Chicken Tikka Masala

Silky tomato sauce meets tender spiced chicken in this iconic Indian comfort dish—it's a weeknight winner that feels restaurant-quality but comes together in under 45 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 600g chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 150g Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons garam masala
• 1 tablespoon turmeric
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 400g canned tomatoes
• 200ml coconut cream
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• Salt and fresh coriander to finish

Method:

1. Marinate chicken in yogurt, garam masala, turmeric, garlic, and ginger for 15 minutes (or while you prep everything else).
2. Heat oil in a large pan and sear the marinated chicken until golden; set aside.
3. In the same pan, toast cumin seeds, then add onion and cook until soft.
4. Add canned tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes to break down.
5. Return chicken to the pan, pour in coconut cream, and simmer gently for 15 minutes until sauce thickens.
6. Season with salt and scatter fresh coriander over the top.
7. Serve with rice or warm naan.

Chef's tip: Don't skip the yogurt marinade—it tenderizes the chicken and lets those warm spices properly coat every piece, transforming simple ingredients into something genuinely craveable.