Tikka Marsala Chicken — Rich, Spiced Tomato-Cream Curry
Tender marinated chicken simmered in a creamy, spiced tomato sauce — chicken tikka masala is a classic comfort dish with bold, aromatic flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1.5 lbs chicken thighs or breasts, cubed
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp salt
For the Sauce:
- 2 tbsp butter or ghee
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- 1½ cups crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cumin
- Salt to taste
- ½–¾ cup heavy cream or coconut cream
- Optional: 1 tsp dried fenugreek leaves
- Cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Marinate chicken in yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, and spices for 30 minutes or overnight.
- Cook chicken in a skillet or grill pan until browned and cooked through. Set aside.
- In a skillet, sauté onion in butter until golden. Add garlic and ginger; cook 1 minute.
- Add tomatoes and spices. Simmer 10 minutes.
- Stir in cream and chicken. Simmer 5–7 minutes.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve with rice or naan.
Notes
- Use coconut cream for dairy-free version.
- Adjust spice level to taste.
- Store leftovers for 3–4 days or freeze.