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    Home / Dinner / Chicken Tikka Masala (North Indian)

    Chicken Tikka Masala (North Indian)

    Charred, spice-crusted chicken swimming in a rich, smoky tomato-cream sauce — Britain’s favorite curry with deep North Indian roots.

    ⏱ 25 minPrep time
    🔥 25 minCook time
    🍽 4Servings
    🏷 DinnerCategory
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    Chicken tikka masala is the curry the world fell for: charred pieces of chicken tikka dropped into a velvety tomato-cream sauce. Its story links the tandoor ovens of North India to the immigrant kitchens of Britain, where a cook is said to have added tomato soup and cream to a too-dry tikka and created a legend. Today it is a global favorite, yet its heart remains unmistakably North Indian.

    Smoky, charred, and wrapped in cream

    The chicken is marinated in spiced yogurt, then broiled or grilled until the edges char and turn smoky, which is the soul of the dish. The sauce is silky and gently sweet, with warmth from garam masala and a brightening squeeze of lemon at the end. Spoon it over rice or mop it up with naan, and you will understand why it conquered the world. The gentle heat and creamy finish make it a favorite even with those who usually shy away from spicy food.

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    Step by stepInstructions

    1. In a bowl, mix the yogurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, 1 teaspoon of garam masala, cumin, chili powder, turmeric, and salt. Add the chicken and toss to coat, then marinate for 30 minutes.
    2. Preheat the broiler. Arrange the chicken on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil for 10 to 12 minutes, turning once, until charred at the edges and cooked through.
    3. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft and golden, about 6 minutes.
    4. Pour in the tomato puree and simmer for 8 minutes, until thickened.
    5. Add the charred chicken to the sauce along with the remaining garam masala and crushed fenugreek leaves. Simmer for 5 minutes.
    6. Stir in the cream and simmer for 3 more minutes without boiling. Adjust salt and serve hot with rice or naan.

    💡 Chef tips & storage

    Broil or grill the chicken until the edges really char; that smoky flavor is the heart of the dish. If the sauce tastes flat, a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of salt usually fixes it.

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    Recipe details

    Prep25 min
    Cook25 min
    Servings4
    CategoryDinner
    PublishedAugust 17, 2026
    Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

    Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

    Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

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