Chicken Tikka Masala (Printable)

Tender chicken in a rich, spiced tomato cream sauce with authentic Indian flavors.

# Ingredient List:

→ For the 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

→ For the 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 Steps:

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 position 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. A grill or hot skillet works as an alternative cooking method.
03 - Heat butter and vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 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 ground cumin, garam masala, paprika, coriander, and chili powder. Cook for 30 seconds until spices become fragrant, being careful not to burn them.
05 - Add tomato sauce and sugar to the skillet. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine. Continue simmering for 5 minutes until sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
07 - Add broiled chicken pieces to the sauce. Simmer for 7–10 minutes until chicken is tender and completely cooked through. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve immediately.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The creamy tomato sauce balances perfectly with tender spice infused chicken creating that restaurant quality taste you crave
  • It reheats beautifully and actually tastes better the next day as the spices deepen and meld
02 -
  • The broiling step is non negotiable because those charred edges add smoky depth you cannot get any other way
  • Letting the sauce simmer after adding cream is crucial for the right consistency
03 -
  • Pat the chicken dry before adding it to the marinade so the yogurt actually sticks to the meat
  • Use a splatter guard when broiling unless you enjoy cleaning your entire oven
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