Only a few dishes in the world of culinary arts can match the luscious symphony of flavors that Chicken Tikka Masala offers. A mouthwatering delicacy, that seamlessly combines the warmth of comfort food and the rich flavors of an exotic dish, it is a dish that speaks for itself with each bite.
Believe in having been born inside the kitchens of innovative Indian cooks in the United States, the dish has traveled through the hearts of millions across the globe and has bagged excellent comments from almost everywhere.
This iconic Indian dish is a mix of tender chicken, vibrant spices, and creamy gravy that combine excellently to deliver a memorable culinary experience to you and your loved ones.
Finding Chicken Tikka masala on the menu of various restaurants is pretty easy but making this extraordinary chicken curry has always been a daunting task. Right from choosing the best chicken spices to the right tomatoes, it is all a work of perfection.
But with the right tips and tricks, this perfection can be achieved inside your kitchen and you can prepare the best Chicken Tikka Masala for yourself.
In this blog today, we are going to share a really easy and simple recipe for Chicken Tikka Masala that uses just the basic ingredients from your kitchen and offers the same flavors as the authentic dish. So put that apron on, grab your ingredients, and get ready to embark on this exciting culinary journey.
Know your ingredients first
Chicken Breasts
What would Chicken Tikka Masala, be without chicken? Tender chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces are the heart of this delicacy. The reason behind using chicken breast in place of any other part (chicken thighs, Leg) is that breast pieces marinate well and incorporate the juices and flavors than the other pieces, moreover, these are relatively easy to cook and provide a smoky flavor upon grilling or frying, enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.
Yogurt
Yogurt is an important ingredient in the dish because its creamy texture holds the spices and herbs together and allows them to infuse better into the chicken pieces. Yoghurt also contains lactic acid, which aids in the breakdown of proteins in chicken, making it succulent and easy to bite into. Furthermore, yogurt enhances the dish’s flavor and creaminess.
Lemon
No matter what recipe you try for chicken tikka masala, the one thing that remains common throughout them is the tanginess in the chicken pieces. This tanginess comes from the lemon juice that is used in the marinade.
Spices
The essence of Indian cooking is the spices. These spices provide a vibrant flavor to the chicken tikka masala. Red chili is used mainly to add beautiful color to the curry, turmeric for its anti-inflammatory properties, and garam masala along with the other spices creates a symphony of flavors that cling onto the chicken well and provide you with a heartwarming experience.
Ginger Garlic Paste
Ginger garlic paste provides an earthy and Indian touch to the whole dish, enhancing the flavors of the marinade as well as the curry. Apart from this ginger and garlic are extremely good for your digestion, making the dish flavourful yet not upsetting your stomach.
Canned Tomatoes
Choosing the right tomatoes for the curry can be time-consuming, so canned tomatoes can be a good alternative. These are made with the juiciest tomatoes and add the perfect flavor and texture to your Chicken Tikka Masala.
Expert Tips to make the best Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe
These 5 expert tips will help you make sure that you are doing it the right way and nothing will stop you from making the best Chicken Tikka Masala.
Let the Marinade rest
Once the chicken is well coated in the marinade, let it sit for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This will make sure the spices along with the yoghurt and other ingredients seep well into the chicken and the chicken pieces turn out to be crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Sear slowly
Make sure to fry the chicken in small batches and not overcrowd the pan. Sear the chicken pieces on low-medium heat to ensure that they are thoroughly cooked and the juices are not completely dried. This tip would result in crispy yet tender chicken bites.
Canned tomatoes over fresh ones
Making a puree out of fresh tomatoes is both tiring and a hassle, and sometimes does not provide the right amount of flavors required for making chicken tikka masala. Canned tomatoes on the other hand are an easier alternative and provide just the right flavour and texture to your curry. But still, if you cannot use canned tomatoes, then make sure to boil the tomatoes before blending them and add a little sugar and salt to the prepared puree.
Don’t forget the cream
The last but not least ingredient of this amazing recipe is the heavy cream. Heavy cream pairs extremely well with such curries and add a note of richness and creaminess to them. But make sure that the heavy cream you use is at room temperature and that you lower the heat before adding it to the pan.
Serving
When your delicious chicken tikka masala is ready to serve, take the time to properly plate it. The curry goes well with any type of bread, from simple chapatis to extraordinary naans, and you can serve it with rice to make a filling meal for your loved ones.
Recipe Card
Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe
Ingredients
For the Chicken Tikka
- 3 Medium size / 3 Medium size chicken breast (cubed)
- ¼ cup / 61 ¼ g yogurt
- 1 tbsp / 14 ⅘ ml lemon juice
- 1 tsp / 2 g red chili powder
- 1 tsp / 2 g cumin powder
- 1 tsp / 2 g coriander powder
- ½ tsp / 1 g turmeric powder
- 1 tsp / 5 g paprika powder
- ½ tsp / 1 ¼ g garam masala powder
- 1 tbsp / 15 g ginger garlic paste
- 1 tsp / 6 g salt
- 1 tbsp / 14 ⅘ ml cooking oil
For the curry
- 4 tbsp / 59 ⅐ ml Cooking oil
- 1 medium size / 1 medium size Onion (minced)
- 1 tbsp / 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
- 2 medium size / 2 medium size green chilis (chopped)
- 2 tbsp / 2 tbsp chopped coriander
- 1 tsp / 2 g red chili powder
- 1 tsp / 2 g coriander powder
- 1 tsp / 2 g cumin powder
- 1 tsp / 5 g paprika powder
- ½ tsp / 1 g turmeric powder
- ½ tsp / 1 ¼ g garam masala
- 1 tsp / 6 g salt
- 1 ½ cup / 223 ½ g tomatoes (Canned)
- 4 tbsp / 59 ⅐ ml heavy cream
Instructions
Preparing Chicken Tikka
- Add the cubed chicken breasts, yogurt, lemon juice, ginger garlic paste, and all the spices mentioned in the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Give this a good mix.
- Set the prepared marinade aside and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan or skillet over medium-high heat and cook the marinated chicken pieces in batches, until they turn golden brown.
- Once done, set these aside.
Preparing the curry
- Heat some cooking oil in another pan and fry the minced onions until golden.
- Next, add the ginger garlic paste, chopped green chilis, and coriander leaves. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Throw all the spices mentioned into the pan along with salt and let these cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add some water and pour in the canned tomatoes. Stir well. Let these cook for about 4-5 minutes or until you can see the oil floating on the top.
- Now add the chicken tikka pieces to the curry and coat them well.
- Top your chicken tikka masala, with some heavy cream and garnish with chopped coriander before serving it with naan or rice.
Video
Succulent chicken pieces coated in the rich flavourful curry are all you need for dinner tonight. Who knew making chicken tikka masala would be so easy, now it is an easy task with this outstanding recipe
So now that you have learned all about how to make this delicious Chicken Tikka Masala, it’s time to gather your ingredients and show your talent to your loved ones. The recipe turns out to be so delicious and rich, making it the right dinner option for your guests. And guess what they will be left amazed at what you have made and will be left asking for more. Do try out this amazing recipe and let us know if you have any queries.
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