Classic-Style Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken tikka masala pairs yogurt-marinated chicken with a gently spiced tomato and cream sauce, layered with garam masala, cumin, coriander, ginger, garlic, and green chiles. Fresh cilantro adds a bright finish, while rice or naan is ideal for serving alongside the rich, warming sauce.
- Prep35 mins
- Cook55 mins
- Serves4
- DifficultyHard
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Classic-Style Chicken Tikka Masala, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 54 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 11 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 90 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Unprocessed or minimally processed
- 1 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 48
- Heart Health
- 76
- Metabolic
- 40
- Digestive
- 25
- Inflammatory
- 59
- Performance
- 52
- General Wellness
- 1
Make the chicken: Combine yogurt, garam masala, paprika, black pepper, salt, cayenne pepper, and coriander in a large bowl. Add chicken strips and toss to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
- 2
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Grease a rimmed baking sheet.
- 3
Remove chicken from marinade and place onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece.
- 4
Bake in the preheated oven until browned and no longer pink inside, about 10 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove from the oven and set aside.
- 5
Make the sauce: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and cook, stirring gently, until lightly toasted and aromatic, about 3 minutes. Add onion; cook and stir until onion begins to soften, 4 to 5 minutes. Add chile peppers, garlic, and ginger; continue to cook and stir until onion is browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, and water; cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes begin to break down, about 10 minutes.
- 6
Add garam masala, coriander, turmeric, and salt, then stir in chicken and cream until well combined; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Garnish with cilantro.
- Calories 398.93 kcal Moderate 20%
- Protein 30.21 g Good Source 60%
- Carbohydrate 17.65 g 6%
- Total Fat 22.87 g High 29%
- Saturated Fat 7.73 g High 39%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 101.57 mg High 34%
- Sodium 174.98 mg Moderate 8%
- Dietary Fiber 5.09 g Moderate 18%
- Total Sugars 7.05 g --
- Added Sugars 0.65 g Low Source 1%
- Calcium 97.39 mg Low Source 7%
- Iron 3.07 mg Moderate 17%
- Potassium 519.19 mg Moderate 11%
- Vitamin A 72.82 mcg Low Source 8%
- Vitamin C 18.73 mg Good Source 21%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Milk 🥛
- Tomatoes 🍅
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Classic Style Chicken Tikka Masala is an Indian dinner recipe made with 22 ingredients. It takes about 1 hr 30 mins, serves 4, and is rated hard. Key ingredients include Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Chicken Breast, and Fresh Cilantro. Each serving provides about 398.93 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Classic-Style Chicken Tikka Masala?
- It is an Indian recipe made with 22 ingredients, usually served for dinner or lunch.
- What is Classic-Style Chicken Tikka Masala made of?
- The main ingredients are Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Chicken Breast, Fresh Cilantro, Fresh Ginger. The full list of 22 is above.
- What goes well with Classic-Style Chicken Tikka Masala?
- Explore these Indian side-dish recipes.
- How long does it take to make Classic-Style Chicken Tikka Masala?
- About 1 hr 30 mins in total: 35 mins to prepare and 55 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 398.93 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Classic-Style Chicken Tikka Masala easy to make?
- This recipe is rated hard, with 22 ingredients and 6 steps.
- Is Classic-Style Chicken Tikka Masala healthy?
- Classic-Style Chicken Tikka Masala has an easyChef Pro health score of 50/100. Per serving, it provides 398.93 calories and 30.21 g of protein, or 60% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of vitamin C. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 174.98 mg (8% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 7.73 g (39% of the Daily Value). It contains Milk, Tomatoes, Garlic and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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