How To Make Chicken Tikka Masala

heavy cream

🥗Healthier: coconut milk

💰Cheaper: milk + cornstarch

Coconut milk reduces calories while adding creaminess.

chicken

🥗Healthier: tofu

💰Cheaper: chickpeas

Tofu provides a plant-based alternative with lower cost.

yogurt

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: sour cream

Greek yogurt offers similar tang with more protein.

garam masala

🥗Healthier: curry powder

💰Cheaper: mixed spices

Curry powder is often more accessible and affordable.

Start with 4 chicken breast fillets and ensure they are nice and trimmed.

Add a pinch of salt and cracked pepper to the chicken.

Pour in 1/4 cup of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of crushed garlic.

Add 1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt to the chicken.

Mix thoroughly to marinate the chicken, then cover and refrigerate for about 1 hour.

In a pot over medium heat, add 4 tablespoons of butter and 1.5 sliced onions.

Sauté the onions until caramelized, being careful not to fry them.

Add 1 tablespoon of grated ginger, 1 tablespoon of coriander powder, 1 tablespoon of cumin powder, 1/2 tablespoon of cardamom powder, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, 1 tablespoon of paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder, and 1/2 tablespoon of turmeric to the pot.

Stir through the spices and lower the heat to low to medium to cook the spices slowly for about 5 minutes.

Add 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and stir it through.

Pour in 1.5 cups of water and bring the mixture to a boil.

Once boiling, add 1/2 cup of thickened cream and another cup of water, stirring to combine.

Simmer the sauce on low to medium heat for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Prepare the chicken by grilling it, which works best, but you can also fry or roast it if needed.

In a griddle pan, add 3 tablespoons of oil and place the marinated chicken in the pan.

After about 30 seconds, flip the chicken to seal it and keep the juices inside.

Grill the chicken for about 10 to 12 minutes, flipping every 2 to 3 minutes.

Once the chicken is ready, slice it into bite-sized pieces, ensuring not to cut too thin.

Grill the chicken to about 85% done, as it will finish cooking in the sauce.

After about 10 to 15 minutes, the sauce should be thickened up nicely.

Add the chicken pieces into the sauce and stir through.

Let the chicken cook in the sauce for about 5 minutes to finish cooking.

Turn off the heat and serve the chicken tikka masala with rice, naan bread, or by itself.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens