Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

Chicken Tikka Masala is the epitome of all Chicken curries. The aroma of grilled chicken with zesty Indian tomato sauce makes this recipe better than any takeout menu. 

After trying the famous Indian Butter Chicken recipe, I’m excited to share one of my best-ever Chicken curries, “Chicken Tikka Masala.”” It’s a blend of the finest grilled chicken and aromatic tomato sauce. 

By the way, I’m Pakistani, and I’ve been cooking these Indian recipes since my teenage years. However, I came across Chicken Tikka Masala recipes after I got married. Since then, I have always whipped up this recipe for picnics and other special occasions, and I’ve received a lot of compliments from my husband.

Last month, I’ve started a series of Chicken recipes and regularly published them on my Instagram, but unfortunately, only a few of them are shared on the blog. You can try Chicken korma, Butter chicken, Chicken karahi, and White chicken Korma.

However, till now, the Chicken Tikka Masala is the only recipe that wins my heart. So, let’s see how to infuse taste in this recipe to make it a real epitome.

Chicken Tikka Masala Background 

The roots of Chicken Tikka Masala are pointed towards the Indian. But actually, this recipe was first made in an Indian restaurant in the UK, and from there, it came to India. 

It first came out in 1970, and till now, it’s one of the most famous chicken dishes in Britain. And now I see this amazing chicken curry on every menu in Pakistani restaurants. 

In Restuarants, The Chicken Tikka Masala is made with the traditional “Tandoor” method. First, marinated chicken is char grilled in tandoor, and then it’s added to a tomato-based sauce. 

But you can still make Chicken Tikka Masala using your pan if you don’t have a tandoor or grill. I’ve also whipped up this recipe without grilling and tandoor, and it comes out like a restaurant-style dish. 

Difference Between Chicken Tikka Masala & Butter Chicken 

Butter Chicken and Chicken Tikka Masala are two hotly debated topics. And I’ve got so many questions regarding their differences, so I’ve written a separate article on this topic. Check it out!

However, the whole summary of this debate is that Chicken Tikka Masala has a spicy and tangy gravy. Meanwhile, butter chicken has creamy, smooth, and velvety gravy. 

The butter chicken is the go-to option if you want to try something more like umami or chicken gravy with a mild and creamy taste. But if you’re a fan of zesty flavors, the Chicken Tikka Masala will starfish your palates. 

Ingredients

Chicken: For tikka, we use boneless chicken, and in the same way, for Chicken Tikka masala the boneless chicken is a preferable choice. But it’s not a hard and fast rule; the bone-in chicken is also usable. 

Yogurt: This is an ingredient we will use in the marination process and tomato sauce. The yogurt softens the chicken bites, making them juicer.

Onion & Tomatoes: You must use chopped onions and tomatoes to smooth the curry. Tomato and onion paste are also preferred options. 

Garlic Paste: This is the only aromatic I will use in this recipe. I prefer not to use ginger paste as it can overpower the gravy. 

Oil: Any cooking oil is suitable. I’m using canola oil. Butter is also a substitute for better taste. 

Spices: When it comes to Chicken Tikka Masala, there is a huge list of spices. But I’m sure all these Indian spies are available in every pantry. The spice includes red chili powder, red chili flakes, turmeric powder, ginger powder, coriander powder, garlic powder, chicken tikka masala, and salt.

Coal: Ah! This is not an ingredient. But we will use the heated coal to infuse the smoky coal flavor in our recipe, making its taste more traditional. 

Lemons & Green Chilies: Both these ingredients will be used for garnishing. Lemons are also a crucial ingredient for marinating the chicken as they help it cook faster. 

Let’s Make The Chicken Tikka Masala 

Marination 

1. First, start with the chicken marination. Throw the chicken pieces in a large mixing bowl, and then add all the marination ingredients. Here are the items that you need for marination. 

• 700 g Chicken 
• 4 tsp Yogurt
• 1/3 tsp Red chili flakes
• 1/3 tsp Red chili powder
• 1/3 tsp Turmeric powder
• 1/3 tsp Ginger powder
• 1/3 tsp Coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp Garlic paste 
• 1/3 tsp Salt 

Now, leave this bowl for 30 – 40 minutes of rest. 

Grill The Chicken

2. I’m not using any grill, but you can get the chicken chargrilled with the pan. First, add two tablespoons of oil to a pan and let it become smoking hot. Then add the chicken and let it cook until the marinade darkens, about 2 – 3 minutes. Flip the chicken pieces and do the same with the second side. 

Make The Tomato Sauce

3. Then, take another pan, heat the oil, and sauté the onion until golden. Next, add the garlic paste to make the gravy aromatic and pleasant. Stir for 2 minutes.  

4. Now add the tomatoes and all the ground spices. Here, I’m adding 1/3 cup of water to bring a subtle consistency to the gravy. Stir for 4 – 5 minutes, and then add the yogurt. After that, let it simmer for two more minutes, stirring occasionally.

Adding Chicken In The Gravy

5. Add the cooked chicken to the tomatoes-onion sauce and stir it well to blend the flavors with the chicken. 

Garnishing:

5. Finally, garnish with some green chiles and lemons.

Introduce The Coal Flavor

6. To introduce the coal flavor, simply place a spoon inside the pan. Now heat the coal on a stove until it gets overheated. Place that coat on the spoon with a tong, drizzle a few drops of oil over the coal, and immediately close the lid. Keep the lid close for a few minutes, and turn off the stove. 

Some Tips To Make Chicken Tikka Masala Special

Serving Tips 

Chicken Tikka Masala is typically served with naan, Tandoori roti, Paratha, white rice, or Basmati rice. Including cucumber salad, raita, pickles, or mint chutney as sides with Chicken Tikka Masala is essential.

I also love using Chicken Tikka Masala in Paratha rolls.

Other Chicken Recipes

• Chicken Korma
• Hariyali Chicken
• Butter Chiken
• Peshawari Chicken
• Chicken Karahi
• Chicken Pakora