Chicken Tikka Masala
Juicy pieces of marinated chicken in a rich tomato-cream sauce with garam masala — one of the best-loved dishes of Indian cuisine.
Chicken tikka masala is arguably the most popular Indian dish outside India. The chicken is first marinated in spiced yogurt (tikka), seared until golden, then simmered in a velvety sauce of tomatoes, cream and the fragrant spice blend garam masala. The result is moderately spicy, creamy and very satisfying — perfect with basmati rice or warm naan to mop up every last drop of sauce.
🧺 Ingredients
🍽 4 servings👩🍳 Method
- 1
Marinate
Cut the chicken into pieces, mix with yogurt, half the garlic and ginger, 1 tsp garam masala, turmeric and salt. Marinate at least 30 minutes.
- 2
Sear
Sear the chicken pieces over high heat until golden and set aside — they finish cooking in the sauce.
- 3
Sauce base
In the same pan, fry the finely chopped onion, remaining garlic and ginger until soft, add paprika and the second spoon of garam masala.
- 4
Tomatoes
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, season and simmer 10 minutes until the sauce thickens and darkens.
- 5
Simmer
Add the cream and seared chicken, simmer another 10 minutes until the chicken is tender and the sauce is velvety.
- 6
Serve
Serve hot with basmati rice or naan, sprinkled with fresh cilantro.
💡 Tips
- 💡
Do not skip searing the chicken before the sauce: the golden crust gives the dish depth.
- 💡
The longer the chicken marinates (overnight is best), the more tender it becomes.
🔄 Swaps & variations
- 🔄
Vegetarian version: swap the chicken for seared paneer or chickpeas.
- 🔄
For heat, add fresh chili or a pinch of cayenne to the sauce.
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❓ Frequently asked questions
How is tikka masala different from curry?
Curry is a general term for spiced-sauce dishes, while tikka masala is a specific recipe: marinated, seared chicken (tikka) in a tomato-cream sauce. It is one of the most famous types of curry.
Where do I get garam masala?
Garam masala is sold in supermarket spice aisles and Indian grocery stores. You can also blend your own from coriander, cumin, cardamom, clove and cinnamon.
Can I make it lighter?
Yes, swap the cream for yogurt or coconut milk and use chicken breast instead of thighs — the sauce stays creamy but lighter.
