Chicken Tikka Masala (Nut-Free)


Servings: 2 people
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If you thought chicken tikka masala is difficult to cook, you have come to the right place. Chicken tikkas in a rich and creamy gravy that will have you licking your fingers. Try this nut-free recipe that is just as delicious. It doesn't get easier than this.

Ingredients
For the chicken tikkas
- 500 gm boneless chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp hung curd
- 2 tbsp ginger garlic paste
- 1 tsp black salt or kala namak
- 1 tbsp cumin powder (jeera)
- 1 tbsp coriander powder (dhania)
- 1/2 tsp garam masala powder
- 1 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder
- 1 tbsp gram flour (besan)
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp kasoori methi (dry fenugreek leaves)
- 2 tbsp mustard oil
For the masala
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1-2 chopped green chillies
- 2 tbsp ginger garlic paste
- 1 cup freshly pureed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
- 1 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder
- 1 tbsp cumin powder (jeera)
- 1 tbsp coriander powder (dhania)
- 1/2 cup cream
- 2 tsp kasoori methi (dry fenugreek leaves)
- 1 tsp garam masala powder
Instructions
- To begin, prepare the tikkas. I have used chicken thighs for this recipe. Cut them into desired tikka size pieces.
- For the marinade, in a large bowl, mix together hung curd, ginger garlic paste, black salt or kala namak, cumin powder (jeera), coriander powder (dhania), garam masala powder, Kashmiri red chilli powder, crushed kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves), lemon juice, gram flour (besan), and mustard oil.
- Mix well and leave it to marinate for 3-4 hours.
- Heat mustard oil in a pan on high heat. You can also use a grill pan for this.
- Add in the tikka pieces making sure the pan is hot so that you can hear the sizzle.
- Turn over the pieces, lower the heat, and grill until the tikkas are cooked. Remove and keep aside.
- To prepare the masala, heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan. Add in 2 tbsp butter and allow it to melt.
- Add in finely chopped onions and green chillies. Saute until the onions are translucent.
- Add the ginger garlic paste. Mix well and saute for a minute or two. Do not brown.
- Add in freshly pureed tomatoes and tomato puree for color. Saute until the tomatoes are cooked.
- Now add the dry masalas – salt to taste, Kashmiri red chilli powder, cumin powder, and coriander powder. Mix well and saute until you can see the oil appearing on the sides.
- Lower the heat. Add in the cream and mix well. Do not cook on high heat now or the cream will split.
- Now add in the chicken tikkas and mix until they are well coated. Add in crushed kasoori methi and garam masala powder. Mix.
- Cover it with a lid and simmer for a few minutes.
- The Chicken Tikka Masala is ready to serve. Garnish it with chopped coriander leaves and serve it with lachcha paranthas or naan.
Video
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This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
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May 20, 2022 @ 6:35 pm
Chicken tikka masala looks super tasty. I will try to prepare in your style.
May 26, 2022 @ 6:57 pm
Thank you so much. Do try it out 😊
May 20, 2022 @ 11:05 pm
To be honest I have never tried it. Tomorrow is my birthday, will give a try.
May 26, 2022 @ 6:58 pm
Thank you so much. Do try it out 😊
May 21, 2022 @ 8:05 am
The picture looks interesting, 1 question will mustard oil leave a bitter taste while frying, the oil has a strong smell, so just wondering.
May 26, 2022 @ 7:34 pm
Thank you so much 😊. The mustard oil gives a smoky taste to the tikkas. You can’t taste it in the final dish.
May 21, 2022 @ 1:10 pm
Nice to have your simple and mouth-watering recipes back Madhuji. This one looks absolutely scrumptious. Thank you for sharing.
May 26, 2022 @ 6:53 pm
Thank you so much Beta 😊
May 21, 2022 @ 10:27 pm
Yummy chicken tikka, mouth watering recipee. I do make in the same way. But I never add cream. Will try with cream. Thank you.
May 26, 2022 @ 7:20 pm
Thank you so much. Do try it out 😊
May 22, 2022 @ 1:14 pm
Looks an awesome option for lazy Sunday lunch. Would give it a try right away.
May 26, 2022 @ 7:20 pm
Thank you so much 😊
May 22, 2022 @ 2:41 pm
Such a tasty dish! I make my vegetarian version with paneer in a similar way. Tempting picture!
