Sticky Chicken Tikka Masala (Printable Version)

Slow-cooked chicken in a rich spiced masala sauce with a sticky glaze and fresh garnishes.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken & Marinade

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

→ Masala Sauce

12 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
13 - 1 medium onion, finely diced
14 - 2 tsp grated ginger
15 - 2 tsp minced garlic
16 - 2 tsp ground cumin
17 - 2 tsp garam masala
18 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
19 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
20 - 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
21 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
22 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
23 - 2 tbsp honey
24 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Sticky Glaze

25 - 2 tbsp honey
26 - 1 tbsp soy sauce
27 - 1 tbsp dark brown sugar
28 - 2 tbsp masala sauce (reserved)

→ For Serving

29 - 6 small flour or corn tortillas
30 - 1 red onion, thinly sliced
31 - Fresh cilantro leaves
32 - 1 small cucumber, diced
33 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - Combine chicken thighs and marinade ingredients in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
02 - Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion, grated ginger, and minced garlic; sauté until softened, about 4–5 minutes.
03 - Stir in ground cumin, garam masala, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
04 - Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and honey. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat.
05 - Transfer marinated chicken and masala sauce into the slow cooker. Stir to coat chicken evenly. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours until tender.
06 - Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred with forks. Stir heavy cream into the sauce, return shredded chicken, and mix well.
07 - In a small saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, and 2 tbsp of masala sauce. Simmer over medium heat until thick and sticky, about 2–3 minutes.
08 - Drizzle sticky glaze over shredded chicken and toss to coat evenly.
09 - Warm tortillas according to package directions. Fill with glazed chicken, then top with sliced onion, diced cucumber, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Bold, aromatic flavors with a sticky twist
  • Easy to serve for parties or weeknight dinners
02 -
  • This recipe contains dairy, gluten, and soy; check ingredient labels for allergens
  • For dairy-free, substitute Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt and use dairy-free cream
03 -
  • Add chopped green chilies to the sauce for extra heat
  • Serve with crisp lager or light Riesling for a perfect pairing
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