The Great British Classic Restaurantstyle Chicken Tikka Masala

Right Then, Let’s Talk Curry Night: Cracking the Code on CTM

Who else agrees that a good curry is basically a fundamental human right? Honestly, if I could only eat one takeaway meal for the rest of my life, it would be this.

For ages, I hunted for the ultimate recipe. Finding an Authentic restaurant style CTM that you can recreate perfectly at home felt like searching for a unicorn.

Today, we're ending that search.

This is my tried and-tested recipe for the magnificent Chicken Tikka Masala . It’s the King of the British curry house classic recipe menu.

Forget thin, watery sauces. This version is rich, creamy, and bursting with flavour. It's your permission slip to ditch the expensive takeout menus forever.

Our Secret Simplified Success

People often get confused about Homemade Indian butter chicken vs tikka masala . While they share similar tomato and cream bases, CTM is typically lighter, tangier, and punchier.

This recipe focuses on achieving that signature charred chicken flavour without needing a tandoor oven. It really is a Simplified chicken curry with cream base, but tastes incredibly complex.

The effort level here is medium, mainly because you absolutely cannot skip the marination step. That's the secret to tender meat! We need that Best chicken tikka marinade yoghurt working its magic for at least four hours.

That initial soak is why this Chicken Tikka Masala recipe easy approach yields such fantastic results. The total active cooking time is under 40 minutes, spot on for a weeknight dinner.

The Magic in the Masala Sauce

The real star, of course, is the sauce. We are perfecting a luxurious Creamy tomato masala sauce recipe . This sauce has depth, warmth, and just the right amount of tanginess to keep you coming back for more.

It feeds four hungry people generously.

My biggest tip for anyone learning How to make chicken tikka at home ? The spice Kasoori methi in curry is non-negotiable.

Those dried fenugreek leaves are what give the curry its unique, sweet, authentic perfume. Without it, you just have chicken and tomato sauce.

With it? You have the best curry house experience possible.

This dish is comforting, impressive, and surprisingly hearty. If you are looking for What to serve with chicken tikka , trust me get some piping hot garlic naan bread ready.

You're going to want to mop up every last drop of this sauce!

Getting the Good Stuff: Ingredients and Kit

Right then, let's talk shopping. You don't need a million obscure spices to nail this Chicken Tikka Masala recipe easy .

We are aiming for that Authentic restaurant style CTM , but simplified. Think big flavour without the faff. The quality of a few key bits makes all the difference here, trust me.

The Foundation: Marinade and Meat

For the absolute best flavour, everything starts with the chicken marinade. We use full fat Greek Yoghurt . Seriously, don't skimp. You need about ½ cup (120 ml) of the thick stuff.

The fat protects the meat, and the acidity tenderizes it. This is why it’s the Best chicken tikka marinade yoghurt base.

I learned that the hard way; low-fat yoghurt turns the chicken rubbery! We use 1.5 lbs (680 g) of cubed chicken breast.

I prefer breast for ease, but thigh works brilliantly too.

For the sauce, get a good quality can of crushed tomatoes (400g can) . They are the backbone of the Creamy tomato masala sauce recipe .

Don't forget the Heavy Cream , about ½ cup (120 ml) . That’s what gives it that signature silky texture, making this a truly Simplified chicken curry with cream .

Spices and Flavour Superstars

The essential combination is Cumin, Coriander, and Paprika. But the real magic, the thing that screams "British curry house classic recipe," is the Kasoori methi in curry .

That’s dried fenugreek leaves. You must, must, must use 1 teaspoon (5 ml) . Crush it between your palms before adding it right at the end.

It adds a slightly sweet, earthy complexity. Honestly, if you skip the methi, you’re basically making Homemade Indian butter chicken vs tikka masala and that’s a different dish entirely!

If you need a quick substitution for the Kashmiri chili powder, just use sweet paprika and a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper for heat.

Remember, toast your ground spices for just two minutes before adding the wet ingredients. This "blooming" step is non-negotiable for max flavour.

Essential Kit for Your Kitchen

The great thing about How to make chicken tikka at home is that you don't need fancy tools.

You need a big, sturdy pan, ideally a heavy bottomed pot or Dutch oven , for simmering the sauce. This stops the thick tomato base from burning.

You also need a large skillet or frying pan to sear the chicken. The goal is to get that lovely char on the chicken pieces that's what makes it "tikka.

" If you don't have a Dutch oven, any deep saucepan will absolutely do the trick! That’s all the kit required to get started on your perfect Chicken Tikka Masala .

Once it’s done, all you need to worry about is What to serve with chicken tikka ! (Naan, obviously.)

Prepping for the Perfect Curry Night: The Mise en Place Magic

Honestly, I used to think mise en place was just something fancy chefs said on telly. But trust me, getting organized is the real secret to a delicious, stress free meal.

If you want to know How to make chicken tikka at home without panicking, this is where we start.

First up, the chicken. Slice your 680g of chicken breast into decent 1 inch chunks. Then, let’s make the incredible Best chicken tikka marinade yoghurt .

