Name: Easy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (dried well, pounded evenly flat); 1 cup whole milk yogurt (plain, unsweetened); 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 2 teaspoons ground ginger; 1 tablespoon garlic powder; 3 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 onion (finely chopped); 6 garlic cloves (minced); 2 teaspoons fresh ginger (peeled and grated); 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 1/4 teaspoon chili powder; 2 tablespoons garam masala; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric; 1 crushed tomatoes (28 oz. can, undrained); 2 teaspoons sugar; 2/3 cup heavy cream; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro (chopped); Dashes of kosher salt to taste

There’s something irresistibly comforting about this Easy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe—the rich, velvety tomato sauce paired with tender, spiced chicken feels like a warm hug on a plate. Once you make this at home, you’ll see why it’s a go-to for cozy dinners that impress without stressing you out.

A white plate on a white marbled surface holds a serving of rich orange curry with visible chunks of meat and pieces of tomato mixed in a thick sauce, topped with small bright green herb pieces. Next to the curry, there is a portion of white rice sprinkled lightly with green herbs. On the edge of the plate, there are triangular pieces of light beige flatbread, with one piece resting partially in the curry. A shiny metal fork is placed on the right side of the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t get enough of how this Easy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe nails that authentic restaurant flavor without needing a pantry full of rare spices. Plus, it’s surprisingly straightforward to pull together any night of the week.

Restaurant-quality Flavor: This recipe tastes just like your favorite takeout, but fresher and way more satisfying.
Simple Ingredients: Most spices are pantry staples, and you can easily find everything at your local grocery store.
Perfectly Tender Chicken: Marinating and pounding the chicken ensures it cooks evenly and stays juicy every time.
Flexible & Family-friendly: You can adjust the heat or creaminess to your liking, making it a crowd-pleaser for all tastes.

Ingredients & Why They Work

These ingredients come together to create that iconic flavor profile you crave. The yogurt tenderizes the chicken while the blend of spices balances warmth, heat, and aromatic notes beautifully.

Flat lay of boneless skinless chicken breasts pounded evenly flat, a small heap of ground cumin, a small heap of ground coriander, a small heap of cayenne pepper, a small heap of ground ginger, a small heap of garlic powder, a small heap of chili powder, a small heap of garam masala, a small heap of ground turmeric, a whole white onion finely chopped in a white ceramic bowl, six fresh garlic cloves unpeeled, fresh peeled grated ginger in a small white bowl, a small white bowl of plain whole milk yogurt, a small white bowl of vegetable oil, a small white bowl of tomato paste, a small white bowl of crushed tomatoes, a small white bowl of sugar, a small white bowl of heavy cream, a small pile of fresh chopped cilantro leaves, whole uncracked eggs with clean shells placed symmetrically, all ingredients fresh and natural arranged with perfect symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Salt: Enhances all the flavors and helps tenderize the chicken during marination.
Ground Cumin & Ground Coriander: The backbone of many Indian dishes, they bring earthiness and depth.
Cayenne Pepper: Just enough to give the dish a gentle kick without overpowering it.
Chicken Breasts: Pounded evenly to ensure quick, uniform cooking and juicy bites.
Whole Milk Yogurt: Tenderizes the chicken and adds subtle tanginess to balance the spices.
Vegetable Oil: Used for sautéing and adds a neutral base for the spices to bloom.
Ground Ginger & Garlic Powder: Adds warm, fragrant undertones essential for that classic tikka flavor.
Onion: Finely chopped for sweetness and body in the sauce.
Fresh Garlic & Ginger: Minced/grated for fresh, punchy flavor—never skip these!
Tomato Paste & Crushed Tomatoes: Form the rich, tangy base of the sauce that’s so comforting.
Chili Powder & Garam Masala: Layer on complexity and heat, garam masala especially adds that signature warmth.
Ground Turmeric: Offers color and subtle earthy flavor.
Sugar: Balances the acidity of the tomatoes perfectly.
Heavy Cream: Makes the sauce luxuriously creamy and smooth.
Fresh Cilantro: Added at the end for a bright, fresh contrast and pretty garnish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

What I love most is that you can tweak this chicken tikka masala recipe to suit your mood or dietary needs — from dialing down the heat to swapping cream for coconut milk for a dairy-free twist.

