# Chicken Tikka Masala

A warming and comforting classic Indian restaurant dish made with a homemade spice blend.

- Cuisine: Indian
- Category: Dinner
- Language: en

## Ingredients

- coriander (ground seeds of cilantro)
- cumin
- cinnamon
- cardamom
- turmeric
- black pepper
- cloves
- red pepper flakes
- fresh garlic
- fresh ginger
- chicken thighs
- 1 cup yogurt
- high smoke point oil
- onion
- butter
- red pepper
- tomato paste
- 1 can canned tomatoes
- cilantro stems and all
- cream
- rice
- fresh coriander leaves

## Instructions

1. Start by blending your own spices: coriander, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, black pepper, cloves, and red pepper flakes.
2. Grate fresh garlic and ginger.
3. Combine the freshly made spice blend with the grated garlic and ginger.
4. Add chicken thighs and yogurt to the spice, garlic, and ginger mixture.
5. Marinate the chicken in the fridge.
6. Heat high smoke point oil in a pan.
7. Sear the chicken in batches to get an initial sear and wake up the spice blend.
8. Rest the seared chicken on a plate while searing the remaining batches.
9. Add onion to the hot pan to deglaze and get all the bits off the bottom.
10. Add the remaining spices to the pan with the onion.
11. Add butter, red pepper, and tomato paste to the pan and allow the tomato paste to brown slightly.
12. Pour in a can of tomatoes and stock.
13. Add cilantro stems.
14. Stir in cream and allow it to simmer, then reduce.
15. Add the seared chicken back into the sauce.
16. Serve the chicken tikka masala over rice and garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

## Equipment

- microplane
- pan
- plate
- fridge
- jumbo jet spoon

## Tips

- Spices lose potency after about a year, so buy them in appropriate-sized containers and use them within that timeframe.
- Avoid pre-blended and pre-mixed spices as they are too specific.
- Do not skip the step of searing the chicken for initial flavor.
- Keep your pantry organized by keeping similar items together and doing quarterly inventory.
- Store spices in airtight containers, within arm's reach but away from heat and sunlight.

## Source

- Original video: https://youtu.be/tnYq-WggkZQ?si=7kB6ydS7DgDdzVcZ
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/5a15d756-22ad-4df7-8e2a-5466eb99f721
- Extracted: 2025-12-21

Extracted from the video by Clip Recipe (https://www.cliprecipe.com). Quantities and steps are as stated or shown in the video. Site guide for agents: https://www.cliprecipe.com/llms.txt