Authentic Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

My family has a genuine affection for chicken, which motivates me to experiment with various recipes by adjusting the spices to uncover delightful new flavors. At the same time, I remain committed to preserving the authentic version of tikka masala, as it wonderfully bridges the culinary traditions of India and Britain.

This meal is my preferred option for a cozy dining experience, and I find myself eager to make it time and again. It goes beyond merely appeasing my appetite; my family loves it, especially my son, who is an enthusiastic admirer of tikka.

What is Chicken Tikka Masala?

I recently discovered that Chicken Tikka Masala is the national dish of UK. This beloved dish was created by Ali Ahmed Aslam, a chef of Pakistani origin, who operated the Shish Mehel restaurant in Glasgow. His remarkable recipe for Chicken Tikka Masala quickly gained popularity, and now people all around the globe are enjoying this damn delicious and easy-to-make chicken dish.

The signature recipe of the tikka masala dish features a creamy yellow-orange curry that beautifully complements tender roasted chicken pieces. The recipe uses many of the same ingredients found in traditional Indian curry sauces, making it both easy and straightforward to make in your kitchen.

Boneless pieces of chicken marinated with yogurt and spices, then pan-seared to get the signature tandoori flavor and gently cooked in a velvety homemade tikka curry paste create a dish that is utterly delicious, aromatic, and satisfying.

I can assure you, that the enticing aroma of chicken tikka filled my home, making it nearly impossible to wait before diving in. You can count on the incredible taste of this chicken tikka masala to wow your guests. Don’t forget to serve it alongside some freshly made butter naan for an unbeatable meal experience.

For a genuine flavor, incorporating BBQ chicken tikka into this recipe is ideal; however, since I'm preparing it at home, I'm opting for a skillet or pot, which offers a straightforward, effortless, and time-efficient alternative.

According to Wikipedia, Tikka is a word from the Chaghatai language that is often paired with the Hindi-Urdu word masala, which has roots in Arabic. This combination of words comes from British English. The Chaghatai word tikka, on the other hand, is derived from the Common Turkic word Tikkü, signifying "piece" or "chunk."

Best Chicken Cut for Tikka

At the grocery store, you can purchase boneless, skinless chicken. I prefer to take breast cut because it is more tender and juicy, providing an ideal meaty flavor to the masala. While some prefer using thighs, they require a longer marination time. It’s best to cut the breast into two-inch pieces. Since we are cooking it in a pan, using smaller pieces will enhance the flavor when combined with the curry sauce.

Chicken tikka masala enjoys global popularity and is a staple on the menus of nearly every Indian and Pakistani restaurant. The traditional version features charcoal-grilled chicken enveloped in a rich curry sauce. For those preparing it at home, achieving that signature roasted texture is simple; you can either roast the chicken in the oven or pan-fry it to perfection.

Ingredients For Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken: Used skinless and boneless chicken breast cut into 1.5-inch pieces, though chicken thighs can also be a suitable alternative.

Oil: Canola or other vegetable oil is best for roasting the chicken in the skillet pan to prepare the masala.

Ginger Garlic: Peel the fresh ginger garlic and blend to make a thick paste.

Full Fat Yogurt: The chicken chunks were marinated in yogurt to enhance flavor and tenderness. Greek yogurt is the best option to use.

Seasoning: Sea salt, Kashmiri red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, garam masala, and black pepper. I prepare homemade tikka masala spice mix since I often cook tikka dishes, and it helps to save time in the kitchen.

Tomato Paste/Puree: Peel the skin of tomatoes and blend it to make fresh tomato paste or substitute it with canned tomatoes to make rich red curry.

Butter + Cream: To achieve a glossy finish on the chicken, butter and fresh cream were added, contributing a rich and creamy taste.

Cilantro / Fresh Coriander: Finally the freshly chopped cilantro or coriander was used as a garnish to enhance the presentation.

