Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe Easy Homemade Creamy Indian Dinner
A creamy homemade chicken tikka masala recipe that is flavorful, easy to make on weeknights, and perfect for family dinners. This recipe uses simple ingredients and yields a luscious, silky sauce without heaviness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus optional overnight marinating)
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients
- 2 pounds (900g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup (120ml) full-fat plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons garam masala
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup (240ml) full-fat heavy cream
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil (vegetable or canola)
- Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken (15 minutes to overnight): Mix chicken thighs with yogurt, 1 tablespoon garam masala, half the minced garlic, half the grated ginger, salt, and pepper. Coat all pieces and let sit at least 15 minutes or overnight in the fridge for best results.
- Cook the Chicken (8–10 minutes): Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken in a single layer and sear about 4 minutes per side until browned but not fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics (5 minutes): Lower heat to medium, add remaining oil. Cook chopped onion slowly until soft and golden, about 5 minutes. Add remaining garlic, ginger, chili powder, cumin, and remaining garam masala. Stir constantly for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Build the Sauce (10 minutes): Stir in tomato paste and cook 2 minutes, stirring often. Slowly add 1 cup water or chicken broth, scraping pan bottom to deglaze. Simmer gently for 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Add Chicken and Simmer (10 minutes): Return chicken to skillet, coat with sauce. Cover and simmer on low for 8–10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Finish with Cream (2 minutes): Remove pan from heat. Gradually stir in heavy cream until sauce is rich orange and velvety smooth. Adjust salt and chili to taste.
Notes
[‘Marinate chicken for at least 15 minutes; overnight is best for tenderness and flavor.’, ‘Use chicken thighs for juiciness; breasts can be used but may dry out faster.’, ‘Add cream off the heat to prevent curdling and keep sauce silky.’, ‘If sauce thickens too much, add water or broth to loosen; if too thin, simmer longer uncovered.’, ‘Salt sauce gradually and taste often to avoid blandness.’, ‘Avoid overcrowding pan when searing chicken to get good browning.’]
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 480
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 32
Keywords: chicken tikka masala, Indian dinner, creamy chicken recipe, easy weeknight meal, garam masala, homemade tikka masala