Easy Chicken Tikka Masala
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My family loves Indian food and especially this easy chicken tikka masala. Both of my little girls eat it just as well as my husband and I. This is a super simple, 1 pan recipe so that makes it even better. Though I think at least 50% of the reason they like it so much is because they love Naan. My naan recipe is amazing and addicting so make sure you make a batch of it when you make any Indian food at home!
PrintEasy Chicken Tikka Masala
This chicken tikka masala is super easy, full of flavor, and only dirties 1 pot to cook all of it in.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes active, 1 hour inactive
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes plus marinating time
- Yield: Serves 6-8 1x
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
1 ½ pounds chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs
8 oz or 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 Tablespoon garam masala
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon Juice
1 teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
Sauce-
15 oz can tomato sauce (not pasta sauce)
1 ½ cup heavy cream
6 cloves garlic, minced fine
4 teaspoons garam masala
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
½–1 diced jalapeno, seeds removed, optional (if you want a spicier tikka masala)
2 Tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
Cooked long grain rice for serving
Naan, optional
Instructions
Pat dry the chicken and cut into 1-inch chunks. In a large Ziplock bag or bowl combine the yogurt, garam masala, lemon juice, pepper, and ground ginger. Whisk till well combined. Add the chicken and mix to coat chicken. Cover and place in fridge at least 1 hour or even overnight.
Heat a large non-stick pan over high heat until very hot (no need for oil). Add half the chicken pieces and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side till the chicken is nicely seared. Remove partially cooked chicken to a plate and repeat with the second half of the chicken.
In a now empty pan, reduce heat to medium and add all the sauce ingredients except cilantro and stir till combined. Add the chicken pieces trying to not let the drippings on the plate go into the pan. Press down on the chicken to submerge them in the pan and bring to a simmer.
Gently simmer for about 20-25 minutes till chicken is cooked through and sauce has slightly thickened.
Add chopped cilantro and stir to combine. Serve over rice and with naan, if desired.
Notes
My kids prefer it when I don’t put any jalapeños in it. But if I were making it just for myself I would put at least half of one in.
I made this for my husband and his family and they were all obsessed and have wanted me to make it again ever since! So mouthwatering and very flavorful !!!