Chicken Tikka Masala

Name: Chicken Tikka Masala
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs, cut in large chunks; 1 cup whole-milk yogurt; 2 tbsp garam masala; 1 tbsp ground cumin; 2 tsp smoked paprika; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp grated ginger; 1 onion, finely diced; 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes; 1 cup heavy cream; Cilantro and basmati rice to serve

Easy Dinners Chicken Freezer Friendly High-Protein Gluten-Free

Yogurt-marinated chicken charred under the broiler and folded into a tomato and cream sauce built on toasted spices. The broiler step is what keeps this from tasting like a plain curry, so do not skip it.

Course: Easy Dinners
Time: 1 hr
Servings: 4

Cooking Notes

The yogurt marinade seasons the chicken and protects it during the high-heat broil. Give the pieces space on the pan so they char instead of releasing liquid and steaming.
Bloom the spices in fat before adding the tomatoes. Brief direct heat develops a fuller flavor than simply stirring dry spices into the finished sauce.
Fold the broiled chicken into the sauce near the end so the browned edges stay distinct. Long simmering after charring softens the texture that makes this version work.

Recipe Card

Chicken Tikka Masala

By Gabriella

Pin It

Category: Easy Dinners
Total Time: 1 hr
Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 4

Ingredients

2 lbs boneless chicken thighs, cut in large chunks
1 cup whole-milk yogurt
2 tbsp garam masala
1 tbsp ground cumin
2 tsp smoked paprika
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp grated ginger
1 onion, finely diced
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 cup heavy cream
Cilantro and basmati rice to serve

Instructions

1
Marinate the chicken in the yogurt with half the spices, garlic, and ginger for at least thirty minutes and up to overnight.
2
Spread the chicken on a foil-lined sheet and broil for about ten minutes, turning once, until the edges char in spots.
3
Soften the onion in butter, then add the remaining spices and cook them until fragrant so the sauce has depth rather than raw heat.
4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and simmer for fifteen minutes until the sauce darkens and thickens on the spoon.
5
Stir in the cream and the broiled chicken with any juices, simmer five more minutes, and finish with cilantro over rice.