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Easy 1-Pot Tikka Masala

Incredibly rich, flavorful, easy-to-make 1-pot tikka masala with chicken and chickpeas! BIG flavor, perfectly spiced, vegan optional!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 6 (Servings)
Calories: 334 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

CURRY
  • 3 Tbsp avocado oil (or sub ghee if not vegan)
  • 1 medium white or yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 Tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp sea salt (DIVIDED // plus more to taste)
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced (6 cloves yield ~3 Tbsp)
  • 2 Tbsp fresh minced ginger
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, seeds and stems removed, halved then sliced lengthwise
  • 1 ½ Tbsp minced green chili, stems and seeds removed (use serrano or jalapeño)
  • 1 boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed (organic, pasture-raised when possible // if omitting chicken, double quantity of chickpeas)
  • 1 Tbsp ground coriander
  • 1/4 tsp red chili flake (omit for less heat)
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 15-ounce cans diced tomatoes (if unsalted, you’ll add more salt to the dish) BLEND ONE CAN FOR SMOOTHER TEXTURE
  • 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, slightly drained (if omitting chicken, double quantity of chickpeas)
  • 1 Tbsp garam masala* (see notes for DIY blend)
  • 1-2 Tbsp coconut sugar
  • 1 14-ounce can full-fat coconut milk (sub light coconut milk for less fat)
FOR SERVING optional
  • White or brown rice (or cauliflower rice or roasted sweet potatoes)
  • fresh cilantro, chopped
  • fresh jalapeno (omit for less heat)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once hot, add oil, onion, cumin, and one-third of the salt (1/3 tsp as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size). Sauté for 2-3 minutes.
  2. Add garlic, ginger, bell pepper, and green chili and stir. Sauté for 2-3 minutes.
  3. Next add chicken breast (or omit if not adding — you’ll double up on chickpeas later), ground coriander, chili flake, turmeric, and paprika and stir to coat. Add another one-third of the salt (1/3 tsp as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size). Sauté for 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
  4. Next add diced tomatoes (optional: purée one of the cans of tomatoes in a small blender before adding for a creamier sauce). Then add chickpeas, garam masala, coconut sugar, and remaining salt (1/3 tsp as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size).
  5. Increase heat to medium high until it reaches a rolling simmer, then reduce heat to low or medium-low and maintain a simmer (uncovered) for 15-20 minutes or until thick and stew-like. Stir occasionally.
  6. Add coconut milk and stir to combine. Simmer for 5 minutes on medium-low heat. Then taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt to taste, chili flake (or a pinch of cayenne) for heat, coconut sugar for sweetness, cumin or paprika for smokiness, or garam masala for a more spiced / earthy flavor.
  7. Garnish with fresh cilantro and jalapeños for added heat (optional). Can be enjoyed as a stew, or with white or brown rice or cauliflower rice. Another favorite is serving over roasted sweet potatoes.
  8. Leftovers will keep covered in the refrigerator up to 4-5 days, or in the freezer up to 1 month.

Notes

  • *DIY Garam Masala (amounts as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size): 2 small dried red chilies, 1 tsp black peppercorns (or 1/2 tsp ground black pepper), 1 tsp cumin seeds (or 1/2 tsp ground cumin), 1 tsp cardamom pods (or 1/2 tsp ground cardamom), 1/2 tsp whole cloves (or 1/4 tsp ground cloves), and 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg. Add to a mortar and pestle or spice grinder and grind/mix into a powder. *Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with the lesser amount of coconut sugar and without optional ingredients.*Loosely adapted from our Easy Chana Masala.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1servings Calories 334 (17%) Carbohydrates 24.7g (8%) Protein 11.4g (23%) Fat 20.9g (32%) Saturated Fat 11.9g (60%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1.58g Monounsaturated Fat 5.6g Trans Fat 0.02g Cholesterol 17mg (6%) Sodium 823mg (34%) Potassium 309mg (9%) Fiber 5.1g (20%) Sugar 10.6g (21%) Vitamin A 1347IU (27%) Vitamin C 51.72mg (57%) Calcium 73.98mg (7%) Iron 3.2mg (18%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6(Servings)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 334

% Daily Value*

Serving 1servings
Calories 334 17%
Carbohydrates 24.7g 8%
Protein 11.4g 23%
Fat 20.9g 32%
Saturated Fat 11.9g 60%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.58g 9%
Monounsaturated Fat 5.6g 28%
Trans Fat 0.02g 1%
Cholesterol 17mg 6%
Sodium 823mg 34%
Potassium 309mg 7%
Fiber 5.1g 20%
Sugar 10.6g 21%
Vitamin A 1347IU 27%
Vitamin C 51.72mg 57%
Calcium 73.98mg 7%
Iron 3.2mg 18%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.