Chicken Tikka Masala Basmati (Printer-friendly)
Marinated chicken simmered in creamy tomato sauce paired with fragrant basmati rice.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken Marinade
01 - 1.3 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
03 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
04 - 2 tsp ground cumin
05 - 2 tsp ground coriander
06 - 1 tsp ground turmeric
07 - 1 tsp garam masala
08 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
11 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
→ Sauce
12 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil or ghee
13 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
14 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
15 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
16 - 2 tsp ground cumin
17 - 2 tsp ground coriander
18 - 1 tsp paprika
19 - 1 tsp garam masala
20 - ½ tsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
21 - 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
22 - ⅔ cup heavy cream
23 - 1 tsp sugar
24 - Salt, to taste
25 - Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
→ Rice
26 - 1¼ cups basmati rice
27 - 2 cups water
28 - ½ tsp salt
29 - 1 tbsp butter (optional)
# How to Prepare:
01 - In a large bowl, mix Greek yogurt, lemon juice, ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, garam masala, smoked paprika, salt, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight for enhanced flavor.
02 - Rinse basmati rice under cold running water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch, then drain thoroughly.
03 - Bring 2 cups water, salt, and butter (if using) to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add rinsed rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff rice gently with a fork.
04 - Heat vegetable oil or ghee in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Shake off excess marinade from chicken and cook in batches until browned on all sides, approximately 4 to 5 minutes per batch. Remove chicken and set aside.
05 - In the same pan, add chopped onions and sauté until soft and golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
06 - Incorporate ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, garam masala, and chili powder into the pan. Cook while stirring for 1 minute to release the spices' aromas.
07 - Add crushed tomatoes and sugar to the pan. Reduce heat and simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld flavors.
08 - Return the browned chicken to the sauce. Allow to simmer over medium-low heat for 10 to 12 minutes, ensuring chicken is fully cooked and tender.
09 - Pour in heavy cream and simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce achieves a creamy consistency and is thoroughly heated. Adjust seasoning with salt if necessary.
10 - Plate the chicken tikka masala over the prepared basmati rice and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The yogurt marinade makes chicken so tender it practically dissolves on your tongue, and you'll actually want to marinate overnight because the magic happens while you sleep.
- Heavy cream transforms a simple tomato sauce into something that tastes like you've been simmering it for hours, even though it takes barely thirty minutes.
- Serving it over fluffy basmati rice means you can soak up every drop of sauce, and there's something deeply satisfying about that.
02 -
- Don't skip the overnight marinade if you have time—chicken thighs marinated overnight are noticeably more tender and the spices penetrate deeper than anything you'll get in thirty minutes.
- The cream must go in at the very end and on low heat, because heavy cream can split if it boils, turning your beautiful sauce grainy and broken.
- Tasting and seasoning at the end is crucial; tomatoes and cream can muffle spices, so add salt gradually and trust your palate.
03 -
- Brown your chicken in batches rather than crowding the pan—this creates a golden crust that adds flavor, whereas crowding just steams the meat into gray disappointment.
- If your sauce ever seems too thin at the end, let it bubble gently for another few minutes uncovered, and it will reduce and thicken naturally without you having to add anything.