Authentic Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe| Video - NISH KITCHEN (2024)

Skip the takeaway and jazz up your dinner with this delicious, flavorful and authentic chicken tikka masala recipe. It’s all about grilled chicken pieces in a rich tomato-based sauce for a lip-smacking meal you’ll want again and again. Serve this with naan or rice, and pappadums for an awesome, flavor-packed meal!

Authentic Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe| Video - NISH KITCHEN (1)

Even though life is super busy these days, sometimes I try to find time to cook and enjoy classic recipes. This is the kind of comfort food that make me feel at home. And I want to enjoy this day with a big bowl of this chicken tikka masala and obviously, a big, fluffy naan to dunk in that rich, colourful sauce. A super satisfying, comforting meal, indeed!

Obviously, this chicken tikka masala paired with rice or naan makes for a simple dinner. However, it’s also perfect when you want to throw a party.

This authentic chicken tikka masala recipe is all aboutchicken cooked in a delicately spiced sauce. The tomato based sauce makes this absolutely lip-smacking. There are a few tomato based curries in Indian cuisine. I’m talking butter chicken, paneer butter masala and this tikka masala curry. To be honest, it’s hard to pick a favorite.

Authentic Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe| Video - NISH KITCHEN (2)

This curry is not a simple recipe. And not a quick one at all. In fact, it’s a three step process that involves marinating the chicken, grilling the tikkas and lastly preparing the curry. Ok, let’s go through each and every step in detail.

The recipe for this chicken tikka masala starts with marinating the chicken pieces. Actually, the marination itself is a two-step process. First, chicken is marinated with salt and lemon juice for ten minutes. Then it’s marinated with a mixture of garlic, ginger, cumin, ground coriander, garam masala, chili powder, paprika, and yogurt for another two hours. A tad of oil keeps it moist while grilling.

Now the grilling. Well, this is the best part of the recipe. Thread the chicken pieces onto skewers and grill them. Just sit back and relax until they are done. Or you can start making the sauce.

Authentic Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe| Video - NISH KITCHEN (3)

To make the sauce, throw in some onions into hot oil and sauté until lightly browned. Add ginger and let it release all its awesome flavors. Next, all the ground spices – turmeric, coriander, paprika and chili powder – goes in. The tomato paste and the canned tomatoes give this curry its beautiful red color. Substitute the canned tomatoes with fresh ones if you like. Finely chop two large tomatoes and add it to the curry to make thick sauce. Canned tomatoes are more convenient, so I decided to go that way.

Add cream to make the sauce rich and luscious. Finally, a touch of garam masala and plenty of coriander (cilantro) leaves. And the tender grilled chicken goes into the sauce to make lip-smacking chicken tikka masala.

Doesn’t this authentic chicken tikka masala recipesound totally delicious?

Authentic Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe| Video - NISH KITCHEN (4)

Make this chicken tikka masala in Instant Pot – Recipe here.

More Authentic Indian Recipes

  • Fish Tikka Masala
  • Chicken Tikka
  • Butter Chicken
  • Tandoori Chicken
  • Chicken Lollipop
  • Chicken Vindaloo
  • Chicken Madras
  • Chicken Jalfrezi
  • Chicken Korma
  • Lamb Rogan Josh
  • Paneer Butter Masala

Authentic Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe| Video - NISH KITCHEN (5)

Jazz up your dinner with this flavor-packed curry.

Prep Time30 minutes

Cook Time45 minutes

Total Time1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 600 g chicken thigh fillets, cut into cubes
  • Marinate Chicken:
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 6 garlic cloves
  • 3 cm piece fresh ginger
  • 1 ½ tsp cumin seeds
  • ½ tsp ground coriander, coriander powder
  • ½ tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp red chili powder
  • 2 tbsp yogurt
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • Salt to taste

CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA:

  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 tsp minced ginger, ginger paste
  • ½ tsp ground turmeric, turmeric powder
  • 2 tsp ground coriander, coriander powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp red chili powder
  • 1 tbsp tomato puree, tomato paste
  • ¼ cup canned tomatoes or 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • ¾ cup fresh cream
  • ¼ tsp garam masala
  • A handful coriander, cilantro leaves, chopped
  • Salt to taste
  • Water
  • Naan or rice, to serve

Instructions

  1. Place chicken pieces in a large bowl. Rub with lemon juice and enough salt. Marinate for 10 minutes in the refrigerator.
  2. Meanwhile, place garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, garam masala, chili powder, paprika and yogurt in a blender. Process until smooth. Add this paste to the bowl of chicken. Add in oil and mix well. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight if possible.
  3. When you are ready, preheat grill. Thread the chicken pieces onto skewers. Grill, turning occasionally, for 15 – 20 minutes or until cooked through. Remove chicken from skewers. Set aside.
  4. Meanwhile heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onions. Saute for 2-3 minutes or until lightly browned. Add ginger. Saute until aromatic. Add ground turmeric, ground coriander, paprika and red chili powder. Saute for a minute. Add tomato paste and fry for a few seconds. Now add in the tomatoes. Saute until they are soft and mushy. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  5. Add lemon juice and cream. Add in enough water to make a thick sauce. Season with salt. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes. Add more water if needed.
  6. Add garam masala and coriander (cilantro) leaves. Heat through. Stir in the grilled chicken. Garnish with more coriander leaves if you like. Serve with naan, roti or rice.

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

4 Servings

Amount Per ServingCalories 403Total Fat 57gSaturated Fat 18gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 37gCholesterol 243mgSodium 752mgCarbohydrates 47gFiber 11gSugar 7gProtein 45g

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The homemade tandoori paste makes this tandoori chicken a stunner.

