Description
Chicken Tikka Masala is a beloved Indian dish that captures the essence of culinary delight with its tender marinated chicken and rich, creamy tomato sauce. This easy recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings, delivering an explosion of flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds. Serve it over fluffy basmati rice or with warm naan to create a comforting meal that warms both the heart and the palate.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp turmeric
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
- Optional: chili powder or garam masala for spice
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, combine yogurt, garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Add chicken pieces and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions until golden brown.
- Spice it up: Add more garlic and ginger along with chili powder or garam masala; stir for two minutes until fragrant.
- Cook the chicken: Add marinated chicken to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides (6 to 8 minutes).
- Create the sauce: Stir in crushed tomatoes and coconut milk; scrape any bits from the pan.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low and simmer for about twenty minutes to meld flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: Customize spiciness by adjusting chili powder. Swap chicken for paneer or vegetables for a vegetarian version. Serve with basmati rice or naan for a complete meal.