Chicken tikka masala (CTM) is a mild Indian curry dish of bite-sized chicken chunks (tikka) marinated and cooked in a tandoor oven, then added to a spicy sauce (masala). This is one dish I must order whenever I dine in an Indian restaurant. It has such a perfect blend of spices and flavour that goes well with either naans or rice.
After reading more about this dish, I was quite surprised to learn that it was not exactly an authentic Indian cuisine. Both the Indians and the Brits lay claims on it. But, till now, its origin is still in dispute. More detailed explanations can be read at these links: The Sun and Menu Magazine.
Regardless of its origin, CTM has become so popular in the UK that the former Foreign Secretary Robin Cook proclaimed CTM as “British’s true national dish” in 2001. Now, it is served in restaurants all over the world.
Being a noob in Indian cooking, I didn’t have the guts to make CTM even though I had bookmarked the recipe for almost a year. Am I a coward? Well, maybe. Last month, I picked up the courage and did it!! Not once but several times! Proud and satisfied.
To start, I marinated the chicken chunks overnight. On the next day, I cooked them and made the sauce. Easy and fun, I must say. I followed largely the recipe from Annabel Karmel’s “Kids Can Cook” cookbook. Along the way, I had also modified certain steps and improvised some ingredients. This recipe is kid-friendly and not spicy at all. Though the ingredients seem a lot, they are readily available in the supermarket. They lend a distinctive flavour to the dish and also make my kitchen smell so fragrant and aromatic during cooking! This recipe will give you plenty of sauce. So, feel free to add some greens such as cauliflower, eggplants and lady fingers to make it more nutritious, and served with rice, chappati or naan to complete the meal.
I don’t know how much my CTM version would fare against those served in Indian restaurants. But, it really made my day seeing how my hubby and son polished up the leftover sauce. If you have never tried CTM or Indian food before, this dish is probably a great introduction to the world of spices.
>> Get the recipe and step by step photos for CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA at PAGE 2 BELOW.
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Wat a super delicious, irresistible and addictive chicken tikka masala.
Priya: Thanks!! 😉
This used to be my favorite dish to order at Indian restaurants when I still ate meat. Now I love it with paneer! I’ll have to try it prepared that way!
Joanne: Thanks for sharing your view. I got to check out paneer now. 🙂
I love introducing my kids to spices – they actually like Indian food, so I am always looking for good Indian recipes.
Jeanette: It’s great that your kids love Indian food. Do give it a try! 😉
love the tomatoes lining the rice and congrats on all those features!
Janine: Thanks for your sweet words!! 😉
The recipe doesn’t seem difficult to follow. Will definitely give it a try. BTW, I have tried your other recipes which have turned out well. Thanks for sharing.
ChristineT: Yup, once you have prepared the ingredients, the steps are easy-to-follow. Even my hubby can do it too!! Thanks for your kind feedback! Looking forward for more (be it +ve or -ve)! 😉
By the way, what is pisin yogurt?
ChristineT: Thanks for pointing out. It’s a typo (I was in a “sleepy” mode when typing this post. Hehe!). Should be “plain” not “plsin”. 🙂
Your blog looks COOL!!!!!!!!! I thought I got into different house. =D I love it. It looks sleek! I wish I can change mine too… 🙁 Delicious Tikka Masala. I admit that I haven’t tried this most famous dish yet in my life… I know, where was I?
By the way, congratulations on those big features! I’m so happy for you! Keep up good work~~~!
Nami (JOC): Your comment is so sweet, as always!! Thanks!! 🙂
curry looks fantastic. yumm
Kanan: Thanks!! 🙂
this looks amazing!!!!! whether it’s for adults or kids it looks fantabulous!! yummm
bilbaobab: Thanks!! Your comment is so sweet! 🙂
This was the first Indian dish that I ever tasted. We never go to an Indian restaurant without ordering it! I’ve never made it myself either.
Thyme (Sarah): Do give it a try! It’s easier than you thought 😉
this curry sounds appealing to both young and old. great clicks!
Noobcook: Thanks so much!! 😉
Can I pan fry the chic 1st instead of grilling them?
Elszie: Yes, you can. Happy trying! 😉
Congrats on all your features. Well-deserved!
I enjoy CTM but yet to cook it at home.
Tigerfish: Thanks!! Time to give it a try! 😉
Nice ingredients! Although I have no toddlers, I was looking for a mild version of chicken tikka masala – not too spicy! And yours looks fantastic!
I had a question though: if I use the double quantity of chicken, do I need to double the rest of the ingredients? Since you mention that the sauce will be plenty, do I actually need to do that? Thanx!
Despina: To double the quantity of chicken, you may need to double the amount for the marinade. But for the sauce, I think you need to increase 1.5 times the amount will do if you don’t need plenty of sauce. Hope it helps and happy trying! 😉
Thanx for the tips! I cooked it yesterday! It’s delicious!!
Despina: Glad it suits your palate! Thanks for the feedback! 😉
Hi this recipe looks great and I’m definitely gonna try it for my 2 yr old. Just a question…. How do u make chicken stock?
Vanitha: Thanks!! The method is more or less like my homemade fish stock. Sometimes when I was lazy, I will use Maggi concentrated chicken stock. If you want to make your own chicken stock, you can find the recipe from internet. 😉
I am due for 2nd child soon. Worry about my first child’s meals during confinement. Is this suitable for freezing?
Elmery: I haven’t tried freezing it myself. According to bbcgoodfood, CKM can be frozen (http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/12798/chicken-tikka-masala). For details and freezing tips, please read more at this link: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/12798/chicken-tikka-masala. As my recipe is using coconut milk, I would suggest that it is best to consume this frozen dish with 3-4 days. Hope it helps!! 😉
The basics of Chicken tikka masala sauce are simple: start with a base of aromatics—onions, garlic, and ginger are common—cooked in oil, ghee, or butter. Add a simple spice mixture, largely based on cumin, coriander, and chilis, throw in some canned tomatoes, cook them down, then puree the whole deal with heavy cream and fresh cilantro.
Sahil@Cookingtips: Thank you for your kind sharing! 🙂
Hi there – this looks like a wonderful recipe – with great reviews, bravo! I am planning on making this for y kids but my son has a restriction on eating dairy, what are your thoughts on me eliminating (or replacing with ?) the yogourt? ….
Thanks for your thoughts! I want’s sure if it was essential to the recipe.
Warmly – Julie
Julie Dillon: Thanks for the compliment! I’m not sure what you can substitute it. Can you find a non-dairy yogurt? If you can’t, I think it should be fine to eliminate the yoghurt even though it may yield a different taste.