- Marinating the Chicken
Combine yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, garam masala, paprika, turmeric, and salt. Add chicken cubes and coat thoroughly. Marinate for at least 30 minutes to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Cooking the Chicken
Heat a pan or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add a little oil and cook the marinated chicken until lightly charred and cooked through. Set aside.
- Starting the Masala Base In
a clean pan, melt butter or heat oil. Add chopped onions and sauté until soft and golden. Add garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant.
- Adding the Spices
Stir in garam masala, cumin, paprika, and chili powder. Toast the spices for 30 seconds to release their oils and deepen flavor.
- Adding Tomato Puree
Pour in the tomato puree and cook for 5-7 minutes until it thickens and darkens slightly. This step removes raw tomato flavor.
- Adding Cream & Water Lower
the heat and stir in the heavy cream and water. Mix until the sauce becomes smooth, silky, and orange-red in color.
- Combining Chicken & Sauce
Add the cooked chicken pieces to the sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the chicken to absorb the masala.
- Final Seasoning
Taste and adjust salt, spice, or sweetness. Add a pinch of sugar if the tomatoes are too acidic.
- Serving Serve hot, garnished with
fresh cilantro. Pair with basmati rice or warm naan.
- Calories:822 kcal%41%
- Protein:12.4 g%24%
- Carbohydrates:15.2 g%5%
- Fat:80.3 g%99%
- Sugar:10.7 g%10%
- Salt:1.3 g%19%
- Energy:3439 kJ%57%
Chicken Tikka Masala is a rich, aromatic dish featuring marinated chicken pieces cooked until lightly charred, then simmered in a creamy tomato-based sauce infused with warm spices. The balance of smoky chicken, tangy tomatoes, and silky cream creates a comforting, restaurant-quality curry perfect for serving with rice or naan.
