Description
Succulent chicken tikka masala brings home the rich flavors of India’s culinary heritage with tender marinated chicken swimming in a velvety, spice-infused tomato cream sauce. Diners discover a perfect harmony of warmth, depth, and comfort that transports palates straight to the heart of traditional Indian cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs
- 0.5 cup plain yogurt
Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 cups tomato puree
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.25 cup butter
Spices and Aromatics:
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 medium onion
- 2 tbsp garam masala
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro (for garnish)
- 1 lemon (for juice)
Instructions
- Marinate chicken thighs in yogurt and half of the spice blend (garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, salt, and pepper) for 30 minutes at room temperature to infuse deep flavors.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear marinated chicken pieces until golden brown and slightly charred, approximately 6-7 minutes per side.
- Remove chicken and set aside, then in the same skillet, sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add remaining spices to the onion mixture, stirring constantly to prevent burning and release their aromatic oils for 1-2 minutes.
- Pour tomato puree into the skillet, stirring to incorporate the spices and create a rich, vibrant base sauce.
- Reduce heat to low and slowly stir in heavy cream and butter, creating a smooth, luxurious texture.
- Return seared chicken to the sauce, gently coating each piece and simmering for 10-12 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and sauce thickens.
- Finish the dish by squeezing fresh lemon juice over the top and garnishing with chopped cilantro for brightness and color.
- Serve hot, ideally alongside steamed rice or warm naan bread to complement the creamy, spiced sauce.
Notes
- Marinate chicken longer for deeper flavor absorption, ideally 2-4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator to enhance taste complexity.
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for more tender and juicy meat that holds up better in the creamy sauce compared to chicken breasts.
- Choose full-fat yogurt for marination to ensure maximum tenderness and prevent the meat from becoming dry during cooking.
- Create a dairy-free version by substituting heavy cream with coconut milk and using plant-based butter for a vegan-friendly alternative that maintains rich, creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg