Chicken Tikka Masala

4.98 from 48 votes
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Chicken Tikka Masala – Tender, yogurt-marinated chicken simmered in a creamy, spiced tomato sauce. Perfect for a comforting meal at home, served with rice and naan bread. Adjust the spice level to your liking and enjoy restaurant-quality flavor in your own kitchen!

Chicken Tikka Masala is one of those dishes that always feels like a special treat—but it doesn’t have to be. For years, it was my go-to order whenever we went out for Indian food. 

The tender, yogurt-marinated chicken in a creamy, spiced tomato sauce paired perfectly with fluffy rice and warm naan bread ( let’s be honest, half the joy is scooping up that sauce). I loved it so much that I decided to crack the code and recreate it at home.

A plate of Chicken and Masala

 

It took some experimenting (and a fair share of less-than-perfect attempts), but I finally landed on a version that delivers all the bold, comforting flavors I’ve come to expect from my favorite restaurant. This recipe has just the right balance of smoky spices, creamy richness, and a touch of heat you can adjust to your liking.

If you’re new to cooking Indian-inspired dishes, don’t worry—this one’s not complicated. You’ll marinate the chicken in a spiced yogurt mixture, broil it for a bit of char, then simmer it in a luscious tomato-based sauce. It’s straightforward enough for a weeknight but feels indulgent enough to serve to guests.

Don’t forget, you could always try Butter Chicken for a slightly milder but equally cozy option.

Why You’ll Love Chicken Tikka Masala

  • Perfectly tender chicken: Yogurt marinade ensures the chicken stays juicy and flavorful in every bite.
  • Simple ingredients: Everything you need can be found at a regular grocery store—no specialty shopping required.
  • Make-ahead friendly: The marinade works wonders when left overnight, giving you the flexibility to prep ahead.
  • One pot for the sauce: The rich, spiced tomato cream sauce comes together in just one pan, minimizing cleanup.
A plate of Chicken and Masala

What You’ll Need

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.

Chicken Marinade 

  • Boneless chicken
  • Plain Yogurt
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Garam Masala 
  • Cayenne Pepper
  • Turmeric
  • Cumin 
  • Salt 

Tikka Masala Sauce

  • Heavy Cream
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Tomato Sauce
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Onion
  • Garam Masala
  • Cumin
  • Turmeric
  • Coriander 
  • Chili Powder
  • Cayenne Pepper
  • Salt 
  • Black Pepper
Chicken masala on a plate with rice

How to Make Chicken Tikka Masala

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, minced garlic, ginger, garam masala, cayenne, turmeric, cumin, and salt. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, add to the marinade, and toss to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight for deeper flavor.
  2. Broil the chicken: Preheat your oven to broil and line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup. Arrange the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer, ensuring they’re not crowded. Broil for 3–4 minutes on one side, flip the pieces, and broil for another 2–3 minutes. The chicken should be slightly charred but not fully cooked through, as it will finish in the sauce.
  3. Sauté aromatics: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add finely chopped onions and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring often, until softened and golden. Stir in the minced garlic and ginger, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Toast the spices: Sprinkle in the garam masala, cumin, turmeric, coriander, and chili powder. Stir continuously for about 1 minute to release their aromas and blend them with the onion mixture.
  5. Simmer the sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce, along with cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together, ensuring the spices are evenly distributed. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
  6. Combine chicken and sauce: Add the broiled chicken pieces, along with any juices from the baking sheet, to the sauce. Stir to coat the chicken in the spiced tomato mixture.
  7. Finish with cream: Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring, ensuring it blends smoothly into the sauce. Increase the heat slightly and let the sauce simmer gently for another 10 minutes, until it becomes thick and velvety. Adjust salt and spice levels to taste.
  8. Serve and enjoy: Spoon the chicken tikka masala over steamed rice and garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve with warm naan bread on the side to soak up the rich, flavorful sauce.
chicken tikka masala on a plate

Recipe Tips & Tricks

  • Use thighs for juicier chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts and are less likely to dry out.
  • Blend the sauce for smoothness: Use an immersion blender to puree the sauce before adding the chicken if you prefer a silky, restaurant-style texture.
  • Adjust the spice level: Reduce the cayenne for a milder dish or add more if you love the heat.
  • Substitute coconut milk for cream: Swap heavy cream for coconut milk for a dairy-free version with a slightly lighter, tropical twist.
  • Prep ahead for busy nights: Marinate the chicken and pre-chop the onions, garlic, and ginger in advance to save time when cooking.
  • Freeze for later: The finished tikka masala freezes well—store in an airtight container for up to 3 months for an easy meal later on.
Can I make this dairy free?

Yes, you can substitute the yogurt in the marinade with a plant-based yogurt and the heavy cream in the sauce with coconut milk or cashew cream for a dairy-free version.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

Reheat on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. Add a splash of water or cream if the sauce has thickened too much in the fridge.

Can I make this in the crockpot?

Yes, you can! After broiling the chicken, transfer it along with the sauce ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on low for 4–6 hours or high for 2–3 hours. Stir in the cream at the end.

More Delicious Chicken Dinners

A plate of Chicken and Tikka
4.98 from 48 votes

Chicken Tikka Masala

By Erin
Chicken Tikka Masala – Yogurt marinated chicken in a spiced curry sauce. Seriously the best!  Serve with rice and Naan bread for a restaurant experience at home!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 35 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 5

Ingredients 

Chicken Marinade

Tikka Masala Sauce

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl whisk together the yogurt with all of the seasonings for the marinade.  Add chicken and mix until everything is well coated.  Cover and place in fridge for at least an hour, up to overnight. 
  • Preheat oven to Broil.  Place chicken pieces on a baking sheet.  Cook for 3-4 minutes, flip the chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes more.  Remove from oven.
  • In a large sauce pan heat oil over medium high heat.  Add onions and cook for 4-5 minutes until soft.  
  • Add garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.  
  • Add garam masala, cumin, turmeric, and coriander, and chili powder. Mix with onions, and cook for about 1 minute.    
  • Add tomato sauce, cayenne, salt and pepper. Stir until all the spices are well blended. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken.  
  • Add the chicken and the juices to the sauce.  Stir in the cream and cook for about 10 minutes until the cause is bubbling and thick. 
  • Serve over white rice.  Garnish with cilantro if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 541kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 178mg | Sodium: 1517mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Erin
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Course: Dinner Recipes
Cuisine: Indian
Servings: 5
Calories: 541
Keyword: chicken tikka masala
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About Erin S

Welcome to Dinners, Dishes, & Desserts where my love of food meets my busy life. My name is Erin and I’m a casual home cook who loves to feed people. On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of quick and easy recipes made mostly from scratch. My days are spent in the kitchen, creating new recipes to share with family and friends.

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4.98 from 48 votes (26 ratings without comment)

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49 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This is one of my all-time favorite things to order at an Indian restaurants! I’ll have to try out this recipe so I can eat it all week long! 🙂

  2. Hi! Is there a place on your website where there is just a list of the recipes, e.g. chicken, without having to scroll through the phots & whole recipe? I’m sorry if I’ve missed that spot on your website. Thanks!

    1. There is a visual Recipe Index that has one thumbnail sized photo of the recipe, so you can see what it is instead of just the name. You can search by all sorts of different categories – Chicken, Air Fryer, Mexican, Asian, Ground Beef, Dinner, Breafast etc.