A little adventure for your everyday table
United Kingdom · Homemade, your way

Chicken Tikka Masala

Roast spiced yogurt-marinated chicken and fold it into a tomato-cream sauce for a British curry-house-style chicken tikka masala.

Prep time
20 min
Cook time
40 min
Total time
1 hr 30 min
Servings
4
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Family FriendlyMake Ahead
Homemade chicken tikka masala in a spiced sauce.
Photo: Rezwalker · Source · CC BY-SA 3.0. Serving suggestion.

Roasting the chicken separately adds browned edges before it meets the sauce. This home version uses a hot oven rather than a tandoor and keeps the chili level moderate. A little onion gives the sauce texture, while cream rounds out the tomatoes. Prepare the sauce during roasting so both components are ready to combine.

Let’s make it

Chicken Tikka Masala

Serves 4 · Prep 20 min · Cook 40 min · Rest 30 min · Total 1 hr 30 min

Ingredients

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Mix chicken, yogurt, lemon, 1 teaspoon garam masala, cumin, paprika, and half the salt. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Heat oven to 450°F (230°C).
  2. Arrange chicken on a foil-lined rimmed sheet, leaving excess marinade behind. Roast for 15 to 18 minutes, until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). Discard unused marinade.
  3. Meanwhile, cook onion in oil for 8 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, and remaining garam masala; stir 1 minute. Add tomatoes, water, and remaining salt; simmer 15 minutes.
  4. Add roasted chicken and cream to the sauce. Simmer gently for 5 minutes, until hot throughout, then serve.

A few kitchen notes

  • Space chicken pieces apart to encourage browning.

Ingredient substitutions

  • Use boneless thighs; roast until they reach 165°F (74°C).

Storage & reheating

Refrigerate within 2 hours for 3 days. Reheat chicken and sauce to 165°F (74°C).

What to serve with it

Serve with steamed basmati rice and a cucumber salad.

A conversation around the table

Comments & kitchen questions

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Questions from the kitchen

Can I make Chicken Tikka Masala ahead?

Refrigerate within 2 hours for 3 days. Reheat chicken and sauce to 165°F (74°C).

What if I can’t find an ingredient?

Use boneless thighs; roast until they reach 165°F (74°C).