Chefie AIRecipes Get the app

Recipes › Indian

Chicken Tikka Masala

A restaurant-quality Indian classic featuring tender chicken strips marinated in yogurt and spices, then simmered in a velvety, tomato-based cream sauce. This dish perfectly balances the warmth of garam masala with a rich, glossy finish that's ideal for a comforting dinner.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Ingredients

  • Chicken Breast, boneless, skinless, sliced into ½-inch strips1
  • Plain Greek Yogurt, full fat preferred for creaminess¼ cup
  • Lemon, juiced½
  • Garlic, finely minced3 clove
  • Ginger (ground)½ tsp
  • Garam Masala, divided use1½ tsp
  • Turmeric½ tsp
  • Cumin (ground)½ tsp
  • Chili Powder, adjust for heat preference½ tsp
  • Kosher Salt, plus more to taste½ tsp
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil1 tbsp
  • Yellow Onion, finely diced½
  • Tomato Sauce, plain tomato puree or sauce½ cup
  • Heavy Cream¼ cup
  • Basmati Rice, dry½ cup
  • Cilantro, leaves only, roughly chopped for garnish1 bunch
  • Wateras needed

Contains Dairy, Garlic, Onion. AI-generated, checked against common allergens; always check labels.

Method

  1. Marinate the chicken

    In a medium mixing bowl, combine ¼ cup Plain Greek Yogurt, juice from ½ Lemon, ½ tsp Ginger (ground), ½ tsp Garam Masala, and ½ tsp Turmeric. Add the sliced Chicken Breast and toss thoroughly until every strip is evenly coated in the spiced yogurt mixture.

    5 min
  2. Rest the chicken

    Set the bowl aside at room temperature to allow the marinade to penetrate the Chicken Breast while you prepare the rice and aromatics.

    10 min
  3. Cook the basmati rice

    In a small saucepan, combine ½ cup Basmati Rice with 1 cup of water and a pinch of Kosher Salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a low simmer, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and cook for 15 minutes.

    15 min
  4. Sear the chicken

    Heat 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated Chicken Breast strips in a single layer. Sear for 3 minutes per side until browned and slightly charred, then remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate.

    6 min
  5. Sauté the aromatics

    In the same skillet over medium heat, add the diced ½ Yellow Onion. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion is soft and translucent. Add the 3 minced Garlic cloves and cook for another 60 seconds until fragrant.

    6 min
  6. Bloom the spices

    Add ½ tsp Cumin (ground), ½ tsp Chili Powder, and the remaining 1 tsp Garam Masala to the skillet with the onions. Stir constantly for 1 minute to 'bloom' the spices in the residual oil.

    1 min
  7. Simmer the tomato base

    Pour in ½ cup Tomato Sauce and add ½ tsp Kosher Salt. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally as the sauce thickens and darkens.

    5 min
  8. Finish with cream and chicken

    Stir in ¼ cup Heavy Cream until the sauce is a uniform orange color. Return the seared Chicken Breast to the pan. Simmer together for 2-3 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thick and glossy.

    3 min
  9. Garnish and serve

    Fluff the Basmati Rice with a fork and plate it. Ladle the Chicken Tikka Masala over the rice and garnish generously with chopped Cilantro.

    2 min

Nutrition per serving

823kcal
57gProtein
52gCarbs
43gFat
4gFibre

More recipes like this

Cook it in Chefie

Any recipe made to your diet and allergies, step-by-step cook mode with timers, and a chef to ask when something goes wrong.

Download Chefie AI on the App Store