Chicken Tikka Masala - IQS Recipes (2024)

Ingredients

Chicken Tikka

  • 600 g chicken thighs (about 4 large), cut into 3cm chunks.
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt.
  • pinch of freshly ground black pepper.
  • 1/2 lemon, juice and zest.
  • 1 cm fresh ginger, minced.
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced.
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin.
  • 1 teaspoon paprika.
  • 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder.
  • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala.
  • 1/2 cup full-fat natural yoghurt.
  • Basmati rice, to serve.
  • Steamed greens, to serve.

Masala

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil.
  • 1 brown onion, finely diced.
  • 1/4 cup coriander stems, finely diced.
  • 1 cm fresh ginger, minced.
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced.
  • 1 tablespoon ground coriander.
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric.
  • 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder.
  • 2 teaspoons paprika.
  • 1/2 cup full-fat natural yoghurt.
  • 2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped.
  • 1 cup chicken stock.
  • sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to season.
  • coriander leaves, to serve.

Directions

To make the Chicken Tikka:

1. Combine all the dry spices, salt and pepper together in a bowl. Add in the yoghurt, garlic, ginger and lemon juice and stir to combine. Add in chicken pieces and use your hands to massage the marinade all over the meat.

2. Place on a plate, cover, and allow to marinade in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, but preferably overnight.

For the Masala sauce:

3. Add olive oil and onion to a frypan on medium heat. Cook until onion is translucent. Add in coriander stems, ginger and garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Add in the dried spices and cook until fragrant. Add in the tomatoes, stock and yoghurt. Stir to combine and then allow to simmer for 20 minutes. Then season with salt and pepper.

4. Shortly before you eat, preheat your oven grill to it’s highest setting. Thread the chicken evenly onto the skewers. Balance the skewers on the rim of a baking tray, so that the meat is suspended and does not touch the tray. Place the tray into the oven about 15 cm from the source of heat and grill for 6 minutes on each side, or until brown, cooked through and charred in places.

5. When the chicken is cooked, reheat the sauce. Serve immediately with some Basmati rice and steamed green vegetables.


Note

Catering for a vegetarian mate? No worries, we also have a Paneer Tikka Masala recipe.

Chicken Tikka Masala - IQS Recipes (1)

Chicken Tikka Masala is one of the most popular chicken dishes on the interwebs! Filled with nourishing spices and succulent chicken thighs, this dish is the ultimate comfort food.

Ingredients

Chicken Tikka

  • 600 g chicken thighs (about 4 large), cut into 3cm chunks.
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt.
  • pinch of freshly ground black pepper.
  • 1/2 lemon, juice and zest.
  • 1 cm fresh ginger, minced.
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced.
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin.
  • 1 teaspoon paprika.
  • 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder.
  • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala.
  • 1/2 cup full-fat natural yoghurt.
  • Basmati rice, to serve.
  • Steamed greens, to serve.

Masala

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil.
  • 1 brown onion, finely diced.
  • 1/4 cup coriander stems, finely diced.
  • 1 cm fresh ginger, minced.
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced.
  • 1 tablespoon ground coriander.
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric.
  • 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder.
  • 2 teaspoons paprika.
  • 1/2 cup full-fat natural yoghurt.
  • 2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped.
  • 1 cup chicken stock.
  • sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to season.
  • coriander leaves, to serve.

Directions

To make the Chicken Tikka:

1. Combine all the dry spices, salt and pepper together in a bowl. Add in the yoghurt, garlic, ginger and lemon juice and stir to combine. Add in chicken pieces and use your hands to massage the marinade all over the meat.

2. Place on a plate, cover, and allow to marinade in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, but preferably overnight.

For the Masala sauce:

3. Add olive oil and onion to a frypan on medium heat. Cook until onion is translucent. Add in coriander stems, ginger and garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Add in the dried spices and cook until fragrant. Add in the tomatoes, stock and yoghurt. Stir to combine and then allow to simmer for 20 minutes. Then season with salt and pepper.

4. Shortly before you eat, preheat your oven grill to it’s highest setting. Thread the chicken evenly onto the skewers. Balance the skewers on the rim of a baking tray, so that the meat is suspended and does not touch the tray. Place the tray into the oven about 15 cm from the source of heat and grill for 6 minutes on each side, or until brown, cooked through and charred in places.

5. When the chicken is cooked, reheat the sauce. Serve immediately with some Basmati rice and steamed green vegetables.

Note

Catering for a vegetarian mate? No worries, we also have a Paneer Tikka Masala recipe.

