Description
Tender chicken marinated in yogurt and aromatic spices is grilled to perfection, then simmered in a rich tomato-cream sauce. This creamy, mildly spicy dish achieves a balance of smoky char and velvety depth, making it a beloved Indian classic. Serve with naan or rice for a complete, flavorful meal.
Ingredients
2 lbs boneless chicken thighs
1 cup plain yogurt
1 tsp ground garam masala (or 1/2 tsp cumin + 1/2 tsp coriander)
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp smoked paprika (or Kashmiri chili powder)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 tbsp grated ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup heavy cream (non-dairy substitute acceptable)
2 tbsp water (optional, for sauce consistency)
Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
Whisk yogurt, garam masala, turmeric, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper for the marinade
Submerge chicken in marinade, massage to coat evenly
Chill for 30 minutes (or up to 8 hours)
Preheat a heavy cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until oil shimmers
Cook chicken in batches, searing first side for 1 minute before flipping
Simmer off heat in the marinade while working on the sauce
Melt butter in the same skillet, scraping up browned chicken bits
Sauté onions until translucent, 3-4 minutes
Add ginger, garlic, and remaining whole spices (if using); stir constantly for 1 minute
Pour in 8 oz can of tomato sauce; bring to gentle boil and simmer 5 minutes
Return chicken with its juices to the sauce
Stir in 1/2 of the heavy cream; let thicken for 3 minutes
Scrape the bottom for flavor depth
Add remaining cream and adjust consistency with water if needed
Garnish with cilantro and serve
Notes
Marinate chicken overnight for optimal tenderness
Use Greek yogurt or strain non-dairy milk to replicate thick texture
Cast iron creates restaurant-quality charred edges
Adjust spice levels to taste (remove seeds from Kashmiri chili for milder flavor)
Add 1 tsp sugar to tomato sauce to reduce acidity
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 35
- Category: Easy Chicken Recipes
- Method: Grilling and Simmering
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 1/2 cups)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g