Creamy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

Introduction

Chicken Tikka Masala is a beloved Indian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a creamy, spiced tomato sauce. This recipe combines tangy yogurt marinade and fragrant spices to create a flavorful meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 7-ounce container plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 15-ounce can tomato sauce
• 1.5 cups heavy whipping cream
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 teaspoons garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon table salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon garam masala, lemon juice, black pepper, and ground ginger. Pat the chicken dry and cut into bite-sized chunks. Add the chicken to the marinade, stirring until all pieces are coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to develop.
2. Step 2: Heat a nonstick pan over high heat without oil. Add half of the marinated chicken chunks along with any sticking marinade, spreading them out evenly. Cook until golden brown and slightly charred on all sides, stirring occasionally. Remove to a plate and repeat with the remaining chicken.
3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium and add the tomato sauce, heavy cream, minced garlic, 4 teaspoons garam masala, paprika, salt, and cayenne to the empty pan. Stir for a minute until blended. Add the seared chicken pieces to the sauce, submerging them without stirring. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally and adjusting heat to maintain a gentle simmer. The sauce should thicken and turn a rich orange color. Turn off the heat and serve hot.

Tips & Variations

• For extra depth, marinate the chicken overnight.
• Use bone-in chicken for a richer flavor but adjust cooking time accordingly.
• Serve with basmati rice or warm naan bread to soak up the sauce.
• Adjust cayenne pepper to suit your preferred spice level.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream or water if the sauce thickens too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, substitute the Greek yogurt and heavy cream with coconut yogurt and coconut milk for a dairy-free version.

What can I use if I don’t have garam masala?

You can substitute with a mix of ground cumin, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves to mimic the flavor of garam masala.

Creamy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 72 reviews

This Chicken Tikka Masala recipe is a flavorful and creamy Indian-inspired dish featuring tender, marinated chicken chunks seared to a perfect char and simmered in a rich spiced tomato cream sauce. Ideal for a comforting dinner, it balances the aromatic spices of garam masala, garlic, and paprika with the smoothness of heavy cream and yogurt.

• Author: Amy
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Indian
• Diet: Halal

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Marinade Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 7-ounce container plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Sauce Ingredients

• 15-ounce can tomato sauce
• 1.5 cups heavy whipping cream
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 teaspoons garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon table salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

Instructions

1. Marinate Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon garam masala, fresh lemon juice, ground black pepper, and ground ginger. Pat the chicken breasts dry and cut into bite-sized chunks about 1/2 to 1 inch. Stir the chicken into the marinade ensuring all pieces are well-coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to infuse.
2. Sear Chicken: Heat a nonstick pan over high heat without adding oil. Add half of the marinated chicken chunks along with any marinade clinging to them, spreading them evenly in the pan. Cook for several minutes, stirring and flipping occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and slightly charred on all sides. Transfer the cooked chicken to a large plate. Repeat the process with the remaining chicken pieces.
3. Simmer Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Pour the tomato sauce, heavy cream, minced garlic, 4 teaspoons garam masala, paprika, salt, and cayenne pepper into the now-empty pan. Stir the sauce mixture for about a minute to blend the spices. Add the seared chicken chunks to the sauce, submerging them without stirring. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes, adjusting the heat to maintain a light simmer. The chicken should be fully cooked, and the sauce thickened and slightly orange in color. Once done, turn off the heat and serve immediately.

Notes

• The marinade can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance for deeper flavor.
• Using boneless skinless chicken breasts ensures quick cooking and tender meat.
• No oil is needed to sear the chicken as the marinade contains yogurt which helps in browning.
• Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control the heat level of the dish.
• Serve the Chicken Tikka Masala with basmati rice or warm naan bread for a complete meal.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a coconut cream alternative.

Keywords: Chicken Tikka Masala, Indian chicken recipe, creamy tomato chicken, garam masala chicken, stovetop chicken curry