Creamy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

By
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm is a renowned British food writer, classically trained chef, teacher, and author with over 25 years of experience writing about British food and cooking.
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Updated on 04/14/23
Chicken-Tikka-Masala
Westend61 / Getty Images
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Total: 65 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
432 Calories
27g Fat
7g Carbs
40g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 432
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 27g 35%
Saturated Fat 8g 42%
Cholesterol 139mg 46%
Sodium 197mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 7g 3%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 40g
Vitamin C 7mg 36%
Calcium 96mg 7%
Iron 2mg 13%
Potassium 515mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Fans of Chicken Tikka Masala claim it is the new British national dish. It can rightly claim to be a British favourite. This recipe is quick and easy to make and you can adjust the amount of chili powder to how hot you like it. One tsp of chili powder will give you a mildly spiced curry.

Ingredients

  • 4 free-range skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-centimeter (½-inch cubes)

  • 2 1/2 centimeters (1 inch) fresh ginger, peeled and grated

  • 1 garlic clove, finely diced

  • Dash salt

  • Dash freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/2 cup (small handful) fresh coriander, finely chopped, plus extra for garnish

  • Zest of 1 lime

  • Juice of 1 lime

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 1 teaspoon chilli powder

  • 1 red onion, roughly chopped

  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 10 ounces (250 milliliters) light cream, or plain yogurt

  • 1 tablespoon tomato puree

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a large stainless steel or glass bowl place the chicken with the ginger, garlic, salt, pepper, chopped coriander, lime juice and zest with 1 tbsp of the oil. Stir then cover with a clean cloth, leave to one side for 30 minutes.

  3. After 30 mins, heat one tbsp of the oil in a large frying pan or wok add the chicken and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until browned all over.

  4. Remove the chicken from the pan and put to one side. In the same pan heat the remaining oil and gently cook the onion and chili powder for 5 minutes. Add the turmeric and ground cumin, stir and cook for another minute.

  5. Stir in the cream and gently simmer for 5 minutes. Add the chicken and simmer for another 5 minutes. Add the tomato puree, and stir. Finally, add the lemon juice. Cook for one minute more then serve garnished with fresh coriander. Boiled rice, warm naan bread or chapatis are delicious served alongside.


This version of Chicken Tikka is very creamy if you like a drier version then check out my other recipe for a drier sauce. Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe also, if you like to watch and learn, there's even a video to accompany the recipe.

 

Brief History of Chicken Tikka Masala

Despite, or maybe because, Chicken Tikka Masala is considered a British national dish, belief has it; it came from the days of British colonial subjugation of India. Not so. Without a doubt, the components of the dish do originate in the sub-continent, the finished Tikka is a very British one with many claims to the inventor.  Most certainly it is not steeped in history or heritage, it is a product of mass immigration into Great Britain in the 1950s and the rise of Indian Restaurants. There is little chance you will find the cream in this recipe in India.