Best Ever Restaurant Style Chicken Tikka Masala

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This is the best chicken tikka masala recipe ever! It tastes just like the restaurant and will fool even the most hardcore of takeout enthusiasts. Rich and creamy with tender bites of chicken, this chicken tikka masala recipe has been perfected over years to be just the best!

A bowl of chicken tikka masala over basmati rice with a slice of naanA bowl of chicken tikka masala over basmati rice with a slice of naan

Get Ready to Wow Your Tastebuds

Chicken tikka masala is a gateway drug.

Having never before tasted a spicy and sour rassam, never dunked a crispy piece of pakora in bright green chutney, never fought over the last gulab jamun in the order, most of us start with chicken tikka masala. It’s considered the official dish of the United Kingdom and is almost certainly the unofficial first-timer’s order the world over. Maybe it’s the description on the menu:

  • Mesquite broiled Chicken-Tikka cooked with bell pepper, onions in a tomato butter sauce
  • Chicken tikka prepared in tomato cream sauce.
  • Pieces of chicken tikka cooked in a creamy sauce with fresh tomato and exotic spices. 

I see a few words in each of those descriptions, don’t you? Tomato. Cream. Butter.

Indian cuisine neophytes across the country are pointing at that item on the menu, claiming “It couldn’t be bad.” And oh, are they so very wrong.

This recipe for chicken tikka masala is quite possibly the heavenliest dish on the face of the planet if you’re asking me (and you are, aren’t you?). The heady mix of spices, the slow-cooked onions, and garlic, the creamy, buttery ho-my-goodness sauce: it draws most Indian food newbies in instantaneously, converting them for life

The problem is that a restaurant style chicken tikka masala recipe is weirdly hard to make at home. No, I take that back; it’s really hard to find. I’ve been working at nailing it for over a decade now, with no real luck. Sure, the recipes I made were great, awesome takes on Indian curries. But did they taste like restaurant-style chicken tikka masala? Was it the best chicken tikka masala recipe? Not quite. There was just something missing.

A bowl of chicken tikka masala over basmati rice with a slice of naanA bowl of chicken tikka masala over basmati rice with a slice of naan

So a little while back, I decided to do some research into what restaurants really do to produce that unbelievable dish. I read through plenty of theory, different elements that combine to create the dish you know and love. I paired those new techniques with a recipe I had been developing and most importantly, I had very low expectations.

And so when I tasted that first bite, it was a sheer delight when I realized I’d done it. Finally, the restaurant style chicken tikka masala recipe I’d been dreaming of! The slow-cooked onions, garlic, tomatoes, and spices; the rich and creamy half and half; the heady spices and fenugreek. It surpassed every previous attempt I’d made with flying colors.

What Makes This Recipe So Good

  • It utilizes authentic caramelization processes to produce a tikka masala that tastes just like the restaurant.
  • It’s rich and creamy and smooth and spicy and perfect.
  • There are even healthier options, like Whole30, paleo, and dairy-free options, making it super healthy and workable for even restrictive diets.

Important Tip!

Do not skip the caramelization process either with the aromatics or the tomato sauce. If you do, you’ll end up with a less-than Indian curry, and not the best chicken tikka masala recipe ever! Seriously, if you make this and find it isn’t the best ever, you didn’t caramelize it all long enough!

I repeat – do not skip the caramelization process!

I used full-fat plain yogurt as a marinade, but if you’re paleo or on a Whole30, you can skip that without missing too much. And if you’re dairy free, use 2 cups solid coconut cream in place of the 2 cups half and half.

Where Can I Find Fenugreek Leaves?

Fenugreek leaves are optional but oh, they put the dish over the top. Do use them if you can find them! I bought a big box at an Asian market and have barely made a dent in it. If you like Indian food, you’ll be super happy to have a box of fenugreek leaves at home. I use them in my saag chicken recipe, too, and they really take things over the edge.

Is Chicken Tikka Masala Healthy?

This chicken tikka masala recipe is healthy! It uses real, whole foods.

This chicken tikka masala also has dairy-free options and works for a Whole30 or paleo diet. It’s gluten and grain free, includes no sugar, and no processed anything! All real food love.

A bowl of chicken tikka masala over basmati rice with a slice of naanA bowl of chicken tikka masala over basmati rice with a slice of naan

Other Recipes You’ll Love

Hey – you’ve made it this far, so now we’re basically best friends! If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook, too!

A bowl of chicken tikka masala over basmati rice with a slice of naanA bowl of chicken tikka masala over basmati rice with a slice of naan

4.97

from

147

votes

Best Chicken Tikka Masala (Restaurant Style)

Prep:

15

minutes

Cook:

1

hour

10

minutes

Marinating Time:

1

hour

Total:

2

hours

25

minutes

This is the best chicken tikka masala recipe ever, and it’s so rich and perfectly spiced. A double caramelization process produces a chicken tikka masala that tastes just like the best restaurant-style dish.

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6

servings

Ingredients

  • 2

    large

    boneless, skinless chicken breasts

    diced, about 1 ½ pounds

For the Marinade

  • 1

    cup

    plain full-fat yogurt

    See Notes for alternate diets

  • 1

    teaspoon

    turmeric

  • 2

    teaspoons

    garam masala

  • 1

    tablespoon

    lemon juice

    about half a lemon

  • 2

    teaspoons

    black pepper

  • ¼

    teaspoon

    dried ginger

For the Sauce

  • 4

    tablespoons

    ghee

    or butter, ¼ cup

  • 1

    medium

    white onion

    diced

  • 1-2

    serrano chiles

    minced, see Notes for heat level

  • 5

    garlic cloves

    minced

  • 1 ½

    tablespoons

    fresh ginger

    grated

  • 3 ½

    teaspoons

    garam masala

  • 1

    teaspoon

    paprika

  • 1

    15-ounce can

    tomato sauce

  • 1

    green bell pepper

    deseeded and sliced into strips

  • 1

    tablespoon

    dried fenugreek leaves

  • lots of salt

    to taste

  • 2

    cups

    heavy cream

    or half-and-half, See Notes for alternate diets

For Serving

  • basmati rice

    See Notes for alternate diets

  • naan

  • fresh cilantro

    chopped

Instructions 

Marinate the Chicken

  • Combine all marinade ingredients besides chicken in a medium bowl and stir well. Add chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour, up to overnight.

    Marinate the chicken in yogurt and spicesMarinate the chicken in yogurt and spices

Make the Sauce

  • Heat the ghee in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add serrano chiles, garlic, ginger, and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until a nice toffee color, about 20 minutes, adding a few drops of water here and there if drying out and sticking. Add garam masala and paprika and stir well. Cook until fragrant, a few minutes, adding a couple of tablespoons of water if necessary to reduce sticking.

    Cook your onion, ginger, garlic, and chiles until toffee coloredCook your onion, ginger, garlic, and chiles until toffee colored

  • Stir in the tomato sauce then transfer to a blender and blend until smooth. Return the sauce to your skillet. Add sliced bell pepper, fenugreek, and salt.

    Simmer the tomato-pepper mixture until thick, caramelized, and paste-likeSimmer the tomato-pepper mixture until thick, caramelized, and paste-like

  • Meanwhile, cook the chicken. Preheat broiler and place a wire rack over a baking sheet. Place chicken pieces on top of the rack. Broil, turning occasionally until browned in spots and cooked through, about 8 minutes total.

    Broil your chicken until cooked through and browned in spotsBroil your chicken until cooked through and browned in spots

  • Simmer for 30 minutes on medium-low heat or until thick and more like a paste than a sauce. Add the heavy cream and stir until very smooth. Taste and correct seasonings. Add chicken, stir well, and serve over basmati or cauliflower rice and naan. Top with plenty of chopped cilantro.

    Stir and garnish with cilantro, serve over rice with naanStir and garnish with cilantro, serve over rice with naan

Notes

Heat Levels:

  • Mild: 1 serrano chile, seeded
  • Medium: 1 serrano chile, not seeded
  • Hot: 2 serrano chiles, not seeded

 

If you’re on a Whole30…

  • You can use a compliant non-dairy yogurt, like Kite Hill unsweetened, to marinate your chicken. You can also skip the yogurt entirely and simply marinate the chicken in spices and lemon juice, or use canned coconut milk to replace the yogurt.
  • Use 2 cups coconut cream (just the solid white part of a can of coconut milk or cream) in place of the half and half.
  • Serve over steamed cauliflower rice, not regular rice.

Video

Nutrition Information

Serving:

1

serving

,

Calories:

459

kcal

,

Carbohydrates:

10

g

,

Protein:

12

g

,

Fat:

42

g

,

Saturated Fat:

26

g

,

Trans Fat:

1

g

,

Cholesterol:

164

mg

,

Sodium:

96

mg

,

Potassium:

373

mg

,

Fiber:

2

g

,

Sugar:

3

g

,

Vitamin A:

1470

IU

,

Vitamin C:

21

mg

,

Calcium:

119

mg

,

Iron:

1

mg

,

Net Carbs:

8

g

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

 

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

 

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

© Author:

Cheryl MalikWhat makes chicken tikka masala red?

I use deggi mirch powder, which is similar to paprika but a vibrant red, in my chicken tikka masala. It gives the dish a brilliant hue and especially authentic restaurant-style taste. I highly recommend ordering a box if you make Indian food, like my chana masala, butter chicken, or chickpea tikka masala, with any sort of regularity!

What are fenugreek leaves?

Fenugreek is native to South Asia and Southeastern Europe. The leaves taste like a combination of fennel and celery.

Can I use fenugreek seeds instead of leaves?

The leaves have a much milder flavor than the seeds, so I would recommend just omitting the fenugreek or starting with a very small amount if you only have the seeds. (Unless you just absolutely love the taste of them!)