Hey there, fellow food lovers! If you’re in the mood for a tasty, homemade curry that’s both flavorful and satisfying, then Chicken Tikka Masala is the perfect dish to whip up. What I love about making curry at home is that you can enjoy all the bold, delicious flavors of a takeout, but without the guilt. Plus, it’s way healthier when you make it yourself! This dish is packed with tender chicken, a blend of spices, and creamy goodness – it’s comfort food at its finest. Let me take you through how to make this irresistible curry!
Method
Marinate the Chicken
Start by preparing the chicken for marination. Dice your chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and place them in a bowl. Add the Tikka Masala seasoning sachet to the chicken along with half of the crushed garlic, finely chopped ginger, and a sprinkle of salt. Mix everything together until the chicken is evenly coated with the seasoning. This is where the flavor begins! Let the chicken marinate for at least 1 hour, but if you have more time, letting it sit for a few hours or overnight will allow the flavors to soak in even deeper.
Grill the Chicken
After the chicken has marinated, it’s time to get it grilled! Heat up a grill pan or regular grill, and once hot, place the marinated chicken pieces on it. Grill the chicken for about 4 minutes on each side, or until the edges start to get a nice charred look. This grilling process helps lock in all the smoky flavors and gives the chicken that perfect, crispy texture on the outside while keeping it juicy on the inside. Be sure to check that the chicken is thoroughly cooked through, and once done, set it aside.
Sauté the Veggies
Next, grab a large cooking pan and heat some oil in it over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and pepper to the pan and cook for about 3-4 minutes until they soften and become slightly translucent. This brings out their natural sweetness and helps build the foundation of flavor for your curry. Once the onions and peppers have softened, add the remaining crushed garlic, chopped ginger, and halved cherry tomatoes to the pan. Stir everything together for another 1-2 minutes until the tomatoes begin to break down.
Add the Sauce
Now it’s time to bring the curry together! Pour in the blended tin of tomatoes and stir in the Tikka Masala seasoning, making sure everything is well mixed. The tomatoes add a lovely base for the sauce, and the seasoning will infuse the dish with all those delicious spices. Cover the pan with a lid and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. During this time, the flavors will meld together, and the sauce will begin to thicken, creating that rich, flavorful base that Chicken Tikka Masala is known for.
Finish It Off
Once the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked through, it’s time to finish off the dish. Stir in the spinach and let it wilt down in the sauce for about 2-3 minutes. The spinach adds a lovely green color and fresh flavor to balance out the richness of the sauce. After that, pour in the 80ml of single cream and stir everything together. The cream will add that signature creamy texture and make the sauce smooth and luscious. Let everything cook together for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce is beautifully combined.
Serve It Up
While the curry is simmering, you can cook your rice or warm your naan. I recommend basmati rice for that fluffy texture that pairs perfectly with the curry. Once everything is ready, serve the chicken tikka masala hot, with the rice or naan, and sprinkle some fresh coriander on top for an extra burst of flavor. Enjoy!
Necessary Tools
- Grill pan or regular grill
- Large cooking pan
- Knife and chopping board
- Wooden spoon for stirring
- Serving dish
Chicken Tikka Masala: A Delicious, Flavor-Packed Curry!
Cuisine: IndianDifficulty: Easy3
servings1
hour20
minutes1
hour20
minutesIngredients
2 chicken breasts, diced
2 onions, chopped
1 pepper, chopped
A few cherry tomatoes, halved
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2cm ginger, finely chopped
1 tin of tomatoes, blended
@spicentice Tikka Masala seasoning sachet
2 large handfuls of spinach
80ml single cream
Coriander (optional, for garnish)
Directions
- Marinate the chicken. Start by marinating the chicken in the Tikka Masala seasoning along with half of the garlic, ginger, and a sprinkle of salt. Let it sit for at least 1 hour (the longer, the better!). This will give the chicken a great flavor base.
- Grill the chicken. After marinating, grill the chicken for about 4 minutes on each side or until the edges get a nice charred look. The grilled chicken adds that smoky flavor we all love in Tikka Masala!
- Sauté the veggies in a large pan, heat some oil and cook your onions and peppers until softened. Then, add the remaining garlic, ginger, halved cherry tomatoes, and the grilled chicken.
- Add the sauce. Pour in the blended tin of tomatoes along with the Tikka Masala seasoning. Stir everything together, cover, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Finish it off. Check that the chicken is fully cooked, then stir in the spinach and the creamy single cream. Let it cook for another few minutes until everything is well combined.
- Serve it up. While the curry is simmering, cook your rice or naan, and once everything’s ready, serve up your curry hot with a sprinkle of fresh coriander for that extra burst of flavor!
Notes
- When grilling the chicken, make sure to keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn! The charred edges give great flavor, but you don’t want it to cook too long.
- Be sure to stir the curry occasionally as it simmers to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- You can adjust the seasoning to taste. If you like it spicier, feel free to add a pinch of chili powder or a chopped green chili to the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve this delicious Chicken Tikka Masala with steaming basmati rice or soft naan bread. Both are perfect to soak up the flavorful sauce!
- You can also pair it with a simple cucumber raita or a fresh side salad for a refreshing balance.
- If you want to make it extra special, try adding some roasted veggies on the side!
Fun Fact
Did you know that Chicken Tikka Masala is believed to have been invented in the UK by an Indian chef? It was created when a customer at a restaurant asked for some sauce to be added to his dry chicken dish – and thus, the iconic curry was born!
Conclusion
Chicken Tikka Masala is one of those dishes that’s just too good to resist. It’s flavorful, creamy, and packed with a mix of spices that will have you coming back for seconds. Plus, it’s super easy to make at home, and the whole family will love it! Whether you’re craving comfort food or just want something fresh and delicious, this curry will not disappoint. Enjoy!
