finding time for cooking

for the time-starved or curious culinary adventurer

  • Recipes By Type
    • Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
    • Bread Recipes
    • Breakfast Goodies
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes & Veggies
    • Sauces, Spices, & Other Basics
    • Snacks
  • Drinks: Cocktails & More
    • Best Cocktail Gifts: For the At-Home Bartender or Mixologist
  • Foods I’m Obsessed With
    • 30 Minutes or Less…for the Time-Challenged Cook
    • What Bread To Make (Based on Your Time)
    • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Super Healthy
    • Cooking for One
    • Soup
    • Unleavened Bread Recipes
  • About Me
    • Get In Touch!
    • How-Tos
    • Kitchen Tools I’m Obsessed With
    • Recipes Index
    • Food and Travel—Two of My Favorite Things
    • Bunion Surgery Recovery Tips

Chicken Tikka Masala

March 4, 2017

It’s funny how quickly a new dish can become a go-to.

Easy Chicken Tikka Masala | Finding Time for Cooking

Indian food has been a challenge for a long time…in restaurants, even when it’s mild it’s usually too spicy for me.  But I’ve also had several recipes I was dying to try.  The intense combination of spices, held together with creamy sauces, is just too much to resist.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

chicken-tikka-masala-bowl-2

I finally pulled myself together over winter break and gave this a try.  Part of that was just making sure I had all the spices I needed.  And I was shocked at how easy this dish was to make, how satisfying, and how great the leftovers were.  So I made it a few days later.  And the week after that.

It’s now in my regular rotation, because the lunch leftovers are unbeatable.  Pair it with some of my delish and easy homemade naan, and you’ve got an exotic and yet comforting winner.  Don’t be scared by the ingredient list, because you make the paste once and it will last you through several batches.

chicken-tikka-masala-paste-prep

For the masala paste, pulse all the ingredients in the food processor until smooth.  Set aside roughly one-sixth of the paste for making a batch of masala right now, and store the rest in the fridge or freezer. (Pro tip: if freezing, I recommend separating out into separate portions and then putting in double ziploc bags in the freezer).

chicken-tikka-masala-chicken-yogurt-spices

Marinate the diced chicken in the yogurt, lemon juice, garam masala, pepper, and ginger, mixing well.  Let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

chicken-tikka-masala-paste

chicken-tikka-masala-paste-cooking

Go ahead and get your rice cooking, this won’t take long…

Heat a drizzle of oil in a very large skillet or big saucepan on medium.  Add the serving of masala paste (should be roughly 1/4 of a cup, but I like to go a bit more).  Stir around in the pan until fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.

chicken-tikka-masala-chicken-cooking

Add your chicken and all the yogurt it was marinating in.  Cook for a couple minutes.

chicken-tikka-masala-tomato-sauce

Add the tomato puree and water, and simmer for 5-10 minutes.

Chicken tikka masala | FindingTimeForCooking

Add the coconut milk and continue simmering, for at least 10 minutes, until your chicken is fully cooked through.  You can keep simmering longer though, it gives a better flavor.  Salt as you go, tasting it from time to time.

When the chicken is cooked, assuming your sauce isn’t thick enough (mine is always pretty watery), thicken up as needed.  I usually add some tomato paste, and then combine some water and cornstarch to thicken things up (lower the heat to help it thicken a bit).

Indian food made easy...chicken tikka masala

Serve with the rice and some homemade naan.  For storing leftovers, I go ahead and stir the rice and sauce together, to keep the rice from drying out.

