Easy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

If you love rich, creamy, and slightly spicy curry, Chicken Tikka Masala is a must-try! This popular Indian-inspired dish features tender marinated chicken grilled to perfection and simmered in a flavorful tomato cream sauce. The good news? You can easily make it at home with simple ingredients. Serve it over fluffy rice or with warm naan bread for a comforting meal that tastes like it came straight from your favorite restaurant.

Easy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

Ingredients

For the Chicken Marinade

• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

For the Sauce

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 jalapeño pepper, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 cup heavy cream

For Serving

• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• Cooked white rice or naan bread

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix together the yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, black pepper, ginger, and salt. Add the chicken pieces and stir until well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for about 1 hour so the chicken can soak up all those delicious spices.
2. Preheat your grill to high heat and lightly oil the grates. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers and discard the remaining marinade. Grill the chicken for about 5 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and the juices run clear.
3. While the chicken cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped jalapeño, and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Sprinkle in the paprika, remaining cumin, and salt. Stir well, then pour in the tomato sauce and heavy cream. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens.
5. Add the grilled chicken pieces to the skillet with the sauce. Let everything simmer together for 10 minutes, allowing the chicken to soak up the creamy, spiced flavor.
6. Transfer the Chicken Tikka Masala to a serving dish and sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve hot over steamed rice or alongside warm naan bread.

Share this post