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best chicken tikka masala

Best Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala doesn't have to be complicated to taste amazing. This recipe has all the amazing flavors of Chicken Tikka Masala and can easily be made at home.

Course Dinner
Cuisine Indian
Keyword Chicken
Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Marinating time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 27 minutes
Servings 8 Servings
Author Heather @ thecookstreat.com

Ingredients

For Marinating:

  • 3 pounds chicken thighs
  • 1/4 cup yogurt or kefir milk see note
  • 2 teaspoons ginger paste
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons Tikka Masala spice mix see note
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons canola or avocado oil

For the gravy:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons canola or avocado oil
  • 2-3 pods cardamon or
  • 4 whole cloves or
  • 1 inch cinnamon stick
  • 3-4 whole black peppercorns
  • 1/2 cup white onion finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ginger paste
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 cup tomato finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon canned green chilis
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 2 tablespoons Tikka Masala spice mix see note
  • salt to taste
  • 1 cup cream
  • 1 teaspoon honey

Instructions

  1. Trim the fat from the chicken and cut into one inch pieces. Place in gallon ziplock bag and set aside.

  2. In a large bowl, combine the yogurt or kefir, ginger paste, minced garlic, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons Tikka Masala Spice Mix, 2 teaspoons salt, and 2 tablespoons of canola or avocado oil for the marinade. Mix together and pour over the chicken in the ziplock bag. Refrigerate for 10 to 24 hours.

  3. Preheat oven broiler and transfer chicken and marinade onto a 11x17-inch half baking sheet. Broil about 4-inches from broiler for 5 minutes, remove from oven and flip chicken then another 4-5 minutes until chicken is at least 165 degrees F. Set aside.

  4. In a large deep skillet or sauce pan, heat 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat until rippling. Slightly crush the cardamom, cloves, cinnamon stick and black peppercorns and add them to the hot oil. Let them crackle a few seconds.

  5. Add finely chopped onion and cook 3-4 minutes until it turns translucent.

  6. Add ginger and garlic and stir for a minute.

  7. Next add chopped tomato and cook for 3-4 minutes until tomatoes soften.

  8. Add green chilis, tomato sauce, chili powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, 2 tablespoons Tikka Masala Spice mix and salt to taste and cook for 3-4 minutes.

  9. Stir in broiled chicken along with the marinade and juices from the pan. Add the cream and honey and cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through.

  10. This dish can be served immediately with freshly steamed or basmati rice and naan bread. It also can be made ahead of time, refrigerated or frozen and reheated.

Recipe Notes

1. The yogurt or kefir ingredient is easily substitutable. I've also used milk or buttermilk.

2. I buy my Tikka spice mix on Amazon: this one or this one are both great.