Easy Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe – FOOD is Four Letter Word (2024)

August 31, 2021Van

Easy Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe – FOOD is Four Letter Word (1)

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Prep time: 6 hours

Cook time: 25 minutes

Serves: 4-6

Chicken Tikka Masala is probably the most popular Indian dish worldwide and it’s easy to see why. It’s explosive with flavor, the combination of yogurt marinated chicken cooked in a tandoor or grilled over charcoal with the tangy and creamy masala sauce is the most amazing match. It’s the national dish of the U.K. where a Bangladeshi chef invented it in the 70’s – it’s very similar to butter chicken, a popular dish in northern India. The ingredient list is usually quite long to make it from scratch, but you can cut that list in half if you use Trader Joe’s Masala Simmer Sauce. You’ll be shocked at how delicious it is and how easy it is to make at home.

Easy Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe – FOOD is Four Letter Word (2)

Easy Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe – FOOD is Four Letter Word (3)

I use Garam Masala in the marinade, you can find this at your local Indian market, or order it here, the chicken is much more flavorful with it. Easy Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe – FOOD is Four Letter Word (4)

Easy Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe – FOOD is Four Letter Word (5)

Easy Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe – FOOD is Four Letter Word (6)

Trader Joe’s Garlic NaanEasy Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe – FOOD is Four Letter Word (7)

Trader Joe’s Mango Chutney is fantastic, I enjoyed it withPapadams as an appetizerEasy Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe – FOOD is Four Letter Word (8)

Easy Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe – FOOD is Four Letter Word (9)

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August 31, 2021Van

  • Prep time: 6 hours
  • Cook time: 25 minutes
  • Serves: 4-6

www.foodisafourletterword.com

Ingredients

  • 2½ Pounds Boneless Skinless Thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 15 oz Trader Joe’s Masala Simmer Sauce
  • 3 Garlic Cloves, pressed
  • ½ Teaspoon Grated Ginger
  • ½ Cup Whole Milk Plain Yogurt, (don’t use Greek)
  • 1½ Teaspoons Fine Sea Salt
  • ½ Cup Heavy Cream
  • 2 Teaspoons Garam Masala

Method

  • 1)

    In a bowl, combine ½ Cup Yogurt, 3 pressed Garlic Cloves, ½ Teaspoon Grated Ginger, 1½ Teaspoon Fine Sea Salt, 2 Teaspoons Garam Masala. Stir the marinade then add the chicken pieces and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for 6 hours or up to 24 hours.

  • 2)

    When you’re ready to cook the chicken, pre-heat your outdoor grill to med-high heat or light an even layer of briquettes in your charcoal grill. Place the chicken pieces on skewers and grilled until they are lightly charred (about 5-6 minutes on each side). You can also brush on melted butter or ghee while grilling to add extra flavor.

    *Oven Method: Using a bbq grill will give you the best flavor, but if that’s not an option, pre-heat oven to 400°F, line a baking sheet with parchment, place chicken pieces on the baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes, turn the chicken pieces over half way through. Move them to the top rack and broil for 1-2 minutes to give them a slight char.

  • 3)

    Add 15 oz Trader Joe’s Masala Simmer Sauce into a blender, pour ¼ Cup of Water into the masala jar and shake it up to get the rest of the sauce, pour it into the blender. Blend on high speed for 1 minute, it should look smooth. Pour into a large pot and bring to a simmer, remove the chicken from the skewers and add to the pot, simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes. Add ½ Cup Heavy Cream, stir to combine and continue to cook just until it’s heated through. Taste the sauce and season with more salt if needed. Serve with naan and basmati rice. Enjoy!

↓ Supplies to make this recipe ↓

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2 Comments

  • Lisa B.

    February 5, 2022 at 10:11 am

    I made this last night and it was phenomenal! Thank you so much for sharing. I can’t wait to make it again, perhaps a vegetarian version with cauliflower and peas?

    Reply

    1. Van

      February 5, 2022 at 12:06 pm

      Hi Lisa, I’m so happy you enjoyed it! That sauce would be fantastic with cauliflower and peas

      Reply

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Easy Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe – FOOD is Four Letter Word (17)

Hi everyone! I’m Van, the creator and recipe developer for FOOD is a Four Letter Word. Follow this page for delicious & eclectic recipes. I hope you find something that you enjoy making on here. Subscribe to my YouTube & Instagram below to get updates when I post a new recipe.
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Easy Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe – FOOD is Four Letter Word (2024)

FAQs

How many calories are in Trader Joe's chicken tikka masala? ›

Nutrition summary:

There are 360 calories in 1 tray (241 g) of Trader Joe's Chicken Tikka Masala.