Like this authentic chicken tikka masala recipe? Then join Nish Kitchen on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram or YouTube. Also, check out:

  • Chicken Tikka Kebab
  • Chicken Tikka Rice Bowl
  • Chicken Tikka Biryani
Authentic Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe| Video - NISH KITCHEN (2024)

FAQs

Is chicken tikka masala authentic? ›

While many people assume that this dish originated in India, the most popular origin story places its roots in Scotland when a Bengali chef had to improvise in a jiffy. Today, many consider it to be the national dish of the UK. The dish is celebrated for embracing the diverse and ancient heritage of the islands.

What is the difference between chicken tikka masala and chicken tikka curry? ›

The only major difference that can be seen is that tikka masala contains more masala or spices in it. Tikka and tikka masala are of Indian origin. In tikka preparation, boneless chicken pieces are baked along with skewers in an oven made of clay called a tandoor.

What makes tikka masala taste good? ›

Originating from the Indian subcontinent, this dish is known for its rich flavor and comforting appeal. Bite-sized chicken pieces are marinated in a mixture of yogurt, cumin, paprika, and garam masala to tenderize and flavor the meat.

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

Tikka masala is pieces of meat or chicken marinated with spices, whereas garam masala is the term used for 'hot spices' that are not spicy but can keep the body warm. Garam masala powders may contain chilli and peppers, although they can be aromatic but are not spicy.

Do Indians eat tikka masala? ›

Tikka masala has dietary and regional variations and is a popular Indian dish. Tikka masala is another name of chicken tikka masala. We make this spice curry with tender roasted marinated chicken chunks. Anyone can enjoy this delicious dish anytime as it serves hot in Indian restaurants.

Is tikka masala actually Indian? ›

It is widely believed that chicken tikka masala was invented in the United Kingdom in the 1970s by Indian chefs trying to adapt their traditional dishes to Western tastes. Others believe it originated in India, but it became popular in the UK after it was introduced by immigrants moving to Britain.

Can I use yogurt instead of heavy cream in tikka masala? ›

So, instead of cream, I use yogurt and butter (cream's close cousin) to get that rich and velvety tomato gravy for my Chicken Tikka Masala.

Which is better chicken tikka masala or chicken vindaloo? ›

Vindaloo is known for its spicy and tangy profile, often made with vinegar and hot spices. Tikka Masala, on the other hand, has a creamy tomato-based sauce with milder spices, resulting in a rich and mildly spiced flavor. Your preference depends on your taste for spice and degree of creaminess.

Is tikka masala healthier than butter chicken? ›

Regarding nutrition, Butter Chicken and Tikka Masala are high in calories, fat, and sodium. Butter Chicken has more fat and calories than Tikka Masala due to the use of cream and butter in the sauce. However, Tikka Masala has more sodium than Butter Chicken due to the use of canned tomato puree.

What are the disadvantages of chicken tikka masala? ›

Skip: Chicken Tikka Masala

But like many Indian dishes that were originally low fat, the modern recipe for chicken tikka masala is anything but. An average portion has whopping 1,249 calories and 90.8 grams of fat. A lot of that comes from the ghee and heavy cream.

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 to add to shop bought tikka masala? ›

Add more spices: Store-bought curry sauces often lack the depth of flavour that homemade sauces have. To remedy this, you can add more spices like cumin, turmeric, coriander, and garam masala. Use fresh ginger and garlic: Fresh ginger and garlic add a lot of flavour to curries.

Is tikka masala more spicy than butter chicken? ›

Butter Chicken is much more creamy and rich due to the addition of a generous amount of butter. The Butter Chicken sauce is pureed until smooth, while Chicken Tikka Masala keeps the tomatoes and onions in chunks to add more texture to the sauce. And, Butter Chicken is much less spicy than Chicken Tikka Masala.

Why do you add garam masala at the end of cooking? ›

Fresh and fragrant

Dev Biswal explains: 'Generally, it's better to add garam masala at the end of the cooking process, as it works on an aromatic level, raising the whole nature of the dish. ' So stir a little into your curry just before serving to release all those fresh, vibrant aromas.

Are butter chicken and tikka masala the same? ›

The main difference between butter chicken and tandoori chicken tikka masala is the level of creaminess; butter chicken is much creamier, whereas chicken tikka masala relies on tomatoes and other spices, giving it its earthy and spicy flavor profile.

Which Indian dish is actually British? ›

We all love a traditional and heart-warming curry from time to time, and you may be surprised to discover that one of India's most infamous dishes is actually thought to be a British invention!

Why is chicken tikka masala so popular in India? ›

Chicken tikka masala is a national favorite food of India. There are different theories regarding its origin. it is also considered a historical dish of the subcontinent. It is roughly dated 5,000 years ago and traditionally cooked in the tandoor (oven) in Indian culture.

Where was chicken tikka masala originally made? ›

Ali Ahmed Aslam is said to have invented chicken tikka masala at his Glasgow restaurant in the 1970s. With its chunks of spiced chicken surrounded by a rich tomato and yogurt-based sauce, chicken tikka masala is one of the UK's most beloved dishes.

What is England's national dish? ›

As well as there is no single official National Day in the UK, there is not one single national dish of Britain, mainly because the UK is made up of four separate countries, each of which have their own national dishes: Chicken Tikka Masala in England; Haggis in Scotland; Welsh Cawl in Wales; and Irish Stew in Ireland.

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