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Simple Chicken Tikka Masala

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 3, 2014

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Simple Chicken Tikka Masala

Ingredients

1 tablespoon garam masala Salt and pepper 4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 onion, chopped fine2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger 3 garlic cloves, minced1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes ¼ cup heavy cream ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves

Before You Begin

Garam masala is an Indian seasoning made from warm spices like clove, cinnamon, pepper, cardamom, and cumin. Our taste test winner is McCormick Gourmet Collection Garam Masala.

Instructions

  1. Combine garam masala, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in bowl. Toss chicken with 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon spice mixture in separate bowl.
  2. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onion and cook until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in ginger, garlic, and remaining 2 teaspoons spice mixture and cook until fragrant, abut 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and chicken and simmer until slightly thickened and chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Off heat, stir in cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with cilantro. Serve.
Simple Chicken Tikka Masala

Simple Chicken Tikka Masala

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 tablespoon garam masala
Salt and pepper
4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped fine
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
¼ cup heavy cream
¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves

Ingredients

1 tablespoon garam masala
Salt and pepper
4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped fine
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
¼ cup heavy cream
¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves

Ingredients

1 tablespoon garam masala
Salt and pepper
4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped fine
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
¼ cup heavy cream
¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves

Why This Recipe Works

Thanks to garam masala, we didn’t need to use half of the spice cabinet to flavor our chicken. We save time by cooking cubed chicken right in the flavorful tomato sauce and then stirring in heavy cream at the end.

Before You Begin

Garam masala is an Indian seasoning made from warm spices like clove, cinnamon, pepper, cardamom, and cumin. Our taste test winner is McCormick Gourmet Collection Garam Masala.

Instructions

  1. Combine garam masala, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in bowl. Toss chicken with 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon spice mixture in separate bowl.
  2. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onion and cook until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in ginger, garlic, and remaining 2 teaspoons spice mixture and cook until fragrant, abut 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and chicken and simmer until slightly thickened and chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Off heat, stir in cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with cilantro. Serve.

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