Homemade Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup plain yogurt (for marination)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 can (14 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 teaspoon garam masala

Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, mix together yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, black pepper, ginger, and half the minced garlic to create the marinade. Add the chicken pieces and coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces and cook until the outsides are browned, approximately 5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
Step 3: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of oil and sauté the onions until translucent. Add the remaining garlic and cook for another minute.
Step 4: Pour in the tomato sauce and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
Step 5: Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet. Add paprika, salt, and heavy cream. Stir well to combine.
Step 6: Cover and let it simmer on low heat for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Step 7: Once the sauce thickens and the chicken is cooked through, sprinkle garam masala and fresh cilantro over the dish. Stir well and remove from heat.
Step 8: Let the Chicken Tikka Masala stand for a few minutes before serving. Serve with steamed basmati rice or warm naan bread.

Equipment and Tools

• Large mixing bowl
• Skillet
• Stirring spoon

Preparation

Start by collecting all the required ingredients and utensils. For the marinade, prepare the chicken and spices in a bowl the night before for optimum flavor. This will ensure the chicken absorbs all the aromatic flavors from the spices, resulting in a more tender and flavorful dish.

Cooking Process

Once the chicken has been marinated, briefly sauté it in hot oil to seal in the flavors before setting it aside. In the same skillet, sauté onions and garlic to create a flavor base, then add tomato sauce and simmer. The chicken is returned to the pan with heavy cream and additional spices, simmered to blend the flavors and thicken the sauce, then finished with garam masala and fresh cilantro.

Tips and Tricks

For a more intense flavor, marinate the chicken for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
To add a smoky flavor, try grilling the marinated chicken before adding it to the sauce.
Alter the level of spice to your liking by adjusting the amount of cayenne pepper.
Heavy cream can be substituted with coconut milk for a dairy-free option.

Nutritional Information

• Calories: 450
• Fat: 27g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Protein: 35g

Introduction:

Savor the rich and aromatic flavors of Indian cuisine with this Homemade Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe. This iconic dish is beloved for its creamy and spicy tomato sauce, which perfectly complements the marinated and tender pieces of chicken. Chicken Tikka Masala is a global favorite and will surely become a staple dish in your cooking repertoire.