Chicken Tikka Masala

For the Masala Paste (makes ~6 batches of masala)

  • 2 onions (I used one yellow, one purple)
  • 5 cloves of garlic
  • 2 tablespoons of fresh ginger, paste or crushed
  • 3 tablespoons of garam masala
  • 1 tablespoon of chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon of turmeric
  • 1 tablespoon of cumin
  • 1½ teaspoons of ground cloves
  • 2 teaspoons of salt
  • ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper (I went light, as I don’t like things spicy)
  • A small pile of of cilantro stems
  • A fistful of almonds
  • The juice of one lemon

For the Masala Sauce (makes 1 batch of masala; ~4-5 servings)

  • 1 1/2 cups of tomato puree + 1/2 cup of water or broth
  • 1 14-ounce can of coconut milk (I’ve mostly used light)
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt (taste and adjust)
  • Thickening; I use cornstarch + water, as well as some tomato paste

The rest (also makes 1 batch of masala)

  • 12 ounces of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced evenly
  • 1 cup of plain 2% fat greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon of garam masala
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice (about half a lemon)
  • 2 teaspoons of black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger
  • 1 cup of uncooked basmati or jasmine rice (cooked according to your preference)
  1. Marinate the diced chicken in the yogurt, lemon juice, garam masala, pepper, and ginger, mixing well.  Let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
  2. For the masala paste, pulse all the ingredients in the food processor until smooth.  Set aside roughly one-sixth of the paste for making a batch of masala right now, and store the rest in the fridge or freezer. (Pro tip: if freezing, I recommend separating out into separate portions and then putting in double ziploc bags in the freezer)
  3. Go ahead and get your rice cooking.
  4. Heat a drizzle of oil in a very large skillet or big saucepan on medium.  Add the serving of masala paste (should be roughly 1/4 of a cup, but I like to go a bit more).  Stir around in the pan until fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
  5. Add your chicken and all the yogurt it was marinating in.  Cook for a couple minutes.
  6. Add the tomato puree and water, and simmer for 5-10 minutes.  Then add the coconut milk and continue simmering, for at least 10 minutes but until your chicken is fully cooked through.  You can keep simmering longer though, it gives a better flavor.  Salt as you go, tasting it from time to time.
  7. Assuming your sauce isn’t thick enough (mine is always pretty watery), thicken as needed.  I usually add some tomato paste, and then combine some water and cornstarch to thicken things up (lower the heat to help it thicken a bit).
  8. Serve with the rice.  For storing leftovers, I go ahead and stir the rice and sauce together, to keep the rice from drying out.

The masala paste and sauce recipe are from Pinch of Yum, and I’ve used the instructions from Savory Tooth for the chicken prep

Other easy chicken dinner recipes you might like:

  • Apricot Balsamic Chicken with Rosemary
  • Melt-In-Your-Mouth Chicken
  • Lemon Shallot Chicken
  • Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken
  • Chetna’s Easy Chicken Curry

Pin this image!

Easy Chicken Tikka Masala...make one batch of the paste & you'll be able to throw together a delicious meal within half an hour

1 Comment CATEGORIES // Foods I'm Obsessed With, Recipe Experimentation

« Chocolate, Cinnamon, & Almond Loaf Cake (gluten-free)
Almond Magic Cake »

Trackbacks

  1. Easy Homemade Naan Bread – finding time for cooking says:
    March 4, 2017 at 7:57 pm

    […] a while.  However, when I decided to try my hand for the first time at Indian cooking with this chicken tikka masala over winter break this year, I knew that naan had to be in the cards for me […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About Me

Welcome to my little corner of the internet! I created this blog for people who love cooking & baking but are challenged to find the time and energy to do it. Recipes run the gamut from super healthy to indulgent, but the focus is on using REAL food no matter what.

Follow Along!

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Recent IG Adventures!

This adult take on a cherry lemonade (with gin, my This adult take on a cherry lemonade (with gin, my true love) is so delicious and refreshing…and has a secret ingredient to get that intense cherry flavor! 

