Chicken Tikka Masala is a beloved dish that perfectly encapsulates the essence of Indian cuisine, seamlessly blending succulent chicken with a luscious, mildly spiced tomato cream sauce. This recipe empowers you to create this iconic dish in your own kitchen, combining the effortless convenience of Usha’s Kitchen’s Curry Starter and Tikka Masala Spice Blend. Whether you choose to prepare the chicken on the stovetop or on a grill, this dish brings traditional Indian flavors right to your dinner table in just under 30 minutes.
The magic lies in the Chicken Tikka, which features bite-sized pieces of chicken marinated in a tantalizing mix of spices, lemon juice, and yogurt, imparting a delightful tanginess. The Tikka Masala sauce complements the chicken perfectly, with a harmonious blend of crushed tomatoes and cream that enhances the overall flavor profile. The beauty of this recipe is its adaptability; you can easily customize the spice level to suit your palate by adding fresh chilis if desired.
Chicken Tikka Masala = Chicken Tikka + Tikka Masala.
Chicken Tikka Masala is one of the most popular curry dishes in the world. It is most accurately described as succulent tender pieces of chicken floating in a velvety tomato cream sauce. The most important thing you need to know about this recipe is that It is actually easy to make once you know how. Learn how to make it at home and savor the taste of this Indian delight at your own dinner table. Your family will thank you and you will be the hero chef d’jour for making it.
Chicken Tikka (The Chicken) is the spiced tender pieces of chicken found swimming in Chicken Tikka Masala Curry Sauce. It melts in your mouth and sticks to your ribs. No wonder it is the most popular dish in the UK and is a classic example of the fusion of Indian and British gastronomic that is enjoyed world wide. This Chicken Tikka recipe can be made in 30 minutes right on your stovetop – no marination time needed. This is how to cook Chicken Tikka on the stovetop at home without a Tandoor Oven or a grill and bring those traditional Indian aromas and flavors to your dinner table. If you have a grill, you can skewer this chicken and cook them on the BBQ or roast them in your oven.
Tikka Masala (The Sauce)You can buy your Tikka Masala Sauce at the store or easily make it at home using Curry Starter in 5 steps.(See the next post for this recipe) Either way, get the Tikka Masala sauce ready by heating it in a wide based pan and set on low heat while you prepare and cook your Chicken Tikka.
Chicken Tikka Masala is the combination of the Chicken Tikka (Cooked Chicken) with the Tikka Masala (The Sauce).
Chicken Tikka Masala
Description
Expect a symphony of flavors with Chicken Tikka Masala: the savory warmth of spices, the creaminess of the sauce, and a subtle hint of tang from the yogurt and lemon juice. Each bite melts in your mouth, making it an irresistible dish that pairs beautifully with rice or Indian bread.
Ingredients
Tikka Masala (the sauce)
Marinade for Chicken Tikka (the chicken)
For Cooking Chicken Tikka (the chicken)
Garnishes
Instructions
Tikka Masala (The Sauce)
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Heat 1 jar of Curry Starter in large sauce pan on medium heat
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Add 3 tbsp Magic Masala and stir
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Add water in 1/4 cup increments when sauce is dry and sticking to sides and reduce heat
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Once oil separates from the sauce, add crushed tomatoes and any remainder water that has not been added yet
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Simmer 10 min, then turn the heat to low.
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To "temper" the 1/2 cup half and half, add 1/2 cup hot Tikka sauce to the half and half and mix it well.
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Add the tempered half and half to the sauce in the sauce pan and keep it warm on extra low temp.
Chicken Tikka (the cooked chicken)
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Put chicken cubes in mixing bowl.
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Add lemon juice, yogurt, Tikka Spice Blend, and olive oil. Mix well.
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Heat 1/2 tbsp olive oil and 1/2 tbsp butter in a large nonstick skillet on medium high heat.
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Drop half the chicken on the pan and space them out so they are not crowded.
Cook about 3-4 minutes and flip them over when they are golden
Cook 2-3 more minutes or until the internal temp reaches close to 165 degrees.
Chicken Tikka Masala is Chicken Tikka + Tikka Masala Sauce
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Combine Chicken with Tikka Sauce
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Add 1 Tbsp Butter cut in 4 pieces
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Heat thoroughly and garnish as you wish
Garnish
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Salt to taste
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Garnish with finely chopped fresh cilantro
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Serve over rice or with a variety of Indian Breads like Naan or Paratha
Servings 8
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 449.66kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 29.58g46%
- Saturated Fat 9.16g46%
- Trans Fat 0.18g
- Cholesterol 60.3mg21%
- Sodium 535.72mg23%
- Potassium 721.06mg21%
- Total Carbohydrate 35.01g12%
- Dietary Fiber 17.5g70%
- Sugars 4.25g
- Protein 18.3g37%
- Vitamin A 95.71 IU
- Vitamin C 8.22 mg
- Calcium 218.77 mg
- Iron 7.23 mg
- Vitamin D 0.41 IU
- Vitamin E 8.58 IU
- Vitamin K 47.83 mcg
- Thiamin 0.27 mg
- Riboflavin 0.2 mg
- Niacin 6.49 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.15 mg
- Folate 35.88 mcg
- Vitamin B12 0.28 mcg
- Phosphorus 319.77 mg
- Magnesium 107.85 mg
- Zinc 2.24 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Curry Starter and Tikka Masala Spice Blend by Usha's Kitchen:
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Using Usha’s Kitchen Curry Starter and Tikka Masala Spice Blend by Usha's Kitchen cuts down on preparation and cooking time allowing you to prepare and get dinner on the table without a lot work in the kitchen. All of the difficult work of chopping, grating, sautéing, simmering is done. Simply heat up Curry Starter, add your desired spice (here is is Tikka Masala Spice Blend), and 1-3 other fresh ingredients like tomatoes, paneer and peas in this recipe and your are done. Curry Starter and Tikka Masala Spice Blend are available at ushaskitchen.com. Usha’s Kitchen food products also lens to a curry that is mildly spiced. if you prefer a spicier curry, all you need to do is add a Serrano chili or just a pinch of cayenne pepper. If you prefer to make everything from scratch, you can substitute these with your own homemade curry base and spice blends.
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Cooking Options:
- While this recipe uses a stovetop method, you can also cook the marinated chicken on a grill (see our Grilled Chicken Tikka recipe) or in the oven for an extra smoky flavor. If grilling, skewer the chicken pieces for easy cooking and handling.
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Making It Creamier:
- For a richer and creamier sauce, you can increase the amount of heavy cream or coconut milk. Tempering the cream first (mixing it with a bit of hot sauce) will help prevent curdling.
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Consistency:
- If the sauce is too thick for your liking, add a bit more water or cream to adjust the consistency. If it's too thin, let it simmer for a few extra minutes to thicken