Mix your yoghurt, fresh ginger, garlic, lemon juice, and all those vibrant spices together in a big bowl. Toss the chicken until every piece is utterly coated.

Organization tip: I always prep this stage the night before, which makes a huge difference.

Stage 1: The Yoghurt Soak and Sizzle

This is where the 'tikka' part happens. The yoghurt marinade is acidic, which tenderises the chicken beautifully. You need a minimum of 30 minutes in the fridge, but if you can manage 4 hours/Overnight , the chicken will be unbelievably tender it’s worth the wait, honestly.

When you’re ready to cook, get your skillet roaring. We need high heat! Add your oil and the first tablespoon of butter.

Sear the chicken in batches. Don't crowd the pan, or it will steam instead of char. Cook them hard for 3 4 minutes per side until they have lovely brown edges.

We are building that smoky flavour profile that makes this an Authentic restaurant style CTM . Set the beautiful pieces aside.

They don't need to be cooked through yet.

Stage 2: Building the Rich, Creamy Masala

Right, on to the sauce. This is the backbone of the entire British curry house classic recipe . Melt the remaining butter and add your finely diced onion.

Now, patience is key. You must cook the onions slowly for 8 10 minutes until they are soft and translucent.

Don't rush this stage! If your onions aren't completely soft, your sauce will be lumpy and lack that incredible depth.

Next, stir in the garlic and ginger for a minute until they smell amazing, then add your ground cumin, coriander, and paprika along with the tomato purée.

This is called 'blooming' the spices. Cook this mix for 2 3 minutes . Oh my gosh, the smell alone is worth the effort! You're creating the foundation for your rich Creamy tomato masala sauce recipe .

Pro Tips for Next Level Flavour

Once the sauce base (crushed tomatoes and stock) has simmered for 15 minutes and thickened up, stir the seared chicken back in.

Let everything bubble gently for 5 7 minutes to finish cooking the chicken (aim for an internal temperature of 165° F/ 74° C ).

The final flourish is the secret weapon: Kasoori methi in curry . Take the pot off the heat before stirring in the heavy cream.

Then, crumble those dried fenugreek leaves between your palms and toss them in. That subtle, slightly sweet aroma is what separates a decent homemade curry from a brilliant one.

It ties this whole Simplified chicken curry with cream together perfectly. Rest it for ten minutes and you’ll have the best Chicken Tikka Masala of your life!

Perfecting the Experience: Your Post Cook Notes

Right, you’ve absolutely smashed the main event! You’ve successfully tackled the challenge. Honestly, this homemade version makes the whole Homemade Indian butter chicken vs tikka masala debate irrelevant.

You've cooked the best one! Did you know Chicken Tikka Masala is often called Britain's true national dish? Seriously, it is that popular! Now for the easy bit: how to serve and save this beauty.

This section is all about getting that Authentic restaurant style CTM experience right here at home.

Making the Dish Shine: Serving Suggestions

For plating, keep it simple and authentic. Scoop the curry into a warm bowl. Make sure to drizzle that gorgeous, thick creamy tomato masala sauce recipe over the top.

I always sprinkle a generous amount of fresh coriander on top. That bright green colour really pops against the orange sauce!

We always serve ours with fluffy Basmati rice. And, honestly, you MUST have Garlic Naan . It is essential for mopping up every last drop of sauce.

If you want the full British curry house classic recipe experience, serve a small dish of cooling cucumber raita on the side.

Raita gives a lovely, fresh contrast to the richness. That’s truly the answer to what to serve with chicken tikka .

Leftovers? Yes Please!

Good news! This dish is almost always better the next day. The flavours truly marry overnight. Refrigerate leftovers quickly, ideally within 2 hours of cooking.

Store the curry sealed in an airtight container for up to 3 days .

Freezing is totally fine, too. Freeze portions for up to three months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge first.

Then, warm the curry gently on the hob over a medium low heat. You might need a tiny splash of cream or water if it looks dry.

Crucial safety tip: Never boil the curry hard once the cream is added, or it could split!

Switching it Up: Variations & Dietary Hacks

If you need a dairy-free tweak, I've got you covered. Swap the yoghurt in the best chicken tikka marinade yoghurt for a thick coconut yoghurt.

Then use rich full fat coconut cream instead of double cream in the sauce. It still tastes amazing and provides that desired rich body.

This is a fantastic simplified chicken curry with cream substitute.

For vegetarians, skip the chicken completely! Try cubed paneer cheese or even large chunks of roasted cauliflower instead. Just skip the marination time for these options.

Oh, and if you forgot the Kasoori methi in curry , shame on you! That dried fenugreek is the true secret weapon.

It gives that unique sweet, curry house aroma. Don't miss it next time!

Quick Health Nibs

Look, this gorgeous curry isn’t exactly diet food. But it is real, homemade food! This Chicken Tikka Masala recipe easy is packed with lean protein from the chicken.

By making it yourself, you control the added salt and sugar. This is a much leaner, healthier way of knowing how to make chicken tikka at home .

You’ve done brilliant work! Go and enjoy your stunning curry night. It’s perfect!