Chicken Tikka Masala
A rich and creamy Indian dish featuring marinated chicken in a spiced tomato sauce, perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
For the marinade
- 1 lb chicken breast, cubed Use boneless for best results.
- 1 cup plain yogurt Helps tenderize the chicken.
- 2 tbsp lemon juice Adds acidity to the marinade.
- 2 tsp garam masala A fragrant spice blend.
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1/2 tsp turmeric For color and flavor.
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper Adjust for spiciness.
- Salt to taste
Main ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil For sautéing.
- 1 onion chopped Provides base flavor.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream Adds richness to the sauce.
- Fresh cilantro for garnish Optional, for serving.
Instructions
Marinating the chicken
- Marinate the chicken in yogurt, lemon juice, garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric, cayenne pepper, and salt for at least 1 hour or overnight.
Cooking the dish
- In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion, garlic, and ginger and sauté until onions are soft.
- Add the marinated chicken and cook until browned.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the heavy cream and simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes until thickened.
Serving
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.
Notes
For the best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight when possible. Adjust the spice levels by adding more or less cayenne pepper to suit your taste. Make sure to sauté the onions until they're soft to create a solid base flavor.