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A bowl of healthy chicken tikka masala, garnished with fresh cilantro, ready to be eaten.

Healthy Chicken Tikka Masala (Easy & Creamy)

A delicious, easy, and healthy chicken tikka masala recipe made with Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream. It's a low-calorie, high-protein take on the classic Indian dish that doesn't sacrifice flavor.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Calories: 385

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Marinade
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp salt
For the Tikka Masala Sauce
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil divided
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
  • 1.5 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp ground coriander
  • 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt or light coconut milk
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • 2 Mixing bowls

Method
 

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken cubes, 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 1 tsp garam masala, turmeric, cumin, cayenne, and salt. Mix well to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.
  2. Heat 2 tsp of avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer (work in batches if needed) and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tsp of oil. Add the chopped onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until soft. Stir in the 3 cloves of minced garlic and 1 tbsp of grated ginger, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Add the 1.5 tsp garam masala, paprika, and ground coriander to the skillet. Stir constantly for 30 seconds until aromatic.
  5. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, scraping any browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken.
  6. Reduce heat to low and stir in the remaining 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat. Let it warm through for 1-2 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve immediately.

Notes

For the best results, marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours to make it extra tender.
To prevent the Greek yogurt from curdling, temper it by mixing a spoonful of the hot sauce into the yogurt before adding it to the pan.
Serve with brown rice or cauliflower rice to keep the meal healthy.