Chicken Tikka Masala
Murgh tikka masala is a dish originating in the UK and also a favorite Indian restaurant chicken curry worldwide. Also known as chicken tikka masala or poulet chicken tikka masala, this is a recipe you are going to love!
The dish is known for its rich tomato base and medium-high heat due to adding chilli peppers.
What is murgh tikka masala? Murgh means chicken. Tikka means “small pieces” in Indian. Masala means spice blend or blend of spices.
With this easy-to-follow recipe, you can make this masala curry at home and experience the best Indian curry made by YOU!
So what are you waiting for? Let’s get into it!
Related Tikka Masala Recipes: Punjabi Chicken Curry / Red Curry Chicken
Why You’ll Love this Curry Recipe
Murgh Tikka Masala Ingredients
How To Make Chicken Tikka Masala
Step 1. Combine TWO tablespoons of tikka paste (reserving the remaining 2) and yogurt in a glass mixing bowl. Add the diced chicken pieces and turn to coat in the marinade. Set aside.
Step 2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large frypan or pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions and fry until slightly charged and soft. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
Step 3. Heat the remaining oil in the pan over medium-high heat. Fry marinated chicken in batches making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry until lightly brown on each side. Remove from the pan and repeat with the remaining chicken.
Step 4. Return all the chicken pieces to the pan. Add the remaining tikka paste and ginger paste. Stir to combine.
Step 5. Add the fenugreek leaves, tomato paste and water. Bring to a boil, then drop the heat and cook until the sauce thickens.
Step 6. Add an extra 1/4 cup of water to thin the sauce. Bring to a simmer and add the cream. Continue to cook until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked completely.
Step 7. Stir through charred onions.
Step 8. Serve with a squeeze of lemon juice, fresh coriander leaves and Greek yogurt.
Tips & Tricks
- If using chicken thighs you may want to brown them a little longer before adding them to the tikka masala sauce. They will be tender but the extra cooking ensures any fatty pieces are well cooked before braising in the masala.
- For extra flavour or spice, add a teaspoon of garam masala to the sauce or Kashmiri chili powder / cayenne pepper (if you like it a little spicier). I taste the sauce before it almost done and adjust any of the seasoning before removing from the heat.
Thermomix Chicken Tikka Masala
In the recipe card below I have instructions on how to make the tikka masala in a Thermomix.
The chicken is completely cooked in the mixer, with the onions still browned in a pan. If you have a TM6, the onion can be caramelised using the high heat function. I prefer the pan as it is quick and does add a lot of flavour.
If you prefer to add some char to the chicken before adding it to the mixer you can cook in a skillet over high heat before adding to the mixer. I always recommend dicing chicken into larger chunks when cooking in the Thermomix. It keeps the chicken nice and moist and maintains a nice chunk of meat rather than falling apart in the sauce.
What To Serve with Murgh Masala
I have always loved fresh coriander leaves and 2-ingredient yogurt served with any tikka masala recipe. Seeing I follow a keto diet I enjoy mine very simply.
In your favourite Indian restaurant, it would be served over Basmati rice and naan bread, chapati or Kachumber Salad on the side. For some low-carb options, try cauliflower rice, keto wraps, or low carb tortillas.
FAQs
The spices used in this dish are perfectly balanced, making it a great option for those who love spicy food, but can’t handle too much heat.
You have the power to control the heat. If you want to be spicy use a hot chilli. I also appreciate that it’s a healthier alternative to traditional Indian takeout options.
Murgh tikka masala vs butter chicken are two popular Indian dishes that are often compared but have distinct differences.
Butter chicken is a North Indian dish made with boneless chicken that is marinated in yogurt and spices, grilled, and then simmered in a creamy tomato-based gravy. The dish is known for its rich and creamy texture and mild to medium spiciness.
On the other hand, Chicken Tikka is believed to have originated in the UK, not in India. It has a smokier and slightly spicier flavor due to the grilling of the chicken. The sauce is typically mildly spiced and creamy.
Next Recipes To Try
More low carb chicken recipes perfect for a low carb meal plan.
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Be sure to let us know how much you love our easy recipe for chicken murgh masala in the comments. Happy cooking and watch for more Indian cuisine recipes coming soon. Meg x
Murgh Tikka Masala
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons (4 tablespoons) Tikka Masala Paste click for recipe, see notes
- 60 g (1/4 cups) Greek yogurt
- 800 g (28 oz) chicken breast cut into 5cm / 2-inch cubes
TIKKA MASALA SAUCE
- 2 tablespoons (2 tablespoons) olive oil
- ½ (½) large onion
- 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) ginger paste or finely grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) fenugreek leaves (Kasoori methi) optional but recommended
- 3 tablespoons (3 tablespoons) tomato paste
- ½ cup (½ cup) water
- ½ cup (½ cup) thickened or heavy cream or plain yogurt
TO SERVE
- lemon wedges Greek yogurt, fresh coriander leaves
Instructions
CONVENTIONAL METHOD
- Combine TWO tablespoons of tikka paste (reserving the remaining 2) and yogurt in a glass mixing bowl. Add the chicken and turn to coat in the marinade. Set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large frypan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and fry until slightly charged and soft. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- Heat remaining oil in the pan over medium-high heat. Fry chicken in batches making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry until lightly brown on each side. Remove from the pan and repeat with remaining chicken.
