Chicken Tikka Masala
A popular Indian dish with a spiced tomato cream based sauce with tender chicken and spices.
Oh Indian food, how I love you.
Indian food is known for its incredible flavor, due to a myriad of spices. This Chicken Tikka Masala is made with tender chicken in a rich, creamy tomato cream based sauce with Indian spices. It is a big bowl of comfort food!
A few weeks ago, we took my oldest daughter to college. *Cue the tears.* People warned us that raising our little kids would go by in the blink of an eye and it is SO TRUE! Our last meal together before we left her at college was at a popular Indian restaurant. I am sure that I was doing a good amount of emotional eating and comfort food was just what I needed.
I came home after eating that crave-worthy meal and had to make my own homemade Chicken Tikka Masala. It was just like I had in the authentic Indian restaurant and I have been eating it on repeat.
What is in Chicken Tikka Masala?
It starts off with chicken breast. The chicken breast is cut into bite-size pieces and marinated in full-fat Greek yogurt and Indian spices. This is what makes it so moist and tender.
The Tikka Masala sauce is made with a spice called Garam Masala. It is a complex spice made with a combination of popular Indian spices. It can be found in the spice aisle of your local grocery store. I also like to buy it in the bulk area since I can buy just what I need instead of a big jar.
This sauce also has ginger, garlic, coriander, cumin, paprika, onion, serrano pepper, butter, brown sugar, salt, crushed tomatoes, and heavy cream. It is packed with so much flavor!
Can Chicken Tikka Masala be made in a Slow-Cooker?
YES! When I was recipe testing, I decided to try making it in the slow cooker and it came out perfect. Since you aren't sauteeing the chicken in the oil, it can be omitted. You literally dump in all of the ingredients into the slow cooker, set it for 6-7 hours on low, and forget it. It is so easy!
How to make Chicken Tikka Masala:
- The key is to marinate the chicken in whole milk Greek yogurt and spices. This is what makes the chicken so tender. Let it marinate at least one hour before cooking but overnight is ideal.
- Saute the Indian chicken in oil over medium-high heat until chicken becomes a golden color about 4 minutes per side.
- The Tikka Masala sauce is made with butter, onion, Indian spices, crushed tomatoes, brown sugar, and heavy cream. After the sauce begins to simmer, add the chicken to fully cook through.
- If you want some extra spice, add an extra serrano pepper or red chili flakes to the sauce.
- This recipe can also be made in a slow-cooker. Add all ingredients and cook on low for 6-7 hours or until chicken is tender.
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Chicken Tikka Masala
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 2 lbs. Chicken Breast (cut into bite-size pieces)
- ¾ cup Whole Milk Yogurt
- 1 ½ teaspoons Salt
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Garam Masala
- 2 Tablespoons Oil
Tikka Masala Sauce:
- 4 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 Large Onion (finely diced)
- 1 Serrrano Pepper (finely diced)
- 2 teaspoons Ginger
- 1 Tablespoon Garam Masala
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Coriander*
- 1-2 teaspoons Salt
- 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
- (1) 14-ounce can Crushed Tomatoes
- 1 ½ cup Heavy Cream
- ¼ cup Water (optional)
Garnish:
- Rice
- Naan Bread
- Cilantro
Instructions
Chicken Marinade:
- In a medium-sized bowl, add chicken, yogurt, salt, garam masala, and garlic powder. Stir to completely coat chicken. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil. Cook chicken for 4 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
Chicken Tikka Masala Sauce:
- In the same skillet, add butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 6-7 minutes or until it starts to soften. Stir in pepper and cook for 1 minute. Add ginger, garam masala, paprika, garlic powder, turmeric, coriander, and salt. Stir to coat onions. Add brown sugar and tomatoes.
- Let simmer for 10-15 minutes or until sauce begins to thicken. Stir in the heavy cream. Add chicken back into the sauce and let cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, stirring often. Add water, if needed.
- Serve with basmati rice and naan bread. Top with cilantro.
Notes
Thanks for stopping by!
Jenna
Made this recipe this week and it was awesome! So many Tikka Masala recipes can be bland but the spices stick with this one to give it a great punchy flavor. I’ll be making it again!
Mandy
This has been one of my husbands favorite Indian dishes for over a decade. I was excited when I ran across this recipe. We have eaten this out many times and I have to say, this recipe is excellent! I wasn’t sure whether to use ground or fresh ginger. I went with grated fresh and it turned out amazing! I’ve already given this recipe to two friends. Thank you so much!
Jen
So, so, so good! My husband, who hasn't really had Indian food before was blown away! He loved it! I followed the recipe exactly. It was amazing!
Teddy Guarino
Can full fat coconut Milk be substituted for heavy cream?
Modern Honey
Absolutely! It would taste delicious. 🙂