Gmail-Style Chicken Tikka Masala
Tender chicken in a fragrant tomato-cashew sauce with warm spices, simmered to perfection for a restaurant-quality weeknight dinner. This indian-inspired chicken ready in about 75 minutes pairs plain yogurt, minced ginger, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes boneless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tbsp, minced ginger
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp coriander
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup, toasted cashews
- 1 medium, finely chopped onion
- 2 medium, diced tomato
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix 1 pound cubed chicken thighs with 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons minced ginger, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon garam masala, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon coriander. Marinate for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds and 1 medium finely chopped onion, sautéing for 5 minutes until golden. Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until darkened.
- Step 3: Add 1 pound marinated chicken and cook for 5 minutes until browned. Stir in 2 medium diced tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes until broken down.
- Step 4: Add 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/4 cup toasted cashews, stirring until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon (about 5 minutes). Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 5: Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Gmail-Style Chicken Tikka Masala take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (45 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Gmail-Style Chicken Tikka Masala?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep plain yogurt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Gmail-Style Chicken Tikka Masala?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Gmail-Style Chicken Tikka Masala for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Gmail-Style Chicken Tikka Masala?
Indian chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