Is tikka masala healthy? ›

Skip: Chicken Tikka Masala

But like many Indian dishes that were originally low fat, the modern recipe for chicken tikka masala is anything but. An average portion has whopping 1,249 calories and 90.8 grams of fat. A lot of that comes from the ghee and heavy cream.

Is chicken tikka masala Indian or British food? ›

While many people assume that this dish originated in India, the most popular origin story places its roots in Scotland when a Bengali chef had to improvise in a jiffy. Today, many consider it to be the national dish of the UK. The dish is celebrated for embracing the diverse and ancient heritage of the islands.

Is Trader Joe's tikka masala spicy? ›

This classic, Indian(ish) dish features chunks of chicken that have been roasted in an oven, or tandoor, and served in a creamy, mildly spicy, tomato-based, curry flavored sauce.

How many calories are in 4 pieces of chicken tikka? ›

The number of calories in chicken tikka can vary depending on the recipe and serving size. However, on average, a 100-gram serving of chicken tikka contains approximately 150-200 calories.

Is chicken tikka masala less calories than butter chicken? ›

Regarding nutrition, Butter Chicken and Tikka Masala are high in calories, fat, and sodium. Butter Chicken has more fat and calories than Tikka Masala due to the use of cream and butter in the sauce. However, Tikka Masala has more sodium than Butter Chicken due to the use of canned tomato puree.

Is tikka masala inflammatory? ›

Aromatic, flavorful and colorful are just some words I'd use to describe Tikka Masala. Full of anti-inflammatory and aromatic spices, this dish is amazing. Your home will be filled with the aromas of India while this dish is cooking!

What are the disadvantages of chicken tikka? ›

High Fat and Cholesterol Content

Saturated fat can increase your risk for heart disease and raise your cholesterol levels, and each serving of chicken tikka masala contains 28 grams of saturated fat, or 138 percent of the daily value.

Is chicken tikka masala bad for blood pressure? ›

The primary source of protein in Chicken Tikka Masala is chicken. It also helps control blood pressure and weight loss and reduces harmful cholesterol levels. In addition, the body uses protein to repair and fix tissues and grow hair and nails. Muscles, cartilage, bones, skin, and blood are also built with protein.

What ethnicity is tikka masala? ›

Chicken tikka is an Indian dish. The masala sauce was added to satisfy the desire of British people to have their meat served in gravy.

Do Indians like tikka masala? ›

Yes, Chicken Tikka Masala is a popular dish in India. However, it is believed to have originated in the United Kingdom, where it is now one of the most popular dishes in British cuisine.

What is the difference between masala and tikka masala? ›

Tikka is grilled or roasted meat marinated in yoghurt or spiced base before being cooked on skewers. Masala is a sauce made with cream, yoghurt, tomatoes, or spices to add flavour to the food.

How to heat up Trader Joe's chicken tikka masala? ›

Remove tikka masala tray from carton and puncture film 2 to 3 times. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Carefully peel back film enough to gently stir sauce. Heat an additional 1 to 1 1/2 minutes to an internal temperature of 165°F.

How to make chicken tikka masala from Trader Joe's? ›

Add in the chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-6 minutes. Pour in the jar of Masala Simmer Sauce and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and allow the dish to cook for an additional 5-7 minutes until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked through.

Is chicken tikka masala very hot? ›

Boneless chicken traditionally baked in a tandoor oven then coated in a creamy tomato sauce, the tikka masala combines the creaminess of milder curries with a hint of spice from hotter variants to form the perfect medium dish.

How many calories in a piece of chicken tikka masala? ›

Energy: 157 calories
Protein12.4g
Carbs4.9g
Fat9.8g

How many calories are in a plate of chicken tikka masala? ›

The average entrée (with sides like rice or bread) had roughly 1,300 calories. At Greek restaurants, the researchers found that a Greek salad has 960 calories and Moussaka had 1,440 calories. At Indian restaurants, Lamb Vindaloo had 1,170 calories and Chicken Tikka Masala had 1,430 calories.

How many calories are in chicken tikka masala sauce? ›

Nutritional Information
Typical ValuesPer 100g1/4 a of a jar
Energy196kJ / 47kcal245kJ / 58kcal
Fat1.4g1.8g
Saturates0.3g0.4g
Carbohydrate7.6g9.5g
6 more rows

How many calories are in Trader Joe's chicken curry? ›

There are 360 calories in 1 container (269 g) of Trader Joe's Fiery Chicken Curry.

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