Chicken Tikka Masala
Tender yogurt-marinated chicken is grilled for smoky edges, then simmered in a rich tomato and cream sauce layered with cumin, paprika, ginger, and a touch of heat. Chicken Tikka Masala offers a balanced warmth and velvety texture, perfect for serving over rice on a cozy weeknight or for sharing at a casual dinner with friends.
- Prep30 mins
- Cook50 mins
- Serves4
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Chicken Tikka Masala, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 49 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 9 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 91 / 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.
- 22
- Heart Health
- 77
- Metabolic
- 36
- Digestive
- 31
- Inflammatory
- 60
- Performance
- 46
- General Wellness
- 1
Assemble all the ingredients.
- 2
In a large bowl, mix the yogurt, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, black pepper, ginger, and 1 teaspoon salt.
- 3
Add the chicken, stir to coat, cover, and chill for 1 hour.
- 4
Preheat a grill to high heat. Lightly oil the grill grate. Thread the chicken onto skewers and discard the marinade.
- 5
Grill until the juices run clear, about 5 minutes per side.
- 6
Melt the butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Cook the garlic and jalapeño for 1 minute. Season with the remaining 2 teaspoons cumin, paprika, and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Stir in the tomato sauce and cream. Simmer over low heat until the sauce thickens, about 20 minutes.
- 7
Stir in the grilled chicken and simmer for 10 minutes.
- 8
Move to a serving platter and garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve over rice.
- Calories 621.46 kcal High 31%
- Protein 60.88 g Good Source 122%
- Carbohydrate 20.68 g 8%
- Total Fat 30.41 g High 39%
- Saturated Fat 15.01 g High 75%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 303.12 mg High 101%
- Sodium 827.52 mg High 36%
- Dietary Fiber 4.73 g Moderate 17%
- Total Sugars 9.57 g --
- Added Sugars 0.11 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 271.88 mg Good Source 21%
- Iron 5.39 mg Good Source 30%
- Potassium 815.81 mg Moderate 17%
- Vitamin A 101.74 mcg Moderate 11%
- Vitamin C 8.69 mg Low Source 10%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Citrus 🍊
- Shellfish 🦐
- Milk 🥛
- Tomatoes 🍅
- Garlic 🧄
About This Recipe
Chicken Tikka Masala is an Indian dinner recipe made with 17 ingredients. It takes about 1 hr 20 mins, serves 4, and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Black Pepper, Butter, Cayenne Pepper, and Chicken Breast. Each serving provides about 621.46 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Chicken Tikka Masala?
- It is an Indian recipe made with 17 ingredients, usually served for dinner or lunch.
- What is Chicken Tikka Masala made of?
- The main ingredients are Black Pepper, Butter, Cayenne Pepper, Chicken Breast, Diced Jalapeño Peppers. The full list of 17 is above.
- What goes well with Chicken Tikka Masala?
- Explore these Indian side-dish recipes.
- How long does it take to make Chicken Tikka Masala?
- About 1 hr 20 mins in total: 30 mins to prepare and 50 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 621.46 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Chicken Tikka Masala easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 17 ingredients and 8 steps.
- Is Chicken Tikka Masala healthy?
- Chicken Tikka Masala has an easyChef Pro health score of 47/100. Per serving, it provides 621.46 calories and 60.88 g of protein, or 122% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of calcium and iron. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 827.52 mg (36% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 15.01 g (75% of the Daily Value). It contains Citrus, Shellfish, Milk, Tomatoes and Garlic, 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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