Chicken Tikka Masala Delight (Printable)

Tender marinated chicken simmered in creamy spiced tomato sauce with fragrant herbs and aromatic spices.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken Marinade

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
03 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
04 - 2 tsp ground cumin
05 - 2 tsp ground coriander
06 - 1.5 tsp garam masala
07 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1 tsp ground turmeric
09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated

→ Sauce

12 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
13 - 1 tbsp vegetable oil
14 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
15 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
16 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
17 - 1 tbsp ground cumin
18 - 1 tbsp garam masala
19 - 2 tsp ground paprika
20 - 1 tsp ground coriander
21 - 1 tsp chili powder (optional)
22 - 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
23 - 1 cup heavy cream
24 - 1 tsp sugar
25 - Salt and pepper, to taste
26 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, mix yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, garam masala, smoked paprika, turmeric, salt, garlic, and ginger. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2 to 4 hours.
02 - Preheat the broiler to high. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a rack on top. Arrange marinated chicken pieces on the rack and broil 5 to 7 minutes per side until lightly charred and nearly cooked through. Alternatively, grill or pan-sear the chicken.
03 - Heat butter and vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and ginger; sauté for 1 minute.
04 - Stir in cumin, garam masala, paprika, coriander, and optional chili powder. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
05 - Pour in tomato sauce and add sugar. Simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Stir in heavy cream and continue to simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
07 - Add the broiled chicken pieces to the sauce and simmer for 7 to 10 minutes until fully cooked and tender.
08 - Sprinkle chopped cilantro over the dish. Serve hot alongside steamed basmati rice or naan bread.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like restaurant-quality comfort without the intimidation factor.
  • The yogurt marinade transforms ordinary chicken into something impossibly tender.
  • You can have dinner on the table in under an hour, yet it feels like you've been cooking all day.
02 -
  • The chicken continues cooking after you remove it from the broiler, so don't overcook it during that step—it'll finish gently in the sauce.
  • Never skip the marinating time; even 30 minutes makes a difference, but 4 hours transforms the chicken into something transcendent.
  • If your sauce breaks or looks separated, whisk in a splash of heavy cream or a spoonful of Greek yogurt off the heat to bring it back together.
03 -
  • Taste the sauce before adding the chicken; this is your last chance to adjust salt, heat, and sweetness without affecting the chicken.
  • If you prefer a lighter version without sacrificing creaminess, substitute half the heavy cream with coconut milk or use half-and-half instead—the dish adapts beautifully.
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