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Chicken Tikka Masala over rice in a bowl garnished with cilantro. Naan bread, rice and raita sauce on the side.
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4.96 from 50 votes

Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe (Better Than Takeout)

This Chicken Tikka Masala is one of our favorite Indian dishes of all time. Tender chicken in a creamy tomato sauce is so easy to make at home. A must try!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Marinating time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 45 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: Chicken Tikka Masala
Servings: 6
Calories: 264kcal
Author: Emily Walker

Ingredients

Marinade:

  • 1 cup yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces
  • 5 wooden skewers

Sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 8 ounces tomato sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Optional Sides:

  • 6 pieces naan bread
  • 3 cups jasmine rice cooked
  • 1 cup raita (raita recipe)

Instructions

For the Marinade

  • In a large bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, cinnamon, garam masala, cayenne, pepper, ginger, and salt. Stir in chicken, cover, refrigerate 1 hour. 
    Glass bowl with chicken pieces marinating in yogurt, lemon, cumin, garam masala, and other spices
  • Preheat a grill for high heat. Lightly oil the grill grate. Thread chicken onto skewers and discard marinade.
    Plate with skewered pieces of marinated chicken.
  • Grill chicken skewers 5 minutes on each side.
    Chicken pieces on wooden skewers grilling over high heat to make chicken tikka masala

For the Sauce

  • Melt butter in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium heat. Saute garlic for 1 minute. 
    Skillet with melted butter and garlic. Wooden spoon on the side.
  • Season with cumin, paprika, garam masala, chili powder, and salt. Stir in tomato sauce and cream. Simmer on medium low heat until sauce thickens, about 20 minutes.
    Skillet with chicken tikka masala sauce and wooden spoon on the side.
  • Add grilled chicken to the sauce, and simmer for 5 more minutes.
    Chicken Tikka Masala in skillet garnished with cilantro. Wooden spoon on side.
  • Sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve with rice, naan bread, and raita.
    Chicken Tikka Masala over rice in a bowl garnished with cilantro. Naan bread, rice and raita sauce on the side.

Video

Notes

  • For a more authentic taste, use a can of full fat coconut milk instead of heavy cream. 
  • Chicken thighs can be used in place of chicken breasts.
  • You can broil the chicken skewers in the oven, instead of grilling. Place the skewers on a pan lined with foil and broil at 390°F for 20 minutes.
  • This can be prepared and frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Nutrition

Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 101mg | Sodium: 1093mg | Potassium: 469mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1335IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 101mg | Iron: 1.7mg