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Chicken Tikka Masala

Name: Chicken Tikka Masala
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 5-6
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 28 oz (800g) boneless and skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces; 1 cup plain yogurt; 1 1/2 tbsp minced garlic; 1 tbsp ginger; 2 tsp garam masala; 1 tsp turmeric; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp Kashmiri chili (or 1/2 tsp ground red chili powder); 1 tsp salt; 2 tbsp vegetable or canola oil; 2 tbsp butter; 2 small onions (or 1 large onion), finely diced; 1 1/2 tbsp garlic, finely grated; 1 tbsp ginger, finely grated; 1 1/2 tsp garam masala; 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp turmeric powder; 1 tsp ground coriander; 14 oz (400g) tomato puree (tomato sauce/passata); 1 tsp Kashmiri chili (optional, for color and flavor); 1 tsp ground red chili powder (adjust to taste); 1 tsp salt; 1 1/4 cups heavy cream (or evaporated milk for lower calories); 1 tsp brown sugar; 1/4 cup water, if needed; 4 tbsp fresh cilantro, for garnish

Tender chicken thighs marinated in yogurt and warm spices, then seared and simmered in a creamy tomato sauce that's bold yet balanced. The garam masala and ginger create that signature depth of flavor, while the Kashmiri chili adds gentle heat without overpowering. Perfect for a weeknight dinner that feels fancy enough for company.

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

30 minutes

Total

45 minutes

Serves

5-6

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Ingredients

Units

Instructions

1
In a bowl, combine chicken with all of the ingredients for the chicken marinade; let marinate for 10 minutes to an hour (or overnight if time allows).
2
Heat oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. When sizzling, add chicken pieces in batches of two or three, making sure not to crowd the pan. Fry until browned for only 3 minutes on each side. Set aside and keep warm. (You will finish cooking the chicken in the sauce.)
3
Melt the butter in the same pan. Fry the onions until soft (about 3 minutes) while scraping up any browned bits stuck on the bottom of the pan.
4
Add garlic and ginger and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, then add garam masala, cumin, turmeric, and coriander. Fry for about 20 seconds until fragrant, stirring occasionally.
5
Pour in the tomato puree, chili powders, and salt. Let simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens and becomes a deep brown-red color.
6
Stir the cream and sugar through the sauce. Add the chicken and its juices back into the pan and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thick and bubbling. Pour in the water to thin out the sauce if needed.
7
Garnish with cilantro and serve with hot garlic butter rice and fresh homemade naan bread.

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Chicken Tikka Masala

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

30 minutes

Total

45 minutes

Serves

5-6

Jump to recipe

Ingredients

Units

Instructions

1
In a bowl, combine chicken with all of the ingredients for the chicken marinade; let marinate for 10 minutes to an hour (or overnight if time allows).
2
Heat oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. When sizzling, add chicken pieces in batches of two or three, making sure not to crowd the pan. Fry until browned for only 3 minutes on each side. Set aside and keep warm. (You will finish cooking the chicken in the sauce.)
3
Melt the butter in the same pan. Fry the onions until soft (about 3 minutes) while scraping up any browned bits stuck on the bottom of the pan.
4
Add garlic and ginger and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, then add garam masala, cumin, turmeric, and coriander. Fry for about 20 seconds until fragrant, stirring occasionally.
5
Pour in the tomato puree, chili powders, and salt. Let simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens and becomes a deep brown-red color.
6
Stir the cream and sugar through the sauce. Add the chicken and its juices back into the pan and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thick and bubbling. Pour in the water to thin out the sauce if needed.
7
Garnish with cilantro and serve with hot garlic butter rice and fresh homemade naan bread.

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