Chef John's Chicken Tikka Masala
Chef John's Chicken Tikka Masala features tender spiced chicken simmered in a rich coconut-tomato sauce layered with garam masala, ginger, and garlic. The sauce is gently reduced for a lush, balanced heat with aromatic depth, perfect for spooning over rice or scooping with warm naan. A weeknight-friendly curry that still feels special enough for guests.
- Prep25 mins
- Cook45 mins
- Serves4
- DifficultyMedium
- 1
Gather all ingredients. Place the chicken in a bowl. Drizzle vegetable oil over the chicken and toss to coat.
- 2
Whisk salt, garam masala, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and cardamom together in a small bowl. Sprinkle the mixture over the chicken and turn to coat evenly.
- 3
Melt clarified butter in a large, heavy skillet over high heat. Cook the chicken thighs in the hot butter until browned on all sides, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate. When cool enough to handle, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- 4
Make the sauce: Set the skillet with the chicken drippings over medium-high heat. Add the onion to the skillet and cook, stirring, until it softens and turns translucent, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook until it caramelizes, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger to the tomato-onion mixture and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- 5
Pour the crushed tomatoes into the skillet. Bring to a boil, scraping the browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Add the coconut milk and chicken broth; bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the flavors blend and the sauce slightly reduces, about 15 minutes.
- 6
Stir the chicken and any accumulated juices into the sauce. Add the cilantro and red pepper flakes; bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until the chicken is cooked through and tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Calories 445.92 kcal High
- Protein 35.37 g Good Source
- Carbs 18.32 g Moderate
- Total Fat 27.08 g High
- Saturated Fat 11.53 g High
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source
- Cholesterol 167.24 mg High
- Sodium 382.77 mg Moderate
- Fiber 4.47 g Moderate
- Sugar 7.45 g Moderate
- Added Sugar 0.0 g Low Source
- Calcium 276.49 mg Good Source
- Iron 5.3 mg Good Source
- Potassium 491.98 mg Moderate
- Vitamin A 57.02 mcg_rae Low Source
- Vitamin C 11.53 mg Moderate
- Vitamin D 2.02 mcg Moderate
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Tomatoes 🍅
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Chef John's Chicken Tikka Masala is an Indian dinner recipe made with 22 ingredients. It takes about 1 hr 10 mins, serves 4, and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Black Pepper, Boneless Chicken Thigh, Cayenne Pepper, and Chicken Broth. Each serving provides about 445.92 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Chef John's Chicken Tikka Masala?
- It is an Indian recipe made with 22 ingredients, usually served for dinner or lunch.
- What is Chef John's Chicken Tikka Masala made of?
- The main ingredients are Black Pepper, Boneless Chicken Thigh, Cayenne Pepper, Chicken Broth, Coconut Milk. The full list of 22 is above.
- What goes well with Chef John's Chicken Tikka Masala?
- Explore these Indian side-dish recipes.
- How long does it take to make Chef John's Chicken Tikka Masala?
- About 1 hr 10 mins in total: 25 mins to prepare and 45 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 445.92 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Chef John's Chicken Tikka Masala easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 22 ingredients and 6 steps.
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