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Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala

5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Maceration Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Cuisine India
Calories 180 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the chicken marination:

  • 500g boneless and skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 125g plain yoghurt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 and 1/2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
  • Salt to taste

For the sauce

  • 1 large onion cut into small cubes
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 3-4 green cardamoms
  • 2 tablespoons of garlic and ginger paste
  • 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of cumin powder
  • 1and 1/2 teaspoons coriander powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
  • 250g tomato puree
  • 50g cashew nut or 200 ml cream
  • 3 tablespoons of oil
  • Salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.
  • In a bowl mix the chicken thighs with all the ingredients for marination and let them marinate for an hour or overnight into the fridge.
  • Soak the cashew nuts into 150ml water for 1 hour. Blend them until you get a smooth paste. If you use cream, this step is not necessary.
  • Put oil in a frying pan or a skillet on medium-high heat. When it is hot enough fry the marinated pieces on both sides until brown. Remove and set aside.
  • Add 1 tablespoon oil to this same pan. Add chopped onion, bay leaf, cinnamon and cardamoms.
  • When the onions are translucent, add garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric and chilli powder. Add a splash of water so that they do not burn. Fry until the oil separates from the spices.
  • Add tomato puree and continue frying.
  • When the tomato is well-integrated with the spices, add the fried chicken pieces. Mix and sauté for a few seconds more.
  • Add half a glass of water and adjust the salt. Stir well and cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes or until the meat is tender.
  • Add the cashew paste or cream. Mix and cook for another two minutes.
  • Sprinkle with Kasuri Methi (dried fenugreek leaves) and let it rest for a few minutes with the lid on before serving.
  • Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot with rice or Naan.