Tender marinated chicken masala (Printable)

Marinated chicken simmered in a creamy, spiced tomato sauce with fragrant Indian-American flavors.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken Marinade

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
03 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
04 - 2 tsp ground cumin
05 - 2 tsp ground coriander
06 - 1.5 tsp garam masala
07 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1 tsp ground turmeric
09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated

→ Sauce

12 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
13 - 1 tbsp vegetable oil
14 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
15 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
16 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
17 - 1 tbsp ground cumin
18 - 1 tbsp garam masala
19 - 2 tsp ground paprika
20 - 1 tsp ground coriander
21 - 1 tsp chili powder (optional)
22 - 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
23 - 1 cup heavy cream
24 - 1 tsp sugar
25 - Salt and pepper, to taste
26 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Combine yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, garam masala, paprika, turmeric, salt, garlic, and ginger in a large bowl. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2 to 4 hours.
02 - Preheat the oven broiler to high. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a rack on top. Arrange the marinated chicken pieces on the rack. Broil for 5 to 7 minutes per side until lightly charred and nearly cooked through. Alternatively, grill or pan-sear the chicken.
03 - Heat butter and vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and ginger, cooking for an additional 1 minute.
04 - Incorporate cumin, garam masala, paprika, coriander, and optional chili powder into the skillet. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
05 - Add tomato sauce and sugar. Simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Stir in heavy cream and continue simmering for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
07 - Add broiled chicken pieces to the sauce. Simmer for 7 to 10 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and tender.
08 - Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over the dish. Serve hot alongside steamed basmati rice or naan bread.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Restaurant-Quality Flavor: Achieve the authentic, rich taste you love from Indian restaurants right at home.
  • Creamy & Comforting: The perfectly spiced, creamy tomato sauce is the ultimate comfort food, rich and satisfying.
  • Tender & Juicy Chicken: Marinating the chicken in a yogurt-spice blend ensures it's incredibly moist and flavorful.
  • Customizable Spice: Easily adjust the heat level to your preference by adding more or less chili powder.
02 -
  • Don't Skip the Marinade: A minimum of 30 minutes is good, but 2-4 hours (or overnight) is ideal for the most tender, flavorful chicken.
  • Bloom the Spices: Sauté the dry spices in the hot butter and oil for about 30 seconds until they become fragrant. This crucial step deepens their flavor before adding liquids.
  • Simmer for Richness: Allow the tomato sauce to simmer for the full 10 minutes to develop its flavor before adding the cream. Let it simmer again with the cream to achieve the perfect thick, creamy consistency.
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