This restaurant style chicken tikka masala sauce is rich and creamy, just like Indian takeaway.
Chicken tikka masala is a dish consisting of roasted marinated chicken chunks (chicken tikka) in a spiced sauce.
Tikka masala sauce has a tomato base and many different spices giving it a gentle earthiness and a mild heat.
The sauce is creamy and red-coloured.
The colour in this recipe comes from the tomato base.
The origin of this dish can be traced back to the 1970s when it was first introduced in Indian restaurants.
It has been called the national dish of Britain because it was invented by Bangladeshi chefs in an Indian restaurant in Birmingham, England.
The name chicken tikka masala was given by British people who were not familiar with Indian dishes and thought that it was just another variation of chicken tikka.
Recipe For Chicken Tikka Masala
Equipment
- Large skillet, wok or frying pan
- Kitchen scales
- Measuring spoons
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 675 grams
cooked chicken tikka
Tikka Masala Sauce Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp mustard seed oil
- 4 large cloves of garlic finely chopped
- 200 grams onions finely chopped (optional)
- 400 grams tomatoes chopped, tinned
- 1-4 fresh green chillis chopped
- 2 Tbsp coriander leaves, freshly chopped
- 50 ml Cream
- 1 Tbsp malt vinegar or tamarind extract
- 2 Tbsp curry paste
- 2 Tbsp tandoori masala paste
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 Tbsp garam masala
Instructions
- Your cooked Chicken Tikka should be pre prepared using this recipe 675 grams
cooked chicken tikka . - Heat the 2 Tbsp mustard seed oil in a wok (if available, otherwise a large frying pan).
- Add the 4 large cloves of garlic and 200 grams onions (if using) and stir-fry until browned.
- Add the 2 Tbsp curry paste and 2 Tbsp tandoori masala paste, mix well, adding a little water or yoghurt.
- Add the cooked chicken tikka and stir-fry for two minutes to heat through.
- Add the 400 grams tomatoes, 1 Tbsp malt vinegar, 1 Tbsp tomato paste, and the 1-4 fresh green chillis and simmer for five minutes. Add more extra water if needed.
- Add the 50 ml Cream, 1 Tbsp garam masala, and chopped 2 Tbsp coriander leaves, and simmer for a few minutes.
- Serve.
Notes
- One thing I have noticed with recipies that call for spices is that the quality of the spices either make or break the recipe.Especially Garam Masala. There are some versions that are full of flavourless fillers like paprika.
- Also, if your spices are over 6 months old they begin to lose flavour. If your spices are 2-3 years old, they can be next to flavourless in a dish.Try toasting some fresh whole spices and grinding them in a spice grinder. This should punch up your flavours.
Recipe Variations
- You can use anywhere between 1 - 4 green chillies depending on strength of the Chillis and the desired strength of the sauce.
- Vegan Chicken Tikka Masala;
Make these simple substitutions: chickpeas and carrots for the chicken and coconut milk for the cream. - Substitute coconut cream instead of standard cream and adds a new depth to it.
How To Serve Chicken Tikka Masala
- Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with Naan bread, rice coloured yellow with turmeric, onion bahjis and/or a glass of white wine.
- Serve with Basmati Rice and add a side of Homemade Flatbreads to mop up the sauce!
- Make sure you have plenty of naan for serving, preferably garlic naan.
- Serve immediately with rice, garnished with cilantro, if desired.
- Serve with basmati rice flavoured with cumin seeds.
Wonderful recipe very tasty and easy
I just love the good india flavors of this.
I was really nervous about trying this, but this was an approachable, easy recipe. I made it for a friend’s birthday and she loved it!