Smoky Restaurant Style Chicken Tikka Masala
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Smoky Restaurant Style Chicken Tikka Masala
Authentic North India · Restaurant Style

Smoky Restaurant Style Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

By Jeevan Depa·✓Kitchen Tested & Verified·Updated October 2026
Non-Veg📍North India🍽️Lunch & Dinner⏱️35 mins⚡Medium👥Serves 5Chicken
🍳Why This Recipe Works & Culinary Heritage

Smoky Restaurant Style Chicken Tikka Masala is a celebrated North India culinary specialty crafted with traditional techniques and authentic spices. Prepared with 21 metric-standardized ingredients (featuring Boneless Chicken Cubes, Yogurt (Dahi), Lemon Juice, Ginger Garlic Paste, Salt), this dish balances aromatic spices with rich cooking bases for deep, authentic flavor.

⏱️ Cook Time: 35 mins•👥 Servings: 5 plates•🛒 Instamart: 1-Click Doorstep Sync

Ingredients for Smoky Restaurant Style Chicken Tikka Masala

Complete culinary measure (21 items) · Scale servings or deselect pantry items in the cart panel

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1
Boneless Chicken Cubes
1 kg
2
Yogurt (Dahi)
1 cup
3
Lemon Juice
2 tbsp
4
Ginger Garlic Paste
2 tsp
5
Salt
2 tsp
Pantry
6
Tikka Masala Powder
1 tbsp
7
Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder
1 tbsp
8
Garam Masala Powder
3/4 tsp
9
Turmeric Powder
1.5 tsp
Pantry
10
Cumin Powder
1 tbsp
11
Coriander Powder
1 tsp
12
Kasuri Methi
2 tsp
13
Ghee
6 tbsp
14
Charcoal Briquette
1 piece
15
Onion
1 large
Pantry
16
Tomatoes
4 piece
Pantry
17
Tomato Paste
2 tbsp
18
Red Chilli Powder
1 tsp
Pantry
19
Cumin Seeds
1 tsp
Pantry
20
Fresh Cream
2 tbsp
21
Fresh Coriander Leaves
2 tbsp

In a large bowl, whisk together yogurt, lemon juice, 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste, 1 tsp salt, tikka masala powder, Kashmiri red chilli powder, 1/2 tsp garam masala, 1 tsp turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, 1 tsp crushed kasuri methi, and optional food coloring. Add the chicken cubes, coat thoroughly, and marinate for at least 30 minutes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1
In a large bowl, whisk together yogurt, lemon juice, 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste, 1 tsp salt, tikka masala powder, Kashmiri red chilli powder, 1/2 tsp garam masala, 1 tsp turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, 1 tsp crushed kasuri methi, and optional food coloring. Add the chicken cubes, coat thoroughly, and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2
Heat 2 tablespoons of ghee in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces in batches and cook until charred, fully cooked, and tender. Reserve any leftover pan gravy.
3
Place a small steel bowl in the pan with the cooked chicken. Place a glowing hot lump of charcoal in the bowl, drizzle a few drops of ghee on it, and immediately cover with a tight lid for 3-5 minutes to infuse with a tandoori smoky flavor (dhungar).
4
In a separate heavy-bottomed kadai or pot, heat 4 tablespoons of ghee. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter. Add finely chopped onion and sauté until golden brown.
5
Stir in 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add blended tomato puree, tomato paste, 1 tsp red chilli powder, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp garam masala. Cook on medium heat until the ghee separates from the masala.
6
Add the cooked smoky chicken along with its reserved gravy into the masala base. Pour in water as needed to adjust consistency. Cover and simmer on low heat for 8-10 minutes.
7
Finish by swirling in fresh cream, crushed kasuri methi, and finely chopped fresh coriander leaves. Stir well and serve hot with lachha paratha or naan.
👨‍🍳

Chef's Secrets & Pro Cooking Tips

Professional culinary techniques for restaurant-quality Smoky Restaurant Style Chicken Tikka Masala at home

1

Two-Stage Marination Magic

First marinate chicken with ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, and salt for 20 minutes to tenderize the fibers. Then introduce spiced hung curd for rich, deep flavor penetration.

2

Brown the Onions (Bhunao Process)

Take your time browning the onions to a deep golden amber. The slow caramelization forms the foundational flavor base and rich color of authentic Indian meat gravies.

3

Simmer on Low Flame for Juicy Meat

Keep the heat on gentle low-medium once the liquid is added. Rapid boiling contracts muscle fibers and dries out poultry meat.

🥗Nutritional Breakdown

Estimated nutritional facts per serving (based on 5 servings)

Nutrient Dense
Calories
380kcal
18% DV
Protein
34g
68% DV
Carbs
18g
7% DV
Fat
14g
18% DV
Fiber
5g
18% DV
Sodium
540mg
23% DV

* Percent Daily Values (% DV) are based on a 2,000-calorie reference diet. Actual nutritional requirements may differ based on age, gender, and physical activity level.

Video Tutorial

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Culinary Tags

#Chicken Tikka Masala#Chicken Gravy#Smoky Chicken#Restaurant Style Curry#North Indian Chicken
💡

Frequently Asked Questions & Cooking Guide

Answers to common questions about preparing, storing, and customizing Smoky Restaurant Style Chicken Tikka Masala

You need 21 ingredients to make Smoky Restaurant Style Chicken Tikka Masala: Boneless Chicken Cubes (1 kg), Yogurt (Dahi) (1 cup), Lemon Juice (2 tbsp), Ginger Garlic Paste (2 tsp), Salt (2 tsp), Tikka Masala Powder (1 tbsp), Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder (1 tbsp), Garam Masala Powder (3/4 tsp), Turmeric Powder (1.5 tsp), Cumin Powder (1 tbsp), Coriander Powder (1 tsp), Kasuri Methi (2 tsp), Ghee (6 tbsp), Charcoal Briquette (1 piece), Onion (1 large), Tomatoes (4 piece), Tomato Paste (2 tbsp), Red Chilli Powder (1 tsp), Cumin Seeds (1 tsp), Fresh Cream (2 tbsp), Fresh Coriander Leaves (2 tbsp). Exact metric quantities for your chosen servings are listed in the ingredients section above, and you can add all of them to your Swiggy Instamart cart in one click.

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Ingredients

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21 items · estimated total~₹2140
Servings
5
21/21 items · ~₹428/plate
~₹2140
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