Description
Succulent chicken tikka masala combines tender marinated chicken with a creamy, spice-rich sauce from North Indian cuisine. Delightful blend of aromatic spices and yogurt-based marinade creates a memorable dining experience you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) chicken, boneless and skinless
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 2 tsps grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tsps brown sugar
- 2 tbsps vegetable oil
- 2 tbsps butter
- 1 large sweet onion, finely diced
- 8 oz (227 g) tomato sauce (unseasoned)
- 1.25 cups (296 ml) heavy cream
- 0.25 cup (59 ml) water (only if needed)
- chopped cilantro
- naan bread
- cooked basmati rice
Instructions
- Marination: Blend marinade ingredients in a large bowl, thoroughly coating chicken pieces. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or ideally overnight to intensify flavor profiles.
- Searing Chicken: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high temperature. Cook chicken in batches, creating a golden exterior by allowing pieces to sear undisturbed for 1 minute per side. Brown thoroughly for approximately 5 minutes, then transfer to a reserved plate.
- Aromatics Foundation: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté onions until translucent. Scrape caramelized remnants from the pan’s surface to capture enhanced flavor dimensions.
- Spice Activation: Introduce ginger and garlic, stirring briefly. Sprinkle brown sugar, coriander, cumin, paprika, garam masala, and salt. Toast spices for 15 seconds to unleash their aromatic potential.
- Sauce Development: Stream tomato sauce into the skillet, simmering and stirring periodically. Reduce for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens and develops a rich, deep coloration.
- Cream Integration: Fold heavy cream into the sauce, ensuring smooth incorporation and maintaining a consistent texture.
- Final Cooking: Return seared chicken and accumulated juices to the pan. Simmer for 8-10 minutes, confirming chicken is fully cooked and sauce reaches desired consistency. Adjust thickness by adding water if necessary.
- Presentation: Remove from heat and plate over basmati rice. Accompany with warm naan bread and garnish with fresh cilantro for an authentic culinary experience.
Notes
- Marinate Wisely: Letting chicken sit in marinade overnight intensifies flavors and tenderizes meat, transforming an ordinary dish into an extraordinary culinary experience.
- Batch Cooking Technique: Sauté chicken in separate batches to achieve perfect golden-brown crust without steaming, ensuring each piece develops maximum flavor and crispy exterior.
- Spice Awakening Trick: Toast spices briefly before adding liquid ingredients to unlock their essential oils, creating deeper, more complex flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.
- Sauce Consistency Control: Adjust sauce thickness by adding small amounts of water if needed, maintaining a smooth, rich texture that clings perfectly to chicken pieces.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg