Easy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

Chicken Tikka Masala can be made at home and makes for delicious leftovers, if you even end up having any. Packed with so much flavor this recipe will definitely remind you of some of the best Chicken Tikka Masala dishes that you have tried at your favorite restaurant.

Chicken Tikka Masala

This Tikka Masala is very tasty, super easy to make at home. It’s close enough to the real deal that it’ll have you want to stay in and make your own, from time to time. Warm and comforting, thick and saucy, tons of spices and flavor and tender bites of chicken. For a dish with such a complex flavors, chicken tikka masala is surprisingly easy to make. Most of the ingredients are pantry and fridge staples, with the exception of garam masala.

Interesting Story

British aristocrat was served Chicken Tikka (chicken on skewers char grilled in a tandoor) and sent it back to the kitchen, complaining it was dry. In response to which the enterprising chef added a curry sauce and sent it back out again where it was well received. And thus, one of the most popular curries in the world was born. And even though it’s not a traditional Indian dish, the roots of it certainly are.

The only spice that might be more difficult to find is the Garam Masala. It should be readily available in most grocery stores these days. But if this is a last minute recipe choice you can always substitute it for curry powder or make your own Garam Masala spice mix with 1 part cumin and 1/4 part allspice.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

Ingredients:

Marinate the Chicken:

  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh ginger minced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp coriander
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 cup natural yogurt, use full fat coconut milk for dairy free

For the Sauce:

  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup onion, finely sliced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
  • 4 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 tbsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp chilli powder
  • 1/2 cup yogurt
  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup gluten free chicken broth
  • ¼ tsp garam masala
  • 1/3 cup cilantro leaves, to garnish

Preparation:

Cut the chicken into 1 inch sized chunks and place in a bowl or zip lock bag for marinating. Add the salt and lemon juice and let the chicken sit in that for 30 minutes in the fridge. Finely chop or puree the fresh ginger and garlic together in a blender. Add the yogurt and spices to the garlic ginger mixture and then add it to the chicken pieces, mix well to combine. Marinade for 6 hours or overnight.

Cook Chicken Tikka under broiler. Either use a rack over a half sheet pan and place the chicken pieces on the rack, or thread them onto skewers and balance over a small sheet pan. Broil the marinated chicken pieces about 5 inches from the heat for 4-5 minutes per side, turning as needed for about 10-12 minutes total or until chicken is cooked all the way through.

Tikka Masala Sauce

Add olive oil into a large pan over a medium-high heat. Then add the onions to the hot oil. Gently fry until they are a little brown which will take about for 6-7 minutes. Now add the ginger and garlic and continue to fry, stirring for just a minute. Combine the ground coriander, turmeric, chili powder and paprika to the onion. Mix for 10 seconds, then add a tablespoon of yogurt. Stir and cook for a minute or two, then add the remaining yogurt in this way, a tablespoon at a time.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Add the crushed tomatoes and cook on a medium low heat for 5 minutes. Add the gluten free chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, and simmer gently for 10-15 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Stir in the garam masala, taste and add more salt if you need it. Shortly before you are ready eat, preheat the grill or broiler. When the chicken is cooked, rewarm the sauce and stir in the chicken. Top with lots of cilantro. Serve chicken and sauce over rice, cauliflower rice, or with side of your choosing.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Nutrition Facts:

Amount Per Serving

  • Calories 287
  • Calories from Fat 144
  • Total Fat 16 g
  • Saturated Fat 3 g
  • Cholesterol 77 mg
  • Total Carbohydrates 7 g
  • Dietary Fiber 1 g
  • Sugars 3 g
  • Protein 26 g
  • Sodium 694 mg
  • Potassium 675 mg
  • Net Carbs around 6 g, per serving

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