Chicken Tikka Masala

Name: Chicken Tikka Masala
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: North Indian / Mughlai
Ingredients: 600 g boneless chicken breast or thigh (cut into 1.5-inch chunks); 100 g thick yogurt (whisked); 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste (fresh); 1 tbsp Kashmiri red chilli powder (ruby color); 1 tsp garam masala (ground); 1 tbsp lemon juice (fresh); 2 tbsp butter (divided); 1 tbsp oil (cooking); 2 medium onions (finely chopped); 1 medium green bell pepper (diced into 1-inch squares); 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste (fresh); 400 g crushed canned tomatoes or puree (rich tomato base); 1 tbsp coriander powder (ground); 1 tsp cumin powder (roasted); 1 tsp kasuri methi (crushed); 60 ml heavy cream (for finish); 1 tsp salt (to taste)

4.9 (1,720 ratings)

• Cuisine: North Indian / Mughlai

Char-grilled boneless marinated chicken tikka pieces folded into a rich, robustly spiced, creamy tomato and onion sauce with roasted capsicum.

⏱️ Prep Time 25 min

🍳 Cook Time 30 min

⌛ Total Time 55 min

🍽️ Base Servings 4

👨‍🍳 Difficulty Medium

🌶️ Spice Level Medium

🥕

Ingredients

Servings:

For Chicken Tikka

600 g boneless chicken breast or thigh— cut into 1.5-inch chunks
100 g thick yogurt— whisked
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste— fresh
1 tbsp Kashmiri red chilli powder— ruby color
1 tsp garam masala— ground
1 tbsp lemon juice— fresh

For the Masala Gravy

2 tbsp butter— divided
1 tbsp oil— cooking
2 medium onions— finely chopped
1 medium green bell pepper— diced into 1-inch squares
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste— fresh
400 g crushed canned tomatoes or puree— rich tomato base
1 tbsp coriander powder— ground
1 tsp cumin powder— roasted
1 tsp kasuri methi— crushed
60 ml heavy cream— for finish
1 tsp salt— to taste

For Chicken Tikka

• 600 g boneless chicken breast or thigh — cut into 1.5-inch chunks
• 100 g thick yogurt — whisked
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste — fresh
• 1 tbsp Kashmiri red chilli powder — ruby color
• 1 tsp garam masala — ground
• 1 tbsp lemon juice — fresh

For the Masala Gravy

• 2 tbsp butter — divided
• 1 tbsp oil — cooking
• 2 medium onions — finely chopped
• 1 medium green bell pepper — diced into 1-inch squares
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste — fresh
• 400 g crushed canned tomatoes or puree — rich tomato base
• 1 tbsp coriander powder — ground
• 1 tsp cumin powder — roasted
• 1 tsp kasuri methi — crushed
• 60 ml heavy cream — for finish
• 1 tsp salt — to taste

🔥

Cooking Instructions

01

Marinate & Grill Chicken Tikka
⏱️ 12m

Toss chicken with yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, Kashmiri chilli, garam masala, lemon juice, and 1/2 tsp salt. Marinate 30 mins. Sear in a hot grill pan with 1 tbsp oil for 4-5 mins each side until charred. Set aside.

✓ Visual Cue: Smoky charred exterior on chicken chunks
02

Sauté Base Masala
⏱️ 8m

In a wide pan, melt 1 tbsp butter with 1 tsp oil. Add chopped onions and cook until golden brown. Stir in ginger-garlic paste and sauté for 1 minute.

✓ Visual Cue: Onions become sweet, deep golden and fragrant
03

Simmer Rich Tomato Sauce
⏱️ 10m

Add pureed tomatoes, coriander powder, cumin powder, and 1/2 tsp salt. Simmer on medium heat for 8-10 minutes until thick and glossy with oil separating at edges.

✓ Visual Cue: Sauce thickens into a rich, deep red blanket
04

Fold in Tikka and Capsicum
⏱️ 6m

Add diced green bell pepper and the grilled chicken tikka along with any pan juices. Simmer for 5-6 minutes so flavors meld together.

✓ Visual Cue: Peppers turn tender-crisp while chicken absorbs spicy tomato sauce
05

Finish with Cream and Kasuri Methi
⏱️ 2m

Stir in remaining 1 tbsp butter, crushed kasuri methi, and fresh cream. Simmer for 2 minutes and turn off flame.

✓ Visual Cue: Lush orange-red gravy enveloping tender chicken

💡

Chef's Authentic Tips

Charring chicken before adding to gravy brings a critical smoky contrast to the creamy spiced sauce.
Adding diced bell peppers at the end maintains a juicy bite.

🔄

Smart Substitutions

Use grilled paneer cubes to make Paneer Tikka Masala.

🍽️

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

✓ Serve hot with buttery garlic naan, tandoori roti, or jeera rice.

📊

Estimated Nutrition

Per Serving

Calories 440

Protein 38g

Carbs 15g

Fat 26g

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