Description
Chicken Tikka Masala brings the warm, spicy flavors of Indian cuisine straight to your dinner table with a creamy tomato sauce that hugs tender marinated chicken. Packed with aromatic spices and served over fluffy rice, this classic dish delivers comfort and excitement in each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 34 chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 680 grams)
Main Components:
- 1 cup plain full-fat yogurt
- 1 can (14 ounces / 400 grams) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (grated)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons coriander
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Blend 1 cup yogurt, 1 tbsp ginger, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander, and salt with 34 chicken breast pieces. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours, allowing flavors to deeply penetrate your meat.
- Heat a large skillet to medium-high, adding 2 tablespoons of neutral oil. Sauté your chopped onions for 5-6 minutes until they turn golden and release a sweet aroma.
- Sprinkle 2 teaspoons garam masala into the skillet, stirring for 45-60 seconds to activate the spices’ complex fragrance.
- Pour 14 ounces crushed tomatoes and 1 cup coconut milk into the skillet. Reduce heat to low, simmering your sauce for 12-15 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Transfer marinated chicken pieces directly into the bubbling sauce. Cook uncovered at 375°F for 18-22 minutes, ensuring your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves. Serve hot alongside rice or naan bread.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for the deepest flavor by letting it sit in yogurt and spices overnight in the refrigerator.
- Choose full-fat yogurt for a richer, creamier sauce that helps tenderize the chicken more effectively.
- For a lighter version, swap regular coconut milk with light coconut milk or use Greek yogurt instead of cream.
- To make the dish gluten-free, ensure your garam masala blend is certified gluten-free and check all spice labels carefully.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 35-42 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 217
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg