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Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala

60 min Medium 4 servings

Serves 4 · Total 60 min · Prep 30 min · Cook 30 min

Photo: Michael Hays / CC BY 4.0

Smoky grilled chicken tikka pieces folded into a spiced, tangy tomato-cream gravy — bolder and spicier than butter chicken. Loved across South Asian restaurants worldwide, it pairs perfectly with naan or basmati rice.

Quick answer: 60 min in total · serves 4 · main ingredients: Boneless chicken, Yogurt, Red chilli powder, Garam masala · amounts in metric and US

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Ingredients

  • 600 g 1.3 lb Boneless chicken, cubed
  • 100 g 0.4 cup Yogurt, for marinade
  • 1.5 tsp 1.5 tsp Red chilli powder
  • 1.5 tsp 1.5 tsp Garam masala
  • 1 tbsp 1 tbsp Ginger, paste
  • 1 tbsp 1 tbsp Garlic, paste
  • 2 tbsp 2 tbsp Cooking oil
  • 1 pc 1 pc Onion, finely chopped
  • 4 pc 4 pc Tomato, pureed
  • 100 ml 0.4 cup Cream
  • 1.5 tsp 1.5 tsp Salt, to taste
  • 1 pc 1 pc Bell pepper, diced (Optional)
  • 2 tbsp 2 tbsp Coriander, chopped, for garnish (Optional)

Steps

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  1. Mix the chicken with the yogurt, chilli powder, half of the garam masala, ginger, garlic and a little of the salt. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or overnight for the best flavour.
    ⏱ Marinating · 120 min
  2. Thread the chicken onto skewers or spread it on a tray and grill or broil on high heat (or sear in a very hot pan in batches), turning once, until charred in spots and cooked through (74 °C / 165 °F), about 12 minutes. Set aside with any juices.
    ⏱ Grilling tikka · 12 min
  3. Heat the oil in a wide pan over medium heat and fry the chopped onion for about 5 minutes, stirring, until soft and golden at the edges.
    ⏱ Frying onion · 5 min
  4. Add the tomato puree (the 4 tomatoes blended smooth) and the remaining garam masala; cook on medium heat, stirring now and then, for about 8 minutes until the sauce is thick, darker in colour and oil separates at the edges.
    ⏱ Cooking masala · 8 min
  5. Add the diced bell pepper and cook for 2 minutes until just softened but still bright; add a splash of water if the sauce is too thick.
    ⏱ Softening pepper · 2 min
  6. Return the chicken with its juices and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes, so the sauce coats the pieces without drying them out.
    ⏱ Simmering · 5 min
  7. Take the pan off the heat, stir in the cream and salt, taste and adjust, then garnish with coriander and serve hot with naan or rice.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Chicken Tikka Masala take?

60 minutes in total: about 30 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking.

Is Chicken Tikka Masala hard to make?

Degchi rates it medium. The method has 7 steps, and 6 of them have a timer you can start on this page.

How many people does Chicken Tikka Masala serve?

This recipe serves 4. Use the toggle above the ingredient list to see the amounts in metric or US measures. For more or fewer portions, scale every amount in the same proportion, or use the servings control in the Degchi app.

Is Chicken Tikka Masala halal, vegetarian or eggless?

It is marked halal in our recipe data. It is not vegetarian. It has no egg. It has no beef. Check the labels on any packaged ingredients for your own needs.

What will I probably need to buy for Chicken Tikka Masala?

Everyday staples that Degchi counts as pantry basics: red chilli powder, cooking oil, salt. Spice-box items: garam masala. Fresh items you will probably need to buy: boneless chicken, yogurt, ginger, garlic, onion, tomato, cream.

Any tips for making Chicken Tikka Masala?

Searing the chicken separately before adding it to the gravy keeps the smoky char flavour distinct. Without cream: stir in the same amount of whole milk or thick coconut milk off the heat. The sauce is a little lighter but still rich, because the tomato and onion carry it.

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Cooking terms in this recipe: Masala

More with yogurt More with tomatoes More with onions