This recipe for Chicken Tikka Masala, that is made from scratch, will help you to never have to buy the canned jars ever again. I promise. With only a few ingredients, and under an hour TOTAL, you too can wow your family with a homemade from scratch meal.

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Published October 14, 2022
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Cost breakdown for this Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe
Why are prices so high?
As far as recipes go, this one is fairly inexpensive. The main cost will be in the chicken, and with food prices how high they are right now, this cost could always come down. As I write this, we are deep in a chicken shortage of 2022. With a highly contagious strain of bird flu running across the world, chicken prices are now, however, at an all-time-high. For example, two years ago to 2020, a pack of chicken breasts was under $10. However, that same pack of chicken is now $12-$14.
Costs of each food item
4 chicken breasts $12.54
1 cup Greek yogurt, plain $0.93
1 Tbsp Lemon juice $0.04
1 tsp Cinnamon $0.07
1 Tbsp Ground ginger $0.21
2 tsp Cumin $0.16
Salt to taste $0.01
2 tsp Pepper $0.01
1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper OR 1 Tbsp Chili Powder $0.21
Can tomato sauce $0.49
1 cup heavy cream $1.00
1 Tbsp butter $0.07
The total cost for this meal was $15.74, not including the sauteed zucchini on the side.
Zucchini $2.66
Shallot $1.00
Including the veggies on the side, this entire meal cost $19.44. Getting a family dinner of 6 for under $20 is literally a great price. Especially with leftovers the next day!

Pair Masala with Delicious Naan
Can you have Masala without Naam?!
Not a chance, am I right?!
When trying to make recipes from scratch, making as much homemade without buying it from the store is the way to go. By making food from scratch, you can not only maintain a healthy diet and keep the finances under control.
Additionally, you then know that the food you give to your people has ingredients that you are healthy and so much more cost effective on the budget.
For the easiest Naan recipe, click the link below and check out my blog!
Recipe
Ingredients for Chicken Tikka Masala
4 chicken breasts
1 cup Greek yogurt, plain
1 Tbsp Lemon juice
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 Tbsp Ground ginger
2 tsp Cumin
Salt to taste
2 tsp Pepper
1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper OR 1 Tbsp Chili Powder
Can tomato sauce
1 cup heavy cream
1 Tbsp butter
1/4 cup cilantro (optional)

Directions for Chicken Tikka Masala
1. To a large bowl, add 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, cinnamon, Cayenne pepper OR chili powder, black pepper, ginger, 1/2 tsp salt and then mix well to combine.





2. On a cutting board, cut the chicken breasts to 1–2-inch chunks, then place the chicken into the large bowl with the sauce mixture.



3. Place the large bowl, covered, into the fridge and then let it rest for at least 1 hour.
These bowls are amazing. Not only are they slip resistant with a silicone base, but they come with lids that fit each of the nesting bowls with the larger one with an optional insert for three different shredder options.
I love these bowls.

4. While the chicken is resting, clean and dice the zucchini on a cutting board, and also the onion and peppers then set aside.


5. Warm a large pan and then spray with a non-stick spray.

6. When warm, add the chicken to the pan and cook until the juices run clear, around 10-15 minutes.


7. Once the chicken is cooked, push the chicken to the side of the pan and then melt the butter in the middle.

8. To the butter, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.

9. To the garlic, add 2 tsp cumin, 2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp salt and then stir to mix well.



10. Stir in the tomato sauce and heavy cream and then mix well, simmering until thick.



11. While the chicken is simmering, cook the zucchini, peppers and onion in a medium saucepan until tender.


Serve with steamed rice or quinoa and enjoy!
~Monica

Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

Recipe for the BEST Made from Scratch Chicken Tikka Masala
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken Breasts
- 1 cup Greek Yogurt plain
- 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp Ground Ginger
- 2 tsp Cumin
- 1/2 tsp Salt extra to taste
- 2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Chili Powder OR 1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper
- 1 can Tomato Sauce
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1 Tbsp Butter
- 1/2 cup Cilantro optinal
Instructions
- To a large bowl, add 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, cinnamon, Cayenne pepper OR chili powder, black pepper, ginger, 1/2 tsp salt and then mix well to combine.
- On a cutting board, cut the chicken breasts to 1–2-inch chunks, then place the chicken into the bowl with the sauce mixture.
- Place the bowl, covered, into the fridge and then let it rest for at least 1 hour.
- While the chicken is resting, clean and dice the zucchini and also the onion and peppers then set aside.
- While the chicken is resting, clean and dice the zucchini and also the onion and peppers then set aside.
- Warm a large pan and then spray with a non-stick spray.
- When warm, add the chicken to the pan and cook until the juices run clear, around 10-15 minutes.
- Once the chicken is cooked, push the chicken to the side of the pan and then melt the butter in the middle.
- To the butter, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- To the garlic, add 2 tsp cumin, 2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp salt and then stir to mix well.
- Stir in the tomato sauce and heavy cream and then mix well, simmering until thick.
- While the chicken is simmering, cook the zucchini, peppers and onion in a medium saucepan until tender.
- Serve with steamed rice or quinoa and enjoy!
Copyright: All content and photos on Monica's Scratch Kitchen are copyright protected. Please do not use them without written permission. Thank you.
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