Description
Creamy, bold, and flavor-packed chicken tikka masala made with yogurt-marinated chicken and a tomato-cream sauce. The perfect comfort dinner.
Ingredients
1 cup plain yogurt or Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 & 1/2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon garam masala
1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
2 teaspoons finely minced garlic
1 & 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into small bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 large sweet onion, finely diced
2 teaspoons grated ginger
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garam masala
8 ounce can tomato sauce (unseasoned)
1 & 1/4 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup water (only if needed)
Chopped cilantro (for garnish)
Naan bread
Cooked basmati rice
Instructions
In a bowl, whisk together all marinade ingredients; add chicken and coat. Let marinate for 1 hour or overnight.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in batches. Sear without moving for 1 minute, then sauté until browned (5 more mins). Set aside.
In the same pan, melt butter. Sauté onions for 3 minutes, scraping the bottom. Add garlic and ginger; sauté for 30 seconds.
Add brown sugar, coriander, cumin, paprika, garam masala, and salt. Stir for 15 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in tomato sauce; simmer 3–5 minutes until sauce thickens and darkens.
Stir in heavy cream and blend well.
Add chicken and juices back into pan; simmer 8–10 minutes until fully cooked and bubbling.
Thin with water only if needed. Serve hot with rice, naan, and cilantro.
Notes
Use chicken thighs for a juicier version if preferred.
Greek yogurt adds creaminess, but plain yogurt works well too.
Adjust spice by adding chili flakes or cayenne.
- Prep Time: 15min
- Cook Time: 30min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 110mg