- Return all the chicken pieces to the pan. Add the remaining tikka paste and ginger paste. Stir to combine.
- Add the fenugreek leaves, tomato paste and water. Bring to a boil then drop the heat and cook until the sauce thickens. Add an extra 1/4 cup of water to thin the sauce. Bring to a simmer and add the cream. Continue to cook until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked completely. Stir through charred onions.
- Serve with a squeeze of lemon juice, fresh coriander leaves and Greek yogurt.
THERMOMIX METHOD
- Combine TWO tablespoons of tikka paste (reserving the remaining 2) and yogurt in a glass mixing bowl. Add the chicken and turn to coat in the marinade. Set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large frypan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and fry until slightly charged and soft. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- Add remaining oil, tikka paste, ginger paste, fenugreek leaves, tomato paste and water to the mixer; mix 7 sec/speed 7. Scrape down sides of bowl.
- Cook 10 min/110℃/reverse/slowest speed/
- Add chicken; cook 15 min/100°C/reverse/slowest speed/cap off.
- Add cream; cook 7 min/100°C/slowest speed/cap off. Set aside, covered, for 5-10 minutes for the sauce to thicken. Stir through reserved onions.
- Serve with a squeeze of lemon juice, fresh coriander leaves and Greek yogurt.
Notes
Your Own Notes
Nutrition
55 responses to “Murgh Tikka Masala”
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An explosion is definitely the best way to describe this flavorful dish! I absolutely love this!-
I love hearing that!
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Can’t wait to try this Indian cuisine Murgh Tikka Masala!:) Looks so rich in flavor and spice.
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Enjoy!
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this masala turned out amazing! the flavor was spot on and it was so easy to make too. so good! -
For my first time making tikka misala, this recipe really helped with the step by step instructions! Thank u!-
You are very welcome
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This recipe is a keeper – next time I will try your homemade paste! We enjoyed this with some butter naan and the kids loved it so much. Thank you.-
I am glad you enjoyed it
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Love the simple ingredients of this recipe. This was so flavorful!-
Yay!
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The only time I have tried making this dish it took quite a long time. I love how this tikka masala only takes 30 min. It was so good.-
It is so easy to make. I hope you love it Sean
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I read your whole post with my mouth watering the whole time! It’s been ages since I’ve made a curry and this one is so bright and vibrant. Tonight’s dinner dilemma is solved!
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Yay! I am happy to help!
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Better than any takeout food. Easy to make and so delicious. My family totally enjoyed this tikka masala dinner.-
I am so happy you enjoyed it Gloria
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Made this last night (in a frypan, not my thermie) after making the Homemade Tikka Paste (I thoroughly recommend making this paste!) and it was so delicious that I almost licked my plate! I’m a chilli wuss, but found the level of heat absolutely perfect for me. Looking forward to leftovers tomorrow night – I know it’s going to taste even better than it did last night! 😋-
I am a huge fan too Eileen! It tastes awesome the next day too. Make double next time.
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Wow wow wow, best tikka recipe ever. If you love curries as much as we do then you will love this recipe. Made Megan’s naan bread too and was a great accompaniment to the dish. Even my non keto son love this meal. Thanks Megan this is my fav recipe so far.-
That is awesome to hear Tracy!
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We love curries in this house and make them often. Love this recipe and marinating the chicken for 4 hours and will cook for dinner tonight. Also make your naan to do with it and it is proving as I write. Our adult kids were going out tonight but they’ve “changed their minds” and will stay for dinner….no surprise there!! Thanks Megan for another successful cook and we love your spicy curries for sure.-
Woohoo! I love this recipe too!
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Hi just wondering is the calories youve noted on the recipe per serve?
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HI Naomi, yes every recipe is calories per serve.
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This looks so delish! It’s definitely on my list to try. Where would I find the tandoori red colour please?-
Hi Kristy, you can get the red colour from most Asian grocers. It isn’t needed as it does not change the flavour, I just seem to have a slight addiction to colouring food. 😂
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“You should open a restaurant with food like this” was the comments made when I served this to 12 friends. Amazing recipe Megan. Thankyou x-
Do it Carolyn! Haha! So happy you were a cooking star for the night x
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This is such a delicious dish and my family absolutely loved it. I will definitely be making it again. Also, thank you for all of your cooking tips in this article – I’ve bookmarked it for future use.-
I am so glad your family loved it Joanie. Thanks for trying one of our recipes.
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You can never go wrong with curry! Love this recipe and will be sure to try it for my dinner party soon!-
Thanks Tania.
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Tikka Masala is a family favorite around here! Great recipe, that was enjoyed by all!-
Yay! So happy Ashley!
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This turned out so delicious! Even my picky kids gobbled it up!-
That is so awesome Kim. I love it when the kids enjoy it too!
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Tikka masala is one of my favorite dishes, and this one is no different. Such amazing flavors!
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Awesome! Thanks Danielle. So glad you enjoyed it.
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