Variation: I once swapped out chicken breasts for thighs and the extra fat made the dish even juicier and more flavorful—definitely worth trying!
Heat Level: Feel free to add more cayenne or chili powder if you love spicy food, or reduce for a milder family-friendly meal.
Dairy-free Swap: Full-fat coconut milk works beautifully instead of cream, adding a subtle tropical note.
Vegetarian Version: Replace chicken with paneer or roasted cauliflower for a delicious meatless twist.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

A white pot with two handles is filled with a thick reddish-orange sauce mixed with several pieces of light brown cooked meat. A woman's hand stirs the sauce with a wooden spoon that is slightly blurred from motion. The pot sits on a white marbled surface, and the sauce texture looks chunky and rich, covering the meat pieces unevenly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken for Tenderness and Flavor

The secret to juicy chicken here is marination. Start by pounding your chicken breasts evenly flat — this makes cooking quick and uniform. Then mix the yogurt, salt, ground cumin, coriander, cayenne, ground ginger, and garlic powder. Toss your chicken in this and let it chill for at least 30 minutes, ideally a few hours. I often prep this in the morning for dinner—makes life so much easier.

Step 2: Cooking the Chicken

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken in batches so they don’t crowd the pan. Cook quickly—just until golden and mostly cooked through (they’ll finish cooking in the sauce). This keeps the chicken tender and juicy, avoiding toughness.

Step 3: Build the Flavorful Sauce

In the same pan, add more oil and sauté finely chopped onion until it’s soft and golden—this foundation is key. Stir in fresh garlic and grated ginger, letting them bloom with the spices—garam masala, cumin, turmeric, chili powder, and tomato paste. Follow with crushed tomatoes, then simmer this rich, aromatic sauce for about 15 minutes to develop depth.

Step 4: Finish with Cream and Chicken

Add sugar to balance acidity, then stir in the cream for that signature luxurious texture. Return chicken to the pan, coating it with the luscious sauce. Let everything simmer together gently for 10 minutes, so the flavors marry perfectly.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Just before serving, sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro on top for a pop of color and freshness. At this point, your kitchen will smell incredible—and I guarantee you’ll be craving that first bite.

Top Tip

From my experience cooking this Easy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe, a few small tricks can make the biggest difference for juicy chicken and perfectly balanced sauce.

Even Chicken Pieces: Pound or slice chicken so all pieces cook evenly—this avoids dry or undercooked bits.
Don’t Skip Marination: Even 30 minutes improves tenderness and flavor; longer if you can—overnight is ideal.
Toast the Spices: Bloom your spices in oil before adding tomatoes to release their full aroma.
Simmer Gently: Let the sauce simmer on low after adding cream and chicken to blend flavors, but don’t overcook to avoid toughness.

How to Serve Easy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

Chicken Tikka Masala - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always reach for freshly chopped cilantro—it adds bright freshness that cuts through the creaminess beautifully. Sometimes, a squeeze of lime juice or a sprinkle of toasted fenugreek leaves amps up the flavor even more.

Side Dishes

Pair this chicken tikka masala with fluffy basmati rice or warm naan bread to soak up every last drop of that incredible sauce. I also love serving it alongside sautéed greens or a cooling cucumber raita for balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like plating it in a shallow bowl with a vibrant swirl of cream on top, garnished with cilantro and a few delicate pomegranate seeds. It’s simple but adds that little wow factor that guests notice.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I find the flavors deepen after a day, making the second dinner even better than the first.

Freezing

Freezing works well for this recipe too. Just cool it completely, then portion and freeze in zip-top bags or containers. When you thaw, give it a gentle stir before reheating to recombine anything settled.

Reheating

I prefer reheating gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water or cream if the sauce has thickened too much. Microwave works in a pinch, but watch the time carefully so the chicken stays tender.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs actually add extra juiciness and flavor due to their higher fat content. Just adjust cooking time slightly to ensure they’re cooked through.

How spicy is this Easy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe?

It has a gentle warmth from cayenne and chili powder that’s easily adjustable. You can dial the heat up or down based on your preference, making it suitable for both kids and spice lovers.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Replacing the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk works wonderfully, and you can use a non-dairy yogurt like coconut or almond yogurt for marinating.

What’s the best way to serve Chicken Tikka Masala?

Serving it with basmati rice or naan bread is classic and practical to soak up the sauce. Add a side of cucumber raita or a simple salad for a balanced meal.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen repertoire because it brings that restaurant magic home with ease and reliability. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do—nothing beats seeing happy faces digging into a dish packed with layers of flavor and love.