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Quick Chicken Tikka Masala

4.1

(69)

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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Rhoda Boone

Aromatic spices and tangy yogurt give great flavor to this quick riff on the Indian classic.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    22 minutes

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

1 (2½") piece ginger, peeled
4 garlic cloves, peeled
½ medium yellow onion
1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 3 breasts), cut into 1" cubes
2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more to taste
¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided, plus more to taste
2½ teaspoons garam masala, divided
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1½ teaspoons turmeric
⅛-¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (10-ounce) package frozen peas, thawed
½ cup plain full-fat or low-fat yogurt (not Greek)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
Naan (Indian flatbread; for serving)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Pulse ginger and garlic in a food processor until finely chopped. Add onion and pulse again until finely chopped.

    Step 2

    Toss chicken with 1½ tsp. salt, ½ tsp. pepper, and 1 tsp. garam masala in a medium bowl.

    Step 3

    Heat oil over high in a large skillet (at least 12" in diameter). Add chicken and cook, tossing occasionally, until lightly browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer chicken to a clean medium bowl.

    Step 4

    Heat same skillet over medium-high and add butter, chopped onion mixture, ½ tsp. salt, and ¼ tsp. pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add tomato paste, turmeric, cayenne, and remaining 1½ tsp. garam masala and cook, stirring constantly, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until hot, about 2 minutes. Return chicken to pan, add peas, and cook, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, about 1 minute more.

    Step 5

    Remove from heat and stir in yogurt and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Divide among 4 plates, top with cilantro, and serve with naan.

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