Get the recipe by tapping on the link in my IG bio and choosing this pic—> @findingtimeforcooking 
#cocktailrecipes #sanguemorlacco #cherrylemonade #gincocktails
I am OBSESSED with key lime pie, and never knew ho I am OBSESSED with key lime pie, and never knew how easy it is to make at home! This is the best key lime pie recipe around, a perfect balance of tart & sweet, the creamiest custardy filling, and a sweet, buttery graham cracker crust 😍 

Get the recipe yourself by tapping the link in my IG bio & choosing this photo —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#keylimepie #keylime #easydessert #classicdessert
Looking for a new healthy go-to dish?? This “loa Looking for a new healthy go-to dish?? This “loaded” Thai chicken salad only takes 15 minutes to whip up and is packed with veggies, texture, & flavor! What really makes the dish is the sweet-spicy-savory dressing… *chefs kiss* 

Tap the link in my IG bio & click on this photo to see the recipe!
#healthyrecipes #thaiflavors #healthydinner #cabbagerecipe
These super easy jam & goat cheese phyllo cups mad These super easy jam & goat cheese phyllo cups made the perfect fancy appetizer for Night To Be…and they’re ready in just 15-ish minutes! 

Tap the link in my bio & click this photo to see the recipe! —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#appetizers #phyllodough #goatcheese #easyrecipes
This crazy easy orange curd is the perfect balance This crazy easy orange curd is the perfect balance of sweet, tart, & just a hint of floral…and only takes 5-10 minutes to make! Perfect heaped on crepes, cakes, and more 💕

Tap the link in my bio & click on this photo to see the recipe —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#citrusfruit #orangecurd #glutenfree #cookingtips
Two kitchen hacks for the price of one!!! 🎉🐓 Two kitchen hacks for the price of one!!! 🎉🐓 How to make the easiest, juiciest (hands-off) poached chicken breasts, & then how to shred chicken in 10 seconds. YES, you read that right!! These two techniques combined have been a mainstay for me lately, critical in helping me have something healthy and fast around at all times. 

Check out my Reel in the feed as well, & click on the link in my bio then tap this pic to get the recipe! —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#kitchenhacks #cookinghealthy #cookinghacks #shreddedchicken
I’m ready for the amaretto sour to make a comeba I’m ready for the amaretto sour to make a comeback! And this recipe (including bourbon) is just the ticket…a little sweet, a little bitter, and a little boozy. 

Tap the link in my IG bio then tap this photo to see the (super easy) recipe —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#amaretto #easycocktails #amarettosour #homebartender
These delicious spicy unleavened cheese straws are These delicious spicy unleavened cheese straws are my favorite new recipe for the Days of Unleavened Bread! They’re super easy, can be frozen before or after baking (make ahead!) and honestly would make an awesome appetizer any time of year. 

Tap the link in my IG bio (@findingtimeforcooking) then click on this photo to see the recipe post!
#unleavenedbread #cheeselover #appetizerideas #bakingfromscratch
The ultimate “don’t judge a book by its cover” recipe…these dark chocolate sables are maybe the best chocolate cookie ever! Complex, rich without being too sweet, melt in your mouth…and perfect for a late afternoon snack 😍 Shoutout #smittenkitchen for the recipe and reco!

Tap the link in my bio & choose this photo to see the recipe! —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#bakingfromscratch #chocolatelovers #sablé #chocoholic
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Popular Posts

Cherry Almond Scones

Falling In Love With Middle Eastern Cuisine: The Food of Israel & Jordan

Peach Cupcakes With Peach Cream Cheese Frosting

Paul Hollywood’s Chelsea Buns

One-Skillet Thai Ground Turkey Curry with Rice

Recent Posts

  • Cherry & Lemon Gin Cocktail…a.k.a. Cher…
  • The (IMO) Best Homemade Key Lime Pie
  • Super Easy & Healthy “Loaded” Tha…

Categories

  • Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
  • Bread Recipes
  • Breakfast Goodies
  • Cooking for One
  • Desserts
  • Drinks: Cocktails & More
  • Eating Out
  • Family Secret Recipes
  • Food-Related Miscellany
  • Foods I'm Obsessed With
  • Gluten-Free Recipes
  • Go-To Recipes
  • How-Tos
  • Kitchen Gear
  • Main Dishes
  • Pasta Recipes
  • Recipe Experimentation
  • Sauces, Spices, & Other Basics
  • Side Dishes & Veggies
  • Snacks
  • Soup
  • Super Healthy
  • Travel and Food

Privacy Policy & Disclosures

Copyright & Terms of Use

Copyright 2022 Finding Time For Cooking

9 shares