Chicken Tikka Masala (Printable Version)

Tender chicken in a velvety spiced tomato cream sauce, infused with traditional aromatics.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken Marinade

01 - 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
03 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
04 - 2 tsp ground cumin
05 - 2 tsp ground coriander
06 - 1 ½ tsp garam masala
07 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1 tsp ground turmeric
09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated

→ Sauce

12 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
13 - 1 tbsp vegetable oil
14 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
15 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
16 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
17 - 1 tbsp ground cumin
18 - 1 tbsp garam masala
19 - 2 tsp ground paprika
20 - 1 tsp ground coriander
21 - 1 tsp chili powder
22 - 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
23 - 1 cup heavy cream
24 - 1 tsp sugar
25 - Salt and pepper, to taste
26 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

# How to Make It:

01 - Combine yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, garam masala, paprika, turmeric, salt, garlic, and ginger in a large bowl. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2–4 hours for optimal flavor penetration.
02 - Preheat oven broiler to high setting. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Arrange marinated chicken pieces in a single layer on the rack. Broil for 5–7 minutes per side until lightly charred and almost cooked through. Alternative methods include grilling or pan-searing.
03 - Heat butter and oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and sauté until golden brown, approximately 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and grated ginger; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in cumin, garam masala, paprika, coriander, and chili powder. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until spices become fragrant and bloom in the hot oil.
05 - Pour in tomato sauce and add sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Stir in heavy cream and continue simmering for an additional 5 minutes until sauce thickens to a velvety consistency and colors deepen.
07 - Add broiled chicken to the sauce and simmer for 7–10 minutes until chicken is tender and fully cooked through. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Incredibly Flavorful: A yogurt-based marinade and a blend of classic Indian spices create deep, complex flavors.
  • Creamy & Comforting: The rich tomato and cream sauce is velvety, satisfying, and simply irresistible.
  • Restaurant-Style at Home: Achieve the authentic taste you love from your favorite Indian restaurant with easy-to-follow steps.
  • Versatile & Crowd-Pleasing: Perfect for a family dinner or impressing guests, this dish is a guaranteed hit.
02 -
  • Marinate for Flavor: For the most tender and flavorful chicken, marinate it overnight in the refrigerator. A longer marinade time allows the spices and yogurt to deeply penetrate the meat.
  • Don't Crowd the Pan: When broiling the chicken, arrange the pieces in a single layer without them touching. This ensures they char nicely instead of steaming.
  • Bloom the Spices: Toasting the ground spices in the skillet for 30 seconds before adding the tomato sauce is a crucial step. It 'blooms' them, releasing their essential oils and maximizing their aroma and flavor.
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