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A vibrant bowl of creamy One-Pot Chicken Tikka Masala, garnished with fresh cilantro and served with fluffy rice.

Flavorful One-Pot Chicken Tikka Masala

Discover a simple yet profoundly flavorful One-Pot Chicken Tikka Masala, perfect for an easy weeknight meal. This recipe leverages a unique spice-blooming technique and puréed tomatoes for unparalleled depth, a creamy texture, and minimal cleanup.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 Tbsp avocado oil (or sub ghee if not vegan)
  • 1 medium white or yellow onion finely diced
  • 2-3 whole green cardamom pods (gently crush them slightly first)
  • 1-2 bay leaves
  • 1 small cinnamon stick
  • 1 Tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp sea salt (DIVIDED // plus more to taste)
  • 6 cloves garlic minced (6 cloves yield ~3 Tbsp)
  • 2 Tbsp fresh minced ginger
  • 1 medium red bell pepper seeds and stems removed, halved then sliced lengthwise
  • 1 ½ Tbsp minced green chili stems and seeds removed (use serrano or jalapeño)
  • 1 boneless skinless chicken breast cubed (organic, pasture-raised when possible // if omitting chicken, double quantity of chickpeas)
  • 1 Tbsp ground coriander
  • ¼ tsp red chili flake (omit for less heat)
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 15-ounce cans diced tomatoes (if unsalted, you’ll add more salt to the dish) BLEND ONE CAN FOR SMOOTHER TEXTURE
  • 1 15-ounce can chickpeas slightly drained (if omitting chicken, double quantity of chickpeas)
  • 1 Tbsp garam masala (see notes for DIY blend)
  • 1-2 Tbsp coconut sugar
  • 1 14-ounce can full-fat coconut milk (sub light coconut milk for less fat)
  • White or brown rice (or cauliflower rice or roasted sweet potatoes)
  • Fresh cilantro chopped
  • Fresh jalapeño (omit for less heat)

Equipment

  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • Small blender

Method
 

Bloom the Spices & Sauté Aromatics
  1. First, heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once hot, add your avocado oil (or ghee). Add 2-3 whole green cardamom pods (gently crush them slightly first to release their full aroma!), 1-2 bay leaves, and a small cinnamon stick. Let these whole spices bloom in the hot oil for 30-60 seconds. Next, add the finely diced onion, ground cumin, and one-third of the sea salt. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion begins to soften and become translucent. Now, add the minced garlic, fresh minced ginger, sliced red bell pepper, and minced green chili. Stir well and continue to sauté for another 2-3 minutes.
Brown the Chicken & Build Flavor
  1. Add your cubed chicken breast (or skip if making it vegetarian/vegan), along with the ground coriander, red chili flake (if using), ground turmeric, and smoked paprika. Stir everything thoroughly to coat the chicken and vegetables in the vibrant spices. Add another one-third of the salt. Sauté for 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the chicken begins to lose its raw pink color and develops some light browning.
Develop the Sauce
  1. Now, it’s time for the tomatoes. Remember to purée one of the cans of diced tomatoes in a small blender before adding it to the pot for that wonderfully creamy sauce. Add both cans of tomatoes, the slightly drained chickpeas, garam masala, coconut sugar, and the remaining salt. Increase the heat to medium-high until the mixture reaches a rolling simmer. Then, reduce the heat to low or medium-low and maintain a gentle simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally, allowing the sauce to thicken into a rich, stew-like texture.
Finish & Adjust Seasonings
  1. Pour in the full-fat coconut milk and stir to combine. Continue to simmer for another 5 minutes on medium-low heat. Finally, taste your One-Pot Chicken Tikka Masala and adjust the seasonings as needed. Add more salt, chili flake or cayenne pepper for more heat, coconut sugar for extra sweetness, a dash more cumin or paprika for smokiness, or additional garam masala for a more pronounced spiced and earthy flavor.
Garnish & Serve
  1. Garnish your deeply flavorful One-Pot Chicken Tikka Masala with fresh chopped cilantro and, if you like extra heat, some fresh jalapeño slices. It’s ready to be enjoyed as a hearty stew, or traditionally served over white rice, brown rice, or even lighter options like cauliflower rice or roasted sweet potatoes. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 35gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 10gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 12mg

Notes

The unique spice-blooming technique at the start is key for authentic flavor. Remember to purée one can of diced tomatoes for a wonderfully creamy sauce. Adjust the heat level to your taste with green chili and chili flakes. For dietary flexibility, omit chicken and double chickpeas for a vegan option.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.

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