Chicken Tikka Masala - IQS Recipes (2)

Chicken Tikka Masala - IQS Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What makes tikka masala taste good? ›

To summarise, Indian chicken tikka masala has fresh flavors due to the use of fresh tomatoes. It's creamy, rich and delicious and won't make you feel bloated as there is a very small amount of cream used. Cashews impart a magical creamy texture and flavour without making you feel heavy.

What color onion for tikka masala? ›

Onion: We used a yellow onion. Ginger: Just a nob of fresh ginger adds tons of flavor to the curry. Garlic: Let's just be honest, no savory recipe can ever be without garlic!

How to make tikka masala more red? ›

Tikka Masala can be made red with the use of Kashmiri red chilly paste or powder. It adds good colour to any gravy. Soak red chillies (dry or fresh) in water for a few hours and then grind it with water and one teaspoon oil to make a paste. Use this instead of the chilli powder for an intense red colour.

What is the main flavor in tikka masala? ›

Tikka Masala is a tomato and cream-based sauce that's smoky from the chargrilled chicken, rich and creamy, with a slight sweetness and tanginess with mild heat (although we like it hot!) punctuated by earthy spices, ginger and garlic.

Can you use coconut milk instead of cream in tikka masala? ›

Chicken tikka masala is usually made with heavy cream, but I like to use coconut milk instead; its subtle sweetness works beautifully with the spices in the dish. Serve with steamed rice.

What does tikka masala mean in English? ›

Tikka refers to grilled or roasted pieces of meat that are either marinated in yogurt or spiced water before being cooked on skewers. Masala refers to a sauce made with cream, yogurt, or tomatoes; or a mixture of spices used to flavor food.

What are the disadvantages of chicken tikka masala? ›

**Saturated Fat and Cholesterol**: Creamy or heavily sauced chicken masala dishes may contain higher levels of saturated fats and cholesterol, which can negatively impact heart health if consumed in excess.

Why is my chicken tikka masala bitter? ›

Your curry can taste bitter if the spices and garlic are burnt or if you've added too much fenugreek to the dish.

What veggies go well with tikka masala? ›

Vegetables – there are so many vegetables that go well with tikka masala. Use 2 cups of your favourite fresh or frozen vegetables. I use a mix of knobby cauliflower florets, diced carrot or sweet potato and frozen peas. Spinach leaves are a great addition too, or even a can of lentils or chickpeas for added protein.

Which tomatoes are best for curry? ›

Desi tomatoes possess the vitamins and essential nutrients in the right amount. Hence best for curry is the desi ones.

How to add more Flavour to tikka masala? ›

As well as using fresh spices in the sauce, we've finished the dish with a sprinkling of garam masala and smoked salt to give a final flavour hit and further replicate the smoky effect of the tandoor overn.

Why is my tikka masala pink? ›

Red food colouring is used to give chicken tikka masalas their bright red colour. However, food colouring has no flavour so this is done purely for appearance.

How to add more flavor to tikka masala? ›

Garnish with Fresh Coriander: Just before serving, sprinkle some freshly chopped coriander leaves over your Chicken Tikka Masala. This adds a burst of freshness and enhances the overall presentation of the dish. Add a Squeeze of Lemon: To brighten up the flavors, squeeze a little lemon juice over the finished dish.

What's the difference between chicken curry and chicken tikka masala? ›

Chicken tikka masala has more protein and less fat (7 grams) than chicken curry (4 grams) because chicken curry contains ghee or oil, whereas chicken-tikka masala does not. And that probably explains why people like it so much!

What is the difference between tikka masala and regular masala? ›

Chana masala is typically simmered on the stove until the chickpeas are tender. In contrast, tikka masala involves marinating and grilling the meat before adding it to the sauce. In terms of flavor, chana masala has a mild, earthy flavor. It is not typically as spicy as tikka masala, which can be hot and spicy.

Is chicken tikka masala a real Indian dish? ›

Chicken Tikka Masala is a classic Indian dish. Everyone loves this dish worldwide. It is a delicious combination of marinated chicken with a creamy tomato-based sauce. So, it's not hard to understand why it's become so popular Indian dish.

What's the difference between chicken tikka and chicken tikka masala? ›

Chicken tikka is often served as an appetiser or a snack, and can be enjoyed on its own or with a side of chutney or raita. Tikka masala, on the other hand, is a dish made by simmering chunks of chicken tikka in a spicy, tomato-based sauce.

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