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Chicken tikka masala
Mix the chicken with the yoghurt, ginger-garlic paste, chilli powder, garam masala, turmeric, lemon juice and salt. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour, or overnight.
Questions about this dish
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Chicken tikka masala take?
2 hr 10 min all in — 25 min prep, 45 min cook, 1 hr rest. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 4 people. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
Medium.
How spicy is it?
Mild.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Milk. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Gluten-free, Nut-free.
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What does it cost to cook?
Weeknight budget — about $8–16 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Mixing bowl, Oven, Baking tray, Dutch oven, Blender.
How much salt do I put in?
The recipe lists Salt at 1 tsp.
How much sugar?
1 tsp of Sugar.
What can I use instead?
Double cream → Greek yoghurt. Stir it in off the heat, loosened first with a spoon of the hot sauce, or it will split. Lighter and tangier. Grilled tikka → Chicken seared in a very hot cast-iron pan. Two minutes a side over the highest heat gives a fair char. Work in batches.
What should I watch for?
Check the largest piece of chicken is cooked through, 75°C in the centre, before serving.
Any tips from this recipe?
Thigh stays juicy under the grill. Breast is the curry-house default but dries out quickly. The sauce freezes well before the cream goes in. Add the cream when you reheat it.
Can I prepare this ahead?
The sauce freezes well before the cream goes in. Add the cream when you reheat it. Mix the chicken with the yoghurt, ginger-garlic paste, chilli powder, garam masala, turmeric, lemon juice and salt. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour, or overnight.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.