How to Make Chicken Tikka Masala

Marinate the Chicken Pieces

1. In a mixing bowl, add the chicken chunks.
2. Add ginger garlic paste along with yogurt.
3. Season the chicken marinade with, Kashmiri Red Chili Powder, Turmeric Powder, Coriander Powder, Garam Masala Powder, and Black Pepper Powder.
4. Combine all the ingredients thoroughly and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. For optimal flavor, marinate overnight, but a minimum of 30 minutes is fine.

Pan Roast the Chicken and Prepare Masala

5. Heat oil in a pan and roast the marinated chicken pieces until they achieve a uniform roasted brown color. Then, take out all the pieces of chicken from the pan and keep aside.
6. In the same pan, add sliced onions and sauté until they turn light brown. Then, add ginger and garlic and cook for a few minutes.
7. Add all the spices (salt, red chili, turmeric, and coriander powder) and cook on medium heat to eliminate any raw spice aroma. Add a splash of water if necessary.
8. Next, pour in the freshly made tomato paste and mix well over high heat.

9. Once the tomato paste is well integrated into the curry and has a consistent texture, lower the heat and add fresh cream. Stir quickly to prevent curdling, cooking for about 4 to 5 minutes until the curry reaches a smooth consistency.
10. Add the roasted chicken tikka pieces to the masala and mix thoroughly.
11. Cover the pan and let the chicken simmer on low heat for 5 to 10 minutes.
12. After 10 minutes, check the chicken's tenderness with a spoon or fork. If it's tender, add butter and mix well over high heat.

Finish by garnishing the dish with freshly chopped cilantro.
Chicken tikka masala is now ready to be served!

Pro Tips

One of the most delightful aspects of preparing this incredibly delicious chicken tikka masala is that it requires just a few ingredients, easily found in local Pakistani and Indian grocery stores worldwide. Here are a few tips based on my best practices as I tested and perfected this recipe many times.

• For the best flavor, it's ideal to marinate the chicken in tikka masala overnight; this allows the spices to deeply infuse the meat, resulting in a dish that is not only flavorful but also tender and juicy.
• Roast the chicken in a nonstick or cast iron skillet pan. To keep the chicken soft and juicy, cook it at high heat to lock in its natural juices and moisture.
• You can barbecue the chicken or roast it in the oven, depending on your preference.
• Using homemade garam masala will enhance the taste of your chicken, making it even more authentic.
• Ensure the onion is thoroughly blended into the curry for a smooth consistency.
• When making a tomato paste, be sure to remove the skin; otherwise, the curry may end up with an undesirable texture.
• It's best to avoid adding cream over high heat, as this can affect the final result.
• After incorporating the cream, whisk it well to achieve a creamy and uniform texture in your curry. Avoid adding cream at high heat.
• Lastly, selecting the right pot or skillet pan for cooking the masala can significantly enhance both the appearance and flavor of your dish. I love to use cast-iron skillet pan to make it.

Watch Recipe

I can't explain it, but I feel so happy whenever make this chicken tikka masala recipe. The rich, creamy texture of the tikka curry always makes me want more. It's a tasty, simple, and fast one-pot dinner option for food lovers to try at home. Check out this step-by-step video recipe that you can follow in your kitchen. If you're a beginner and want to learn how to make this quick one-pan tikka masala, be sure to watch this short tutorial.

What to Serve with Chicken Tikka Masala?

Here are a few ideas to make a serving platter of chicken tikka masala:

Naan or Flatbread: I love pairing with, garlic naan, tandoori roti, or butter naan makes a perfect taste. Alternatively, make a serving with Turkish Bazmala flatbread.

Rice: Garlic butter rice or basmati rice makes a perfect combo.

Salad: Chickpea salad, or simple vegetable salad is a great addition to make it a complete meal. I recently tried to pair it with honey butter skillet corn, and everyone loved it.

Snacks: If you are making for get-together then make some appetizers to serve as a side and Chicken 65, Pakora, roasted potatoes, and potato cutlet are great options.

Phirni or caramel custard is great to serve as a dessert.

Q & A

Explore More Tikka Recipes

Chicken Tikka Biryani | Tandoori Chicken | Chicken Tikka |
Steam Chicken | Shish Tawook | Murgh Tikka Masala | Tikka Masala Spice Mix

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