May 26, 2022 @ 7:21 pm
Thank you so much 😊
May 22, 2022 @ 3:29 pm
Wow! This is a super easy and yummy recipe, I’m glad we can make it without nuts because now a days there are so many people with nuts allergies. The photos are really done well – tempts you and makes the mouth water! 😅
May 26, 2022 @ 7:01 pm
Thank you so much. Do try it out 😊
May 22, 2022 @ 4:51 pm
The Chicken Tikks Masala looks delicious, Madhuji. I have not made it home. But I will now for my daughter. Thank you for sharing an easy recipe and the video is fabulous.
May 26, 2022 @ 7:00 pm
Thank you so much Harjeet. Do try it out 😊
May 22, 2022 @ 6:50 pm
Yummy in my tummy 😀 This was just so delicious and finger-licking good.
May 26, 2022 @ 7:22 pm
Thank you so much kiddo 😊
May 22, 2022 @ 7:45 pm
Your recipes are always mouth watering and this one is no different! I love how easy the steps are and I can’t wait to try my hand making this for my next dinner party!
May 26, 2022 @ 7:23 pm
Thank you so much, Beta. Do try it out 😊
May 22, 2022 @ 9:16 pm
Wow I’m definitely trying this out with mock meat.looks delicious
May 26, 2022 @ 7:24 pm
Thank you so much 😊
May 22, 2022 @ 10:49 pm
The recipe looks so easy and pictures are absolutely droolworthy. I am going to share this with my husband and I am sure he will start prepping for the dish the moment he sees it 🙂
May 26, 2022 @ 7:25 pm
Thank you so much. Hope he enjoys it 😊
May 23, 2022 @ 1:21 am
You explain the reciepe verry well, it looks easy and tryable. I gonna try this mouth watering reciepe soon. Thank you so much for such wonderful and helpfull reciepe.
May 26, 2022 @ 7:25 pm
Thank you so much, Beta. Do try it out 😊
May 23, 2022 @ 4:21 am
Another mouth watering recipe Madhu Ji. I will try your version Chicken Tikka masala next time.
May 26, 2022 @ 7:26 pm
Thank you so much, Beta. Do try it out 😊
May 23, 2022 @ 4:46 pm
Your chicken recipes are always mouth watering Aunty. Chicken tikka is my all time favorite, but now I will try it in your way. Loved the recipe!
May 26, 2022 @ 7:27 pm
Thank you so much, Beta. Do try it out 😊
May 23, 2022 @ 4:49 pm
Very well explained.i will be forwarding this to my husband who is a very good cook .
May 26, 2022 @ 7:27 pm
Thank you so much. I hope he enjoys it 😊
May 23, 2022 @ 8:31 pm
Yummilicious! Will surely try it. Without nuts, it surely looks like a
May 26, 2022 @ 7:28 pm
Thank you so much. Do try it out 😊
May 23, 2022 @ 9:44 pm
Love your recipes. Have tried a few too.
May 26, 2022 @ 7:28 pm
Thank you so much, Beta 😊
May 24, 2022 @ 3:07 pm
I am vegetarian so I will try with paneer. Hope it gives the same results
May 26, 2022 @ 7:29 pm
Thank you so much. Do try it out. The paneer version is delicious too 😊
May 24, 2022 @ 4:25 pm
looks sooooo yummy madhu ma’am… cashew nut or not… the gravy looks equally delectable. I haven’t tried making chicken Tikkas at home… I didn’t know it was possible in a tawa. thank you for this recipe… now I can try.
May 26, 2022 @ 7:35 pm
Thank you so much, Beta. Do try it out 😊
May 24, 2022 @ 4:31 pm
Yummy….always you give the best in
your recipe aunty you are an inspiration to all of us.
May 26, 2022 @ 7:35 pm
Thank you so much, Beta 😊
August 4, 2022 @ 12:07 pm
This is everyone’s favourite dish!
August 17, 2022 @ 12:16 pm
Thank you so much Noor 😊
January 5, 2023 @ 3:49 am
Made it today, was lovely and an easy to follow recipe
January 5, 2023 @ 6:35 am
Thank you so much for trying it out..I am glad you enjoyed it 😊