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Chicken Tikka Masala

Charred, spice-rubbed chunks of chicken folded into a silky, tomato-cream sauce with a gentle heat and a deep, smoky finish.

⏱ 20 minPrep time
🔥 30 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 British / Irish KitchenCategory
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Charred, spice-rubbed chunks of chicken folded into a silky, tomato-cream sauce with a gentle heat and a deep, smoky finish. It’s Britain’s most beloved curry — a dish born in the country’s Indian restaurants that has become a national institution.

Widely claimed as the nation’s favorite takeaway, chicken tikka masala is comfort food with its passport stamped. Serve with fluffy basmati rice and warm naan to mop up every bit of the orange-hued sauce.

Curious how this curry compares to others? Our World of Curries guide explains 8 styles.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. In a bowl, combine the yogurt, 1 tbsp garam masala, lemon juice, half the garlic, half the ginger, and 1 tsp salt. Add the chicken, coat well, cover, and marinate at least 1 hour or overnight.
  2. Heat the broiler and arrange the chicken on a foil-lined sheet pan. Broil, turning once, until charred at the edges and cooked through, 8-10 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion until golden, about 8 minutes; add the remaining garlic and ginger and cook 1 minute more.
  4. Stir in the tomatoes, remaining 1 tbsp garam masala, cumin, chili powder, and remaining salt. Simmer 10 minutes.
  5. Add the broiled chicken with any juices, then stir in the cream and butter; simmer 5 minutes more.
  6. Season to taste, scatter with chopped cilantro, and serve with rice and naan.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Marinate overnight if you can — the yogurt tenderizes the chicken and deepens the flavor. Charring under a hot broiler is what gives the sauce that smoky takeaway taste.

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Recipe details

Prep20 min
Cook30 min
Servings4
CategoryBritish / Irish Kitchen
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 →