Spice Garden-Inspired Chicken Tikka Masala

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-25 · Updated 2026-07-25

Tender chunks of marinated chicken simmered in a richly spiced tomato cream sauce inspired by classic Indian flavors. This Indian-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 100 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, plain yogurt, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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

• 1.5 lbs cut into 1-inch pieces boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp ginger paste
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 medium finely chopped onion
• 1 1/2 cups tomato puree
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp ginger paste, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp garam masala, 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, and 1 tsp salt. Add 1.5 lbs chicken thigh pieces and coat thoroughly. Marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight in refrigerator.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion and sauté for 5-6 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add remaining 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp ginger paste to onions and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1 1/2 cups tomato puree and 1 1/2 tsp garam masala. Simmer the sauce for 8-10 minutes until it thickens and deepens in color.
5. Step 5: Add marinated chicken pieces along with marinade to the skillet. Cover and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through.
6. Step 6: Lower heat and stir in 3/4 cup heavy cream. Simmer uncovered for 5 more minutes until sauce is creamy and coats the chicken.
7. Step 7: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and serve hot with basmati rice or naan bread.