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Flavorful Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe Easy Creamy Spiced Sauce at Home

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A quick and easy chicken tikka masala recipe with a creamy spiced sauce that is rich, satisfying, and perfect for weeknight dinners. This recipe uses simple pantry staples and delivers restaurant-quality flavor at home.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • ¾ cup plain yogurt, preferably full-fat
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 2 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-inch piece ginger, grated
  • Salt, to taste
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil or ghee
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 tsp ground coriander
  • 2 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp chili powder (adjust to heat preference)
  • 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream (for dairy-free)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Combine chicken pieces with yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, garam masala, cumin, paprika, and salt in a large bowl. Mix well to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
  2. Heat oil or ghee in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté for 5-7 minutes until golden and soft. Stir in garlic and ginger; cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Add coriander, garam masala, turmeric, and chili powder. Toast spices by stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes until aromatic.
  4. Pour in crushed tomatoes, stir well, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10-15 minutes until sauce thickens.
  5. Preheat another pan or use the same pan if large enough. Shake off excess marinade and sear chicken pieces over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side until browned but not fully cooked.
  6. Transfer browned chicken into simmering sauce. Stir gently to coat. Cover and cook on low for 10-12 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender.
  7. Stir in heavy cream or coconut cream, cook uncovered on low heat for 3-5 minutes. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Sauce should be silky and luscious.
  8. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro. Serve hot with basmati rice or warm naan bread.

Notes

Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes for tenderness and flavor. Toast spices gently to avoid bitterness. Use chicken thighs for juicier meat. Adjust chili powder to taste. For gluten-free, verify spice labels and use coconut cream. Sauce thickness can be adjusted with water or stock. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3 days or frozen for 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken tikka masala, creamy sauce, Indian recipe, easy dinner, weeknight meal, spiced chicken, garam masala, homemade tikka masala

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/flavorful-chicken-tikka-masala-recipe-easy-creamy-spiced-sauce-at-home/