Skip to main content

Quick Chicken Tikka Masala

4.1

(69)

Image may contain Food Curry Dessert Ice Cream Creme Cream and Bread
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Rhoda Boone

Aromatic spices and tangy yogurt give great flavor to this quick riff on the Indian classic.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    22 minutes

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

1 (2½") piece ginger, peeled
4 garlic cloves, peeled
½ medium yellow onion
1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 3 breasts), cut into 1" cubes
2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more to taste
¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided, plus more to taste
2½ teaspoons garam masala, divided
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1½ teaspoons turmeric
⅛-¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (10-ounce) package frozen peas, thawed
½ cup plain full-fat or low-fat yogurt (not Greek)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
Naan (Indian flatbread; for serving)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Pulse ginger and garlic in a food processor until finely chopped. Add onion and pulse again until finely chopped.

    Step 2

    Toss chicken with 1½ tsp. salt, ½ tsp. pepper, and 1 tsp. garam masala in a medium bowl.

    Step 3

    Heat oil over high in a large skillet (at least 12" in diameter). Add chicken and cook, tossing occasionally, until lightly browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer chicken to a clean medium bowl.

    Step 4

    Heat same skillet over medium-high and add butter, chopped onion mixture, ½ tsp. salt, and ¼ tsp. pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add tomato paste, turmeric, cayenne, and remaining 1½ tsp. garam masala and cook, stirring constantly, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until hot, about 2 minutes. Return chicken to pan, add peas, and cook, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, about 1 minute more.

    Step 5

    Remove from heat and stir in yogurt and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Divide among 4 plates, top with cilantro, and serve with naan.

Read More
A sheet-pan wonder with lots of crispy rice.
Sticky-sweet mall-style bourbon chicken gets a fall makeover.
The Thanksgiving staple makes for a stellar weeknight dinner.
Enchiladas meet pumpkin in this cozy weeknight dinner.
Cut steak into cubes and suddenly it transforms into a quick-cooking protein.
Protein on protein on protein. Great on their own or stirred into tomato sauce.
A fancy-feeling dish that comes together in 20 minutes.
Full of crunchy veg and a miso-maple dressing.