Cheat Code Chicken Tikka Masala – Quick & Easy
Summary
- A quick and easy Chicken Tikka Masala recipe using a "cheat code" ingredient, Heinz Cream of Tomato Soup, to create a delicious meal for a family of four in just 30 minutes. This recipe focuses on speed and convenience without sacrificing flavor, perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.
Video Chapters
Jump straight to any step in the video.
All Ingredients - Main Ingredients
- Vegetable oil 4 tablespoons
- Ginger garlic paste 2 tablespoons
- Garam masala 1.5 teaspoons
- Curry powder 1.5 teaspoons
- Cumin powder 1.5 teaspoons
- Chicken breast 600g, diced
- Chopped tomatoes 1 can (400g)
- Heinz Cream of Tomato Soup 1 can (400g)
- Salt to taste
- Mango chutney 2 tablespoons
- Sugar 2 tablespoons
- Double cream 2 tablespoons
All Ingredients - For Garnishing
- Fresh coriander a handful, chopped
Tools You'll Need
- Pot
- Dutch oven
- Ladle
Don't have an ingredient? Try these swaps
No Garlic (fresh)?
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (per clove)
- 1/2 tsp garlic granules (per clove)
No Garam masala?
- 1 tsp cumin + 1/2 tsp coriander + 1/4 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp cardamom
No Heavy cream?
- 3/4 cup whole milk + 1/4 cup melted butter — Good for sauces, not whipping.
- Equal parts evaporated milk
- Full-fat coconut milk (1:1) — Adds mild coconut flavor.
No Cilantro?
- Flat-leaf parsley (1:1, milder)
- Fresh mint (in chutneys, salads)
⚠ Contains Allergens
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Pot
Place a large pot or Dutch oven on your cooker and turn on the heat.
Step 2: Sauté Ginger Garlic Paste
Add 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil to the pot. Once warm, add 2 tablespoons of ginger garlic paste and fry it out until fragrant, about .
Step 3: Toast Spices
Add 1.5 teaspoons each of garam masala, curry powder, and cumin powder to the pot. Fry them down for about to a minute to release their aromas and remove bitterness.
Step 4: Add Chicken
Introduce 600g of chicken breast to the pot. Stir well to coat the chicken thoroughly in the spices.
Step 5: Incorporate Tomatoes and Soup
Pour in 1 can of chopped tomatoes and stir to combine. Then, add 1 can of Heinz Cream of Tomato Soup, stirring thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well mixed.
Step 6: Simmer the Curry
Cover the pot with a lid and let the curry on a medium heat for , allowing the chicken to cook through and the flavors to meld.
Step 7: Adjust Consistency and Seasoning
After , remove the lid. If the curry is too thin, increase the heat slightly and it down to your desired thickness.
Step 8: Add Salt and Mango Chutney
Add salt to taste (starting with just under a teaspoon) and 2 tablespoons of mango chutney. Stir well.
Step 9: Sweeten the Curry
Taste the curry. If you prefer a sweeter Chicken Tikka Masala, add 2 tablespoons of sugar and stir until it dissolves completely.
Step 10: Add Cream
Once the curry has cooled slightly, stir in 2 tablespoons of double cream to give it a rich, silky texture.
Step 11: Serve and Garnish
Ladle the Chicken Tikka Masala into serving dishes. Garnish with a drizzle of cream and fresh chopped coriander.
Pro Tips
• If the curry needs to thicken, turn up the heat and reduce it down to your desired consistency.
• Double cream is less likely to split than single cream when added to hot dishes.
• Adjust salt and sugar to taste, depending on your preference for sweetness and seasoning.
Variations
• For a more authentic flavor, you can pre-cook chicken tikka and add it at the end of the recipe (refer to Al's Kitchen's 'proper' Chicken Tikka Masala recipe for guidance).
• Increase the amount of mango chutney or sugar for a sweeter masala, or reduce it for a less sweet version.
Your Notes
Jot down your tweaks — swaps you tried, cook-time adjustments, family reactions. Saved on this device only, and printed with the recipe.
More from Al's Kitchen
Other recipes converted from Al's Kitchen's cooking videos.
Indian Restaurant Base Gravy - Al's Kitchen
Cuisine
Indian · British Indian Restaurant (BIR)
Prep + Cook Time
1 hr 5 min
Difficulty Level
Medium
Pre Cooked Lamb Or Beef For Curries
Cuisine
Indian · British Indian Restaurant (BIR) Style
Prep + Cook Time
1 hr 25 min
Difficulty Level
Medium
Pre-Cooked Tender Lamb for Curries & Mulligatawny Soup
Cuisine
Indian · British Indian Restaurant (BIR)
Prep + Cook Time
1 hr 25 min
Difficulty Level
Medium
Pre-Cooked Lamb Or Beef For Curries & Mulligatawny Soup
Cuisine
Indian · British Indian Restaurant (BIR)
Prep + Cook Time
1 hr 25 min
Difficulty Level
Medium
Indian Restaurant Base Gravy
Cuisine
Indian · British Indian Restaurant (BIR)
Prep + Cook Time
55 Minutes
Difficulty Level
Easy
Mughlai Mirchi Gosht – Rich Lamb Curry
Cuisine
Indian · Mughlai
Prep + Cook Time
2 hr 32 min
Difficulty Level
Medium
You might also like
Other recipes in the same cuisine, meal type, or style — ready to cook whenever you are.
Chicken Reshmi Kebab – Soft, Juicy and Cheesy
Cuisine
Indian · North Indian
Prep + Cook Time
2 hr 20 min
Difficulty Level
Medium
Chicken Gravy
Cuisine
Indian · North Indian
Prep + Cook Time
1 hr 5 min
Difficulty Level
Medium
Chicken Biryani - Restaurant Style
Cuisine
Indian · Mughlai
Prep + Cook Time
2 hr 15 min
Difficulty Level
Medium
Degi Biryani - Neelo's Kitchen
Cuisine
Indian · Pakistani
Prep + Cook Time
1 hr 20 min
Difficulty Level
Medium
Chicken Curry - Indian Style
Cuisine
Indian · North Indian
Prep + Cook Time
1 hr
Difficulty Level
Medium
Reshmi Chicken Masala
Cuisine
Indian · North Indian
Prep + Cook Time
1 hr 40 min
Difficulty Level
Comments
Sign in to leave a comment on this recipe.
Loading comments...