Description
Spicy Indian chicken tikka masala brings comfort and bold flavors to your dinner table. Marinated tender chicken simmered in a creamy tomato sauce delivers a delightful culinary journey you won’t forget.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
Wet Ingredients and Dairy:
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 (8 ounce / 226 grams) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Whisk yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, paprika, garam masala, ginger, salt, and garlic into a robust marinade. Coat chicken thoroughly and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to infuse deep flavors.
- Heat outdoor grill or grill pan to high temperature (around 450°F). Discard remaining marinade to prevent cross-contamination.
- Thread marinated chicken onto clean skewers, ensuring even spacing. Grill chicken for 4-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and exterior develops beautiful char marks.
- In a heavy-bottomed skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté finely chopped jalapeño and minced garlic until fragrant, approximately 45-60 seconds.
- Pour tomato sauce into skillet, reducing heat to low. Allow sauce to simmer and develop rich complexity for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Gently incorporate grilled chicken pieces into simmering sauce. Pour heavy cream and sprinkle fresh cilantro, continuing to cook for additional 8-10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let rest for 3-5 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve piping hot over fluffy basmati rice, garnishing with extra cilantro if desired.
Notes
- Maximize marinade flavor by poking small holes in chicken pieces, allowing deeper seasoning penetration.
- Consider using boneless, skinless chicken thighs for more tender and juicy results compared to chicken breasts.
- Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing jalapeño and garam masala quantities according to personal heat preference.
- Create dairy-free version by substituting heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a lighter, plant-based alternative.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 36 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 438 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 634 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 133 mg