Chicken Tikka Masala

Name: Chicken Tikka Masala
Cuisine: Asian, Indian
Ingredients: 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1½-inch pieces ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt 1 tbsp lemon juice 1 tbsp minced garlic 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger 2 tsp garam masala 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp paprika ½ tsp turmeric 1 tsp salt; 1 1/2 tsp Kashmiri chili powder; 2 tbsp butter or ghee 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger 2 tsp garam masala 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp paprika ½ tsp turmeric 1 1/2 cup crushed tomatoes 1 cup heavy cream 1 tsp sugar,; 1 medium onion, finely chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced

8 steps

Chicken tikka masala is a rich, creamy Indian-style dish made with pieces of chicken that are marinated in yogurt and spices, browned or charred, and then simmered in a tomato-based sauce. Tip: For a restaurant-style tikka masala, char the marinated chicken under the broiler or on a very hot grill before adding it to the sauce. That smoky, slightly blackened flavor makes a big difference.

Updated at: Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:50:38 GMT

Nutrition balance score

Unbalanced

Glycemic Index

Low

Glycemic Load

Low

Nutrition per serving

Calories444.5 kcal (22%)

Total Fat28.6 g (41%)

Carbs11 g (4%)

Sugars4.6 g (5%)

Protein36 g (72%)

Sodium575.2 mg (29%)

Fiber1.8 g (6%)

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Instructions

Step 1

Marinate the chicken: Mix the yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger and spices. Add chicken and coat thoroughly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 4–12 hours.

Step 2

Cook the chicken: Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add a little oil and cook the chicken in batches until browned and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes per side. Set aside. Alternately, grill the chicken with char marks. It doesn't have to be completely cooked at this stage if you'll finish it in the sauce.

Step 3

Start the sauce: Melt the butter or ghee in the same pan. Add onion and cook for 5–7 minutes, until softened and lightly browned.

Step 4

Add garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute.

Step 5

Add garam masala, cumin, coriander, paprika and turmeric. Stir for about 30 seconds to toast the spices.

Step 6

Add tomatoes: Pour in the crushed tomatoes. Simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.

Step 7

Add cream and chicken: Stir in the cream and sugar if using. Add the chicken and any accumulated juices. Simmer gently for another 8–10 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce is rich and creamy.

Step 8

Taste and adjust the salt and cayenne. Garnish with cilantro.