Description
Alton Brown’s chicken tikka masala blends Indian spices with creamy tomato sauce for a restaurant-quality meal at home. This balanced recipe delivers complex flavors without overwhelming heat, letting you savor each carefully crafted bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 turkey thighs, boned and skinned
- 1 cup plain whole milk yogurt (not greek-style)
- 1 (28 oz / 794 g) can whole peeled tomatoes, drained and diced
- 1 (13.5 oz / 400 ml) can coconut milk
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, grated
- 2 tbsps freshly grated ginger
- 2 fresh red chiles, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp kosher salt, divided
- ¼ cup (60 ml) canola oil, plus more for brushing the grill pan
- 2 tbsps fresh lime juice
- Fresh mint and cilantro, for garnishing
- 1 tbsp coriander seed
- 1 tbsp black peppercorns
- 1 ½ tsp cumin seeds
- ¾ tsp brown mustard seed
- 4 cloves
- 1 (4-inch) cinnamon stick
- 7 green cardamom pods
- ¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Spice Preparation: Dry-roast whole spices in a cast-iron skillet until fragrant, then grind cardamom, nutmeg, and red pepper flakes into a fine powder.
- Marinade Development: Blend turkey thighs with yogurt and spice mixture in a sealed bag, massaging thoroughly and refrigerating for 1-3 hours to intensify flavors.
- Aromatic Base Creation: Sauté onions in canola oil until translucent, then reduce heat and incorporate ginger, garlic, and chilies, cooking until golden-brown.
- Sauce Composition: Add diced tomatoes and remaining spice mixture, simmering to concentrate flavors and develop a rich, deep color. Introduce lime juice and coconut milk, maintaining a gentle simmer.
- Turkey Grilling: Lightly oil a grill or grill pan, cook marinated turkey thighs for 5 minutes per side over medium heat, then rest and slice into bite-sized pieces.
- Final Fusion: Gently incorporate turkey into the prepared sauce, simmering carefully to prevent curdling and ensure thorough cooking.
- Presentation: Garnish generously with fresh mint and cilantro, serving over steamed jasmine or basmati rice for a vibrant, aromatic dish.
Notes
- Spice Roasting Technique: Dry-roasting whole spices intensifies their flavor and aroma, creating a deeper, more complex taste profile for the tikka masala.
- Marinade Magic: Allowing turkey to marinate for at least 3 hours ensures maximum flavor absorption and tenderizes the meat thoroughly.
- Careful Cooking Caution: Maintain low heat when adding yogurt-based sauce to prevent curdling and maintain a smooth, creamy texture.
- Herb Finishing Touch: Fresh mint and cilantro add brightness and complete the authentic flavor of the dish, providing a vibrant final garnish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg