Description
This Chicken Tikka Masala is a rich and creamy curry made with tender marinated chicken simmered in a spiced tomato-cream sauce, perfect for restaurant-quality meals at home.
Ingredients
1½ lb (700 g) boneless chicken (thighs or breasts), diced
½ cup (120 ml) Greek yogurt (hung curd)
½–1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder
1 tsp garam masala
¼ tsp turmeric
1 tsp coriander powder
½ tsp cumin powder
½ tsp salt
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp kasuri methi
1 Tbsp ginger‑garlic paste
1 Tbsp oil (mustard oil if available)
3 Tbsp oil or ghee
1½ cups (150 g) onions, finely chopped
1 green chili (optional)
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp ginger‑garlic paste
½–1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder
2 tsp garam masala
1 Tbsp coriander powder
1–1½ tsp cumin powder
1 to 2 tsp sugar
1.1 lb (500 g) tomatoes (pureed or chopped) or 1¼ cup (10 oz) tomato puree/passata
1 cup hot water (2 cups if using cashew cream)
1 Tbsp kasuri methi
½ cup heavy cream or cashew cream
3 Tbsp heavy cream (for garnish)
3 Tbsp chopped coriander leaves
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken by mixing it with yogurt, spices, lemon juice, ginger‑garlic paste, oil, and kasuri methi. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, preferably 8–48 hours.
- Heat oil or ghee in a pan. Sauté onions until golden brown.
- Add green chili (if using), ginger‑garlic paste, and spices. Stir briefly.
- Add tomato puree and cook until thickened.
- Pour in hot water and simmer for 10–12 minutes until fragrant and thick.
- Cook the marinated chicken using your preferred method (oven, air fryer, or skillet) until nearly cooked through.
- Add cream or cashew cream and sugar to the sauce. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Add the cooked chicken and kasuri methi to the sauce. Simmer for another 2–3 minutes until the chicken is tender and coated.
- Garnish with additional cream and chopped coriander leaves before serving.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for maximum flavor and tenderness.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier results.
- To reduce spiciness, skip green chili and reduce chili powder.
- Cashew cream makes a great dairy-free substitute for heavy cream.
- Can be made ahead and is freezer-friendly for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg