in a bowl and thoroughly combine it with all the rest of the marinade ingredients to form a smooth marinate.

Mix the cubed chicken into the mixture making sure to coat each piece well Stir ingredients to coat the chicken, cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight is ideal.

Cook the Chicken

You have a couple of options for cooking the chicken:

• Grilling: Get your grill or oven very hot. Skewer the marinated chicken pieces and grill for 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through with delicious charred edges. Flip the chicken halfway through.
• Stovetop: Add 1 tbsp of oil in a pan over medium-high heat (stovetop) Mix in the marinated chicken pieces and saute for 7-8 minutes for it to brown and cook thoroughly, stirring them a couple of times!

Once the chicken is cooked, let cool a bit while you make the sauce.

Prepare the Masala Sauce

Add 2 tablespoons oil or ghee over medium flame in a wide pan Fry for a few minutes until the onion is soft and slightly browned. It takes nearly 8-10 minutes, but the longer cooking time helps meld all the flavours in this multipurpose sauce.

Then stir in the ginger-garlic paste and sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant. Mix in the blended powder of cumin, coriander, garam masala, turmeric and red chilli powder (if adding). Add the spices — cook for about a minute, to co-mingle and develop.

Add the tomato puree and mix properly. Cook the sauce for ~10 minutes until it thickens and loses its raw tomato smell; stirring occasionally.

Add the Chicken and Cream

Once the sauce is thickened, reduce the heat and add cooked chicken pieces to it. Gently mix the chicken to cover and flavour with the sauce. Add the heavy cream (or coconut cream) and stir until you have a nice, smooth creamy mixture. Simmer the chicken in the sauce for 5 minutes to combine all of the flavours.

Have a taste of the sauce and just salt or seasonings only if required.

Garnish and Serve

At this point Chicken Tikka Masala is ready, just turn off the heat and garnish it with chopped fresh cilantro. Enjoy it warm along with some steamed basmati rice, naan bread or roti and you are all set for a hearty meal.

Variations

• Vegetarian Tikka Masala: Replace the chicken with paneer (Indian cottage cheese) or tofu and turn your dish into a mushroom curry- a vegetarian version of this dish.
• Spicy Chicken Tikka Masala: If you like it spicy! Up the amount of chilli powder or add fresh green chillies to the sauce. For added flavouring, you can add by choice a small amount of cayenne pepper.
• Coconut Chicken Tikka Masala: Replace the cream with full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
• Healthier Chicken Tikka Masala: Use Greek yogurt in place of heavy cream and grill the chicken instead of frying it. Alternatively, you can add some extra vegetables such as spinach, peas or bell peppers to make it a more well-balanced meal.

Tips and Tricks

• Marinating the Chicken: The longer this chicken sits in the marinate, the better it tastes. Shoot for 1 hour minimum, but overnight is best.
• Cooking the Chicken: Grilling the chicken adds a smoky flavour grilled chicken offers a smoky flavour that works well with the tomatoes, but you can also cook it on the stovetop if grilling isn’t an option.
• Simmering the Sauce: Let the sauce cook down until it thickens to enhance the flavour. Rushing this step can result in a watery sauce with less depth.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I make Chicken Tikka Masala ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the sauce and chicken ahead of time and combine it all when you are ready to eat! The dish is also good for storing in the refrigerator for about 3 days and reheated before serving.

• What’s the best way to store leftovers?

Refrigerate the Chicken Tikka Masala — store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If you prefer, freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight before framing.

Conclusion

If you love chicken then this chicken tikka masala recipe is a perfect dish that provides amazing taste and enduring comfort to food lovers worldwide. A recipe where juicy, marinated chicken is combined with a deep-fried spiced tomato sauce that makes for the most comforting and flavorful dinner.

Chicken tikka masala is an easy-to-make comfort food perfect for both weeknight dinners and eventful celebrations. Whether paired up with rice, naan or vegetables — it works wonders with everyone!

This recipe for Chicken Tikka Masala is straightforward, follow the steps and you will have a delicious restaurant-quality Chicken Tikka Masala in your own home.