Name: Authentic Chicken Tikka Masala (Creamy Indian Curry)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken (thighs preferred), cut into 1.5-inch pieces; 1 cup plain full-fat yogurt; 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste; 1 tbsp garam masala; 1 tsp turmeric powder; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground coriander; 1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder; 2 tbsp lemon juice; 1½ tsp salt; 3 tbsp ghee or butter; 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped; 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste; 1 tsp each: garam masala, cumin, coriander; 1 (15 oz) can tomato puree; 1 tsp sugar; 1½ cups heavy cream; 1 tbsp kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves); Fresh cilantro for garnish

Description

This homemade Chicken Tikka Masala features tender marinated chicken grilled to perfection and simmered in a velvety, spiced tomato-cream sauce. It’s a rich, flavorful dish that brings restaurant-quality Indian curry to your kitchen.

Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken (thighs preferred), cut into 1.5-inch pieces
1 cup plain full-fat yogurt
2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
1 tbsp garam masala
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder
2 tbsp lemon juice
1½ tsp salt
3 tbsp ghee or butter
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
1 tsp each: garam masala, cumin, coriander
1 (15 oz) can tomato puree
1 tsp sugar
1½ cups heavy cream
1 tbsp kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

Combine yogurt, spices, lemon juice, and salt for the marinade. Mix with chicken and marinate for at least 1 hour, ideally overnight.
Cook chicken using grill, broiler, or skillet until lightly charred and cooked through. Set aside.
In a pot, heat ghee or butter and sauté onion until golden, about 8-10 minutes.
Add ginger-garlic paste, then ground spices. Stir for 30 seconds. Add tomato puree and sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes until thickened.
Stir in heavy cream and crushed kasoori methi. Simmer briefly, then add chicken. Simmer 10 minutes more. Garnish with cilantro and serve hot.

Notes

Substitute coconut cream for a dairy-free version. Kasoori methi is essential for authentic flavor—don’t skip it.

Total time does not include marination.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Grilling, Simmering
Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1½ cups
Calories: 430
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 820 mg
Fat: 27 g
Saturated Fat: 14 g
Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 14 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 34 g
Cholesterol: 38 mg

Keywords: chicken tikka masala, Indian curry, creamy chicken, tikka masala recipe, grilled chicken curry