Spiced Chicken Tikka Masala with Basmati Rice
Tender chicken pieces marinated in yogurt and spices, simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce with cream and served with fragrant basmati rice. This Indian recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, yogurt, garam masala for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 chicken thighs
- 1 cup yogurt
- 1 tbsp garam masala
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 4 medium tomatoes
- 1 large onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp grated ginger
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1.5 cups basmati rice
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
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Equipment for this recipe
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Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1.5 lbs chicken thighs, 1 cup yogurt, 1 tbsp garam masala, 1 tsp turmeric, 2 tbsp grated ginger, and 4 minced garlic cloves. Marinate for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet. Add 1 large diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp grated ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 4 medium chopped tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in 1 tbsp garam masala and 1 tsp turmeric, cooking for 2 minutes until aromatic.
- Step 4: Add the marinated chicken and cook for 8-10 minutes until browned and nearly cooked through. Pour in 1/2 cup heavy cream and simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, rinse 1.5 cups basmati rice and cook according to package instructions. Serve the masala over the rice, garnished with fresh cilantro.









