This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my privacy policy.
Chicken Tikka Masala with chicken in a spicy, creamy and rich tikka masala sauce. This easy and delicious homemade recipe tastes just like the best Indian restaurant.
Authentic Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken tikka masala is a delicious dish from India, just like Indian chicken curry It typically appears as bite-sized pieces of grilled or roasted tandoori chicken, immersed in a vibrant reddish-orange creamy sauce.
The sauce itself often has a smooth texture, with visible spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric giving it a rich color and depth of flavor. It’s commonly served alongside fluffy white rice or warm, pillowy naan, making for a hearty and satisfying meal. It’s famous for its rich flavor and is loved by many around the world.
In Indian buffet restaurants across the United States, this dish is often a star attraction, other than other favorites such as Indian samosas. Its popularity stems from its ability to please a wide range of palates with its bold yet approachable flavors. Many diners are drawn to its familiar creamy texture and mild spice level, making it a comforting choice for both newcomers to Indian cuisine and seasoned enthusiasts alike.
In this recipe tutorial, you’ll learn easy Indian Chicken Tikka Masala recipe.
How To Make Chicken Tikka Masala
To make this recipe, first you will have to make Tandoori chicken, grilled over fire or baked in oven. For home cooks, baking is the easiest option.
Secondly, you make the delicious tikka masala sauce and cook the chicken until a rich creamy consistency.
Tikka Masala Sauce
Tikka Masala Sauce consists of the following key ingredients:
- Tomato Paste
- Garam Masala or Indian Spice Mix. You can get it from Indian/Asian stores or online
- Ketchup
- Whipping Cream
This Chicken Masala Recipe involves a two-step process but I will assure you that end result is worth your effort. Once you try my Chicken Tikka Masala recipe, you will never go back to Indian buffets again.
It tastes just just like your favorite Indian restaurant if not better.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is only 297 calories per serving.
What To Serve With Chicken Tikka Masala
For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.
Other Indian Recipes You Might Like
Chicken Tikka Masala
Ingredients
- 1 lb (500g) tandoori chicken
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon ginger, finely minced
- 2 teaspoons garlic, finely minced
- 1/2 cup canned tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- salt to taste
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream, or yogurt
- 2 sprigs cilantro, leaves only, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Cut the Tandoori chicken (click for recipe) into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
- Heat the butter in a pan over low heat. Add the ginger and garlic, and sauté for about 1 to 2 minutes, or until aromatic. Then, add the tomato paste and chili powder, stirring to mix well for about 30 seconds.
- Add the Tandoori chicken and garam masala to the pan, stir, and let simmer for 10 minutes. Cover the pan with its lid.
- Add the ketchup, sugar, salt, and water, and simmer for another 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the heavy whipping cream or yogurt, stirring to combine well with all the ingredients in the pan. Transfer the Chicken Tikka Masala to a serving platter and garnish with chopped cilantro leaves before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Well, here is a bit of background : Tikka Masala chicken is not really Indian. It was invented by Indian cook in the United Kingdom to come up with a dish that caters more for the British taste, less spicy and more creamy.
It is a very nice dish though and very popular in Indian restaurants everywhere.
I make it at least once per month.
Would boneless chicken work for this recipe?
Yes.
I’m a senior in high school and made this dish for an assignment. Everyone really liked it in my family, and once I found out where to get all of the ingredients for it, it was pretty simple overall to make. Those that wanted to make it more spicy could build on what I made and my younger brother had his with less sauce. It wasn’t expensive to make either. I will make it again, thanks!
Awesome!??
Fantastic Recipe! Definitely just like the Indian buffets that are prolific in Silicon Valley Calif. We used chicken tenders and added after the chicken was cooked to the Tikka Masala sauce. Didn’t have chili powder so we used 1 Tablespoon of red pepper flakes. It had a nice kick to it but not overwhelming. Doubled the garlic and ginger. We were using fresh Hawaiian ginger which also adds some spice and sweetness.
Amazing!?
The chili powder, is that the chili powder used in American beans and chili, or another variety?
Thanks
Stacey
Yes that’s fine.
Hi Rasa, I really want to try your recipes of Tikka Masala, which calls for tandoori chicken and garam masala spices. I live in Toronto, and my local Indian store owner told me that I could just use Tandoori Masala by Desi instead of both. I’d love to hear your opinion since Tandoori Masala offers a simpler solution and doesn’t involve buying different types of spices. Look forward to hearing your advice. Thank you!
Sure you can try!
Will fresh cherry tomatoes be ok instead of tomato paste can’t find here
Yes, you can use 1:2 or 1:3 ratio, but it is up to you, and you will need to chop or crush the cherry tomatoes.
Hi Bee- I would like to know if you could suggest some modifications to make this vegetarian using tofu? Thanks.
https://rasamalaysia.com/mushroom-tikka-masala/