Easy Chicken Tikka Masala with Coconut Milk

Easy Chicken Tikka Masala is a hearty meal that is sure to make your heart and belly happy! Why order in when you can whip up this delicious flavorful meal in no time! A combination of cubed chicken, potatoes, and onions infused with spices like curry, coriander, and cumin in a creamy tikka masala simmered sauce. Protein-packed, flavorful, and oh-so-satisfying!

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Homemade Chicken Tikka Masala

Served over rice, cozy up and enjoy a warm bowl for days since it makes a perfect left over meal or as a meal prep for the week! Using ingredients you most likely have on hand like chicken, potatoes, onions, and tikka masala sauce jars, you can whip this hearty flavor packed meal in no time and skip ordering in. You can choose to add mushrooms, peas, bamboo shoots, or colored peppers if you like.

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Variations of Tikka Masala

Chicken masala recipe is sure to be a huge hit but did you know you can make change it up and make it seafood style tikka masala or beef chunks? Instead of chicken you can add shrimp, scallops or bass fish.

How Else Can You Prepare this Dish?

Chicken:

Have some chicken breast in the freezer? Great! Thaw it out and cut it up into cubes to sauté it! No frozen chicken breast and you don’t want to buy any? No problem, you can substitute them for chicken tenders if you have a bag or package lying around in your freezer. Fry them up and sauté them lightly with the other ingredients! Just as flavorful just adding different textures! Don’t like chicken breast? Go for boneless chicken thighs! It makes the dish a little more savory and adds extra broth to the sauce!

Onion:

Lots of recipes call for onions. Have you ever found yourself asking: which kind? Usually any kind of onion you have on hand will do. But, it is good to know how the type of onion you use affects the flavor of your dish. Sweet onions are mild in flavor and won’t overpower your dish. They work great in a dish like tikka masala if your focus is on capturing the flavors of the masala sauce. White onions are very similar as well, very light flavor and merge well with other flavors.

Yellow onions work well too, as they offer a cinch more flavor than other onions and have a higher heat intensity level. This means they can be cooked for a while and not fall apart! Red onions are strongest in flavor and are usually used more raw like in salads or salsas. They can work in a dish like tikka masala if you like that extra kick of flavor!

Potatoes:

You’ll notice most recipes don’t include potatoes. This is a personal touch my family and I enjoy. It adds more texture and starchiness which keeps the sauce creamy. Also, it makes every bite chunky, wholesome, and helps absorb the flavor of the yummy curry spices!

Tikka Masala Sauce:

I used store-bought tikka masala jars that I think are the perfect balance of flavors. Buy your favorite brand and keep it in your pantry for recipes like this or many others! Want to go homemade all the way? Go for it! The sauce isn’t that difficult but it has specific ingredients you may not always have on hand like garam masala. But basically it’s an aromatic tomato sauce with curry!

Coconut Milk:

This is also another optional ingredient that I love adding. Usually the tikka masala sauce has thick or heavy cream to create a balance in flavor and add some creaminess to the texture. Adding the coconut milk also helps to add thickness to the sauce and brings a nice flavor to the stew.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Tips:

Preparing Chicken Tikka Masala

• For added flavor and tenderness if using chicken breast, marinate in yogurt.
• Use a cast iron skillet if you have one, if not, a regular pan will do.
• You can cook them in a pot, instant pot, or crockpot.
• If you want a juicier chicken piece, use thighs instead of chicken breast.
• Add or remove spices to your liking. This dish tastes great with a zing to it, so feel free to add chili flakes, fresh chili pieces, or cayenne pepper.
• Garnish with fresh coriander, shallots, basil, or parsley.

Serve Chicken Tikka Masala with:

• White basmati or jasmine rice (or rice of your choice)
• Naan or Flat Bread (spread some garlic sauce or garlic and herb sauce on either bread for a perfect combo of flavors)
• A refreshing salad of your choice
• Garlic bread
• Samosas

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How to make Easy Chicken Tikka Masala with Coconut Milk

Ingredients

• chicken breast or chicken tenders cubed
• medium potatoes; cubed
• medium onions; diced
• olive oil or avocado oil
• Tikka Masala jars
• canned coconut milk
• tomato paste
• sour cream optional
• curry spice
• cumin spice
• coriander
• salt to taste

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Instructions

1. Cube the chickens into 1 inch sized cubes then add into a medium size pot on high heat. Sear for about 5-6 minutes then drain any water released by the chicken then place pot back onto stove top.
2. Add in the diced potatoes, diced onion and sauté’ for about 3-4 minutes. Add in the 2 jars of tikka masala sauce, 1 can of coconut milk, curry spice, cumin, coriander, tomato paste, and sour cream.
3. Allow to boil for a few minutes then simmer for 20- 30 minutes covered. Add salt to taste and enjoy over a warm bed of rice.

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Recipe you may want to try

• SKILLET-SAUTÉED POTATOES AND ONIONS
• CAJUN SALMON RICE WITH TAHINI SALAD
• CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI FETTUCINE ALFREDO
• THE TASTIEST PHILLY CHEESESTEAK SLIDERS
• BRAISED GREEN BEANS- LOUBIEH BZEIT
• CREAMY CHICKPEA CURRY STEW
• CARROT AND SWEET POTATO THAI SOUP
• GRILLED LIME AND CILANTRO SHRIMP
• LEMON MINT GARLIC CHICKEN STEW
• HEARTY KAFTA AND POTATO STEW

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