Chicken Tikka Masala is a dish that makes your mouth water just by looking at it and hearing about it. This dish is loved not only in India but also abroad. I’ve noticed that whether people go to a hotel or a restaurant, Chicken Tikka Masala is often their first choice because its taste, tender chicken, and creamy masala gravy make it incredibly delicious.
Many people think they won’t be able to make this dish at home or that it won’t taste as good as the restaurant version, but that’s simply not true. You can easily make it at home and achieve that restaurant-quality taste. So, in this article, we’ll teach you how to make it at home using the right techniques and tips.
What is Chicken Tikka Masala?
The curry made in the North Indian style is called Chicken Tikka Masala. The boneless chicken pieces are marinated in yogurt and spices, and then cooked like tikka—that is, grilled or roasted over low heat. Then it is combined with fried chicken tikka.
Made with spices, butter, and cream, Chicken Tikka Masala is neither too spicy nor too bland. That’s why it’s loved by people of all ages, from young children to the elderly. You might also want to try these recipes: Buffalo Chicken Dip and Chicken Enchilada Soup.
Ingredients needed to make Chicken Tikka Masala
For Chicken Tikka
- Boneless chicken – 500 grams
- Yogurt – 1 cup
- Red chili powder – 1 teaspoon
- Ginger-garlic paste – 1½ tablespoons
- Garam masala – ½ teaspoon
- Turmeric powder – ½ teaspoon
- Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon
- Mustard oil or refined oil – 1 tablespoon
- Salt – to taste
For Masala Gravy
- Tomatoes – 3 to 4 (pureed)
- Onions – 2 (finely chopped)
- Butter – 2 tablespoons
- Cashews – 12 to 15 (soaked and made into a paste)
- Red chili powder – 1 teaspoon
- Oil – 1 tablespoon
- Fresh cream – ½ cup
- Coriander powder – 1 teaspoon
- Garam masala – ½ teaspoon
- Dried fenugreek leaves (Kasuri methi) – 1 teaspoon
- Salt – to taste
Complete recipe for making Chicken Tikka Masala
The two steps of creating Chicken Tikka Masala are marinating the chicken to create the tikka and producing the masala gravy.
First, wash and clean the chicken thoroughly. Now, take yogurt in a large bowl, then add ginger-garlic paste, salt, red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, and a little oil. Mix all the ingredients well. Now, add all the chicken pieces and coat them thoroughly with the marinade. Let this marinade sit for at least 2 to 3 hours. Remember, the longer you marinate the chicken, the more flavorful your Chicken Tikka Masala will be.
How to cook Chicken Tikka
Now, heat a pan thoroughly. Once the pan is hot, add a little oil or butter to it. Then, cook the chicken pieces over medium heat. Flip the chicken pieces from one side to the other, cooking them until they turn brown. It’s not necessary to cook the chicken completely at this stage, as it will continue to cook in the gravy later. Just make sure the chicken is well seared on the outside.
How to prepare restaurant-style masala gravy
Now it’s time to make the restaurant-style masala gravy. Heat butter in a pan, add finely chopped onions and sauté until lightly golden brown. Then add the ginger-garlic paste and cook for a few minutes. Now add the tomatoes and spices, and sauté everything well until the oil separates. Then add the cashew paste. This will give the gravy a nice creamy texture.
After that, add the chicken tikka and cook on low heat for a few minutes. You can add a little water if needed. Finally, add the cream and dried fenugreek leaves and mix well.
Marination tips to make chicken soft and juicy
The marination plays the most important role; it’s what makes the chicken soft and juicy. If the marination isn’t done correctly, the chicken tikka can become dry and tough. Therefore, follow the steps given below.
- Whenever you use yogurt, always use thick and fresh yogurt.
- Add only a small amount of lemon juice to the marinade.
- Do not use too much salt, otherwise, the chicken will release its water.
- Carefully store the marinated chicken in the refrigerator.
- If you have enough time, it’s best to marinate the chicken overnight.
How to get the same color and aroma as a restaurant dish?
If you want to achieve the color and aroma of restaurant-style chicken tikka masala, you need to pay attention to the small details. For example, using good quality Kashmiri red chili powder will give it a beautiful color. Also, ensure you use the right amount of butter and cream – not too much. Crushing the fenugreek leaves (kasoori methi) by hand before adding them will greatly enhance the aroma. If you like, you can also add a smoky flavor at the end by infusing the chicken tikka masala with charcoal smoke.
Conclusion
Chicken Tikka Masala is a dish you can easily make for parties or on weekends. You just need the right marinade, the correct cooking method, perfectly cooked chicken, and a delicious masala gravy to make it perfect. If you follow the steps given above, you can easily make this restaurant-style dish at home. So, give it a try at home and let us know in the comments how you liked this recipe.
