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    Home » Dinners » Easy Chicken Tikka Masala

    Easy Chicken Tikka Masala

    Published: Jun 26, 2018 · Modified: Sep 29, 2019 by Kate · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Easy chicken tikka masala recipe makes an easy weeknight dinner. This simple chicken tikka masala is made with pantry staples and delivers tons of flavor!
    Easy chicken tikka masala in a metal dish with a black metal spoon

    We don't eat out very often these days. With four young kids, it can be difficult to sit down and enjoy a meal at a restaurant.

    Instead, I make a lot of easy versions of our restaurant favorites - like this easy chicken tikka masala recipe.

    I first had chicken tikka masala at a restaurant when I visiting London, and I've been hooked ever since!

    What Is Chicken Tikka Masala?

    Chicken tikka masala is traditionally made up of chicken tikka, grilled chunks of chicken, in a spiced tomato masala sauce.

    This recipe uses chicken that's cooked in a skillet for an easier, one pan version.

    Onions, spices, and chicken for easy chicken tikka masala

    What To Serve With Chicken Tikka Masala

    Chicken tikka masala is great served with naan bread or rice. We are especially fond of serving it with garlic naan or over basmati or jasmine rice.

    Dish of easy chicken tikka masala next to a bowl of cilantro and pieces of naan

    More Restaurant Copycat Dinner Recipes!

    • Instant Pot Butter Chicken
    • Instant Pot Korean Beef
    • Skillet Chicken Parmesan
    • Chicken Massaman Curry

    If you’ve tried this easy chicken tikka masala recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who've made my recipes!

    You can SUBSCRIBE to receive my latest recipe newsletters or FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for even more delicious food.

    Chicken tikka masala and rice on a plate.

    Easy Chicken Tikka Masala

    Easy chicken tikka masala recipe
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Indian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 288kcal
    Author: Kate @ I Heart Eating

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 3 tablespoons butter
    • 1 medium white or yellow onion diced
    • 5 cloves garlic minced
    • 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
    • 1 tablespoon garam masala spice blend*
    • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts in 1-inch pieces
    • Salt and pepper
    • 15 ounce can crushed tomatoes
    • ¾ cup heavy cream
    • Cilantro

    Instructions

    • Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
    • Add onions to skillet, and cook until starting to come translucent.  and ginger until softened.
    • Stir in garlic, ginger, and spice blend. Let cook 30 seconds, stirring regularly.
    • Add chicken to skillet, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring regularly, until chicken is cooked through.
    • Stir in tomatoes, and bring to a simmer. 
    • Let simmer 5 minutes, stirring regularly. 
    • Remove from heat, and stir in cream. 
    • Serve topped with fresh cilantro, if desired. 

    Notes

    *If you can't find a garam masala blend, use 2 teaspoons garam masala, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper. 
    **Nutrition values are estimates. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 288kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 248mg | Potassium: 626mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 605IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1.2mg
    Tried this recipe? Rate it below. Mention @i_heart_eating on Instagram & tag #ihearteating!
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    About Kate

    Kate got her first cookbook when she was five years old, and she hasn't stopped cooking since then! Her delicious recipes have been featured on Food Network, MSN, Better Homes & Gardens, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, and more. When she's not cooking or baking, she can be found on her mini farm with her husband and her five kids.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Madison

      August 07, 2018 at 8:21 am

      5 stars
      I made this for dinner and it was better than my local place. Guess I won't be picking up from there any more! LOL

      Reply
      • Kate

        August 07, 2018 at 8:23 am

        That's great! I'm so glad that you liked it! Thanks for commenting. =)

        Reply
    2. Jean

      July 03, 2018 at 12:50 am

      5 stars
      Easy to make and was delicious. thanks!

      Reply
      • Kate

        July 03, 2018 at 10:23 am

        I'm so glad you liked it! Thank you for coming back to comment! =)

        Reply
    3. PME

      June 27, 2018 at 11:55 am

      Your recipe note offers a substitution for "garam masala blend" that calls for garam masala ... garam masala IS a blend. I don't understand what the substitution is accomplishing.

      Reply
      • Kate

        June 27, 2018 at 2:14 pm

        My grocery store offers two options: "garam masala", which is that particular spice mixture, and "garam masala blend". The Garam Masala Blend is garam masala + smoked paprika + cayenne pepper. Hope that helps!

        Reply

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    I’m Kate Dean- mom to five young kids, recipe developer, and photographer. Here at I Heart Eating®, I share my family’s favorite tried-and-true recipes.

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