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Home » Dinners » Easy Chicken Tikka Masala

Easy Chicken Tikka Masala

Posted by: Kate / Chicken, Dinners / Posted: 06/26/18 / Last updated: 09/29/19

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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!

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Easy Chicken Tikka Masala

Easy chicken tikka masala recipe
Author:I Heart Eating
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings:8 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: chicken, Indian, weeknight
Print Rate
5 from 2 votes

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
  • 3/4 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, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. 
**Nutrition values are estimates. 

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1servingCalories: 288kcal (14%)Carbohydrates: 6g (2%)Protein: 25g (50%)Fat: 17g (26%)Saturated Fat: 8g (40%)Cholesterol: 114mg (38%)Sodium: 248mg (10%)Potassium: 626mg (18%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 2g (2%)Vitamin A: 605IU (12%)Vitamin C: 8mg (10%)Calcium: 46mg (5%)Iron: 1.2mg (7%)
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  1. Madison says

    August 7, 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 says

      August 7, 2018 at 8:23 am

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

      Reply
  2. Jean says

    July 3, 2018 at 12:50 am

    5 stars
    Easy to make and was delicious. thanks!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      July 3, 2018 at 10:23 am

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

      Reply
  3. PME says

    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 says

      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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