Chicken Tikka Masala
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
45 mins
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Additional Time
10 hrs
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Total Time
10 hrs 55 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
592 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Indian
Chicken Tikka Masala
Description
Chicken Tikka Masala combines marinated chicken pieces with a complex sauce made from caramelized onions, garlic, ginger, and a range of traditional Indian spices including garam masala, cumin, coriander, and cardamom. The chicken is marinated overnight in yogurt and lemon juice to tenderize and infuse flavor, then quickly broiled to achieve slight charring that adds texture and a smoky note. The sauce is built by cooking down tomato puree with spices and finishing with heavy cream, producing a creamy, savory base that coats each piece of chicken. The dish requires layering flavors through the marinade and the sauce, making every bite rich and aromatic.
The resulting chicken tikka masala is suited for serving alongside steamed rice or warm flatbreads, where the creamy sauce can be savored. The floral and smoky notes from the variety of spices bring complexity while the cream softens the heat for balanced enjoyment. This dish is ideal when the marinade has had sufficient time to penetrate the chicken, and when the sauce is simmered just until well combined and creamy.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken pieces cut into bite-sized pieces (thigh meat has more flavor and is more moist than breast meat, boneless, skinless, 900 grams
- For the Marinade:
- 3/4 cup yogurt whole milk recommended, plain, 190 grams
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon neutral flavored oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic finely minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger finely minced
- 2 teaspoons smoked sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- garam masala STRONGLY recommended) click link for recipe, homemade
- 1 teaspoon cumin ground
- 1/4 teaspoon green cardamom ground
- 1 teaspoon salt
- For the sauce:
- 4 tablespoons ghee , or oil
- 1 yellow onion finely chopped (about 2 1/2 cups, very large
- 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic finely minced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ginger finely minced
- 2 teaspoons garam masala , click link for homemade garam masala recipe (STRONGLY recommended)
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 2 teaspoons cumin ground
- 2 teaspoons paprika sweet
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric ground
- 1 teaspoon kashmiri chili powder , optional for heat (or cayenne pepper)
- 1/4 teaspoon green cardamom ground
- 1 brown cardamom optional but recommended, whole
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 1/2 cups tomato puree plain, 750 grams (can be sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream 240 ml
- 1/4 cup cilantro chopped plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Make the Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, make the marinade by combining the yogurt, lemon juice, oil, spices, garlic and ginger. Add the chicken pieces and stir to thoroughly coat. Cover and refrigerate for several hours, preferably overnight.
- Grill the Chicken: Thread the chicken pieces onto skewers and arrange them on a lined roasting rack or a lined baking sheet.Preheat the oven to 500 F. Roast the chicken on the top rack under the broiler for 10-12 minutes, turning once, or until the chicken is lightly charred on the edges.*Reserve the juices that dripped to the bottom of the rack and add them to the sauce along when you add the grilled chicken.
- Make the Sauce: While the chicken is roasting, heat the ghee in a large saucepan and cook the onions over medium-high heat until they're caramelized. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for another two minutes.Add all of the spices and cook for another minute or two. Stir in the tomato paste. Add the tomato puree, water, salt and sugar. Bring the sauce to a simmer, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Stir in the cream.
- Remove the grilled/roasted chicken pieces from the skewers and add them to the sauce along with the reserved drippings from the roasting pan.Bring the sauce back to a simmer, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the chopped cilantro. Add salt to taste.
- Garnish the Chicken Tikka Masala with some more chopped cilantro and serve with hot basmati or jasmine rice and fresh naan bread.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 592 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 592kcal | 30% |
| Carbohydrates | 17g | 6% |
| Protein | 33g | 66% |
| Fat | 48g | 74% |
| Saturated Fat | 21g | 105% |
| Cholesterol | 197mg | 66% |
| Sodium | 904mg | 38% |
| Potassium | 850mg | 18% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 1648IU | 33% |
| Vitamin C | 16mg | 18% |
| Calcium | 115mg | 12% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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