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Baked Coconut Chicken Tikka Masala. Indian-inspired tikka masala made with a variety of spices and creamy coconut milk. This dish has just the right amount of spice and cream, plus it’s filled with warming Indian-inspired flavors. Made in the oven, in just one pan, in under an hour. It has a rich and creamy butter sauce that is so flavorful. Serve this creamy masala chicken over bowls of basmati rice with golden turmeric chili butter and cucumber ginger salad.
When I have family I’m cooking for, an Indian-inspired dish is always on the table as an option. I learned a few years ago that my brothers adore butter chicken, chicken curry, and anything with harissa sauce.
They love a little spicy! I make my butter chicken recipe all of the time, but Chicken Tikka Masala is always forgotten. Honestly, the two dishes are very similar. Generally butter chicken is sweeter with less spice and less tomato. Chicken Tikka is usually is a bit spicy with a chunkier sauce and more tomato.
I make my butter chicken pretty spicy, so they end up being similar. But this Chicken Tikka is unique; it’s not traditional.
I bake the chicken and the sauce in the oven. It’s completely no fuss. In return, you get a rich, creamy sauce. This could not be easier!
I love to serve this Chicken Tikka Masala over rice with naan, a cucumber salad, and homemade turmeric chili butter. It’s all so good!
These are the details
Chicken Ingredients
- small chicken breast or thighs
- plain Greek Yogurt
fresh grated ginger, or use pickled ginger
garam masala, turmeric, cayenne pepper
tomato paste
salted butter
onions
canned coconut milk
sesame seeds
steamed rice and naan, for serving
Cucumber Salad Ingredients
Persian cucumbers
pickled sushi-style ginger
cilantro or mint
sliced jalapeños
lemon juice
Turmeric Butter Ingredients
- salted butter
- chili flakes
- turmeric
I know this feels like a lot of ingredients, but I promise it will come together quickly!
Special Tools
Just a great baking dish, bowl, and small skillet.
Steps
Step 1: season the chicken
I use a mix of boneless, skinless chicken thighs and breasts. Make sure the chicken is evenly sized to prevent different cooking times.
In a baking dish, toss the chicken with Greek yogurt and all of these spices: garam masala, cumin, turmeric, cayenne, garlic, and ginger.
You can marinate the chicken for 30 minutes, or if you have time, overnight in the fridge. Ideally, overnight, but I pretty much never do and the chicken is still great!
Step 2: – add everything else
Now add the onions, the tomato paste, and the coconut milk. Arrange the cold butter slices over the chicken and add the sesame seeds.
Start baking. I don’t usually stir the chicken during the baking process. Just bake for 30 minutes, and it should be just perfect!
Step 3: the cucumber salad
This is pretty straightforward but so delicious. Cucumbers with sushi-style ginger, cilantro, jalapeños, and lemon juice.
Step 4: the turmeric butter
I mixed up a quick turmeric butter using butter, chili flakes, and turmeric. It makes the dish just a touch more special. Plus extra sauce and spice are always welcome with my family.
Step 5: serve
First, I make rice, then the chicken tikka, and then the sauce. Next comes the cucumber salad. I then spoon over extra tikka sauce and add that turmeric butter.
And I always finish with naan. I like to squish it into the rice and add a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Oh, lemon juice can be great too.
Absolutely DELICIOUS!
Looking for other Indian-inspired dinners? Here are my favorites:
30 Minute Spicy Indian Butter Chicken
30 Minute Butter Chicken Meatballs
Super Simple Coconut Chicken Tikka Masala
Gingery Coconut Sweet Potato and Rice Stew with Chili Oil
Lastly, if you make this Baked Coconut Chicken Tikka Masala, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Baked Coconut Chicken Tikka Masala
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 423 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 2 pounds small boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1-2 teaspoons cayenne pepper, use to your taste
- salt and black pepper
- 1 can or packet tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 1 can (14 once) full-fat coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 2 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup pickled sushi style ginger
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro or mint, chopped
- 1 jalapeño, sliced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- steamed rice and naan, for serving
Golden Turmeric Butter
- 2 tablespoons cold salted butter, sliced
- 1-2 teaspoons chili flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
Instructions
- 1. In a baking dish, toss together the chicken, yogurt, garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric, cayenne pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt. Let sit for 5 minutes.2. Preheat the oven to 400° F.3. To the chicken, add the onion, then pour over the coconut milk. Add the tomato paste. Stir until creamy and well mixed. Arrange the butter slices over the chicken. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Top with cilantro.4. Meanwhile, in a bowl, toss the cucumbers with the ginger and 1-2 tablespoons of the ginger juice from the jar. Add the cilantro, jalapeño, and lemon juice – season with salt. 5. For the golden butter, melt all ingredients together in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until the butter is browning.6. Serve the chicken and sauce over bowls of rice with the cucumber salad, golden butter, and naan. Enjoy!
This post was originally published on January 16, 2025
The chicken was good however I found the instructions as what to do with the butter very unclear. Also, the chicken is an Indian dish but the cucumbers are Chinese/Japanese in flavor which I also found confusing – the two do not pair well with one another.
Hi Rachel,
Thanks for trying this dish and sharing your feedback. Sorry to hear it wasn’t a fave! xx
Hello! I made this tonight for dinner. The flavors were exceptional, however, mine came out pretty watery. I was expecting a nice thick gravy based on your photos. Any recommendations for the next time I make it?
Hey Monica,
Awesome! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! You could try using coconut cream rather than milk next time. Have a nice Sunday:) xx
Pretty easy to make. I did a mix of breasts and thighs. Family rated it 4/5.
Thanks so much, Richelle! I appreciate you trying this recipe and your feedback, so glad it turned out well for you! xx
Thank you for this recipe and all your hard work! You’re the first person I go to when I’m looking for a recipe no matter what I’m cooking. ❤️
Quick question: we don’t have pickled ginger where I live, anything I can do quickly with fresh ginger?
Thanks so much, Maria:) I appreciate you making so many recipes! Yes, here is a pickling recipe:
https://fett-weg.today/quick-pickled-veggies/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> You could also order some pickled ginger from Amazon. I hope this helps! xT
This recipe was delicious will be making again.
Hi Jennifer,
Love to hear this! Thanks a lot for making this recipe and your comment! Have a nice day:) xxT
This was extremely tasty and easy. Me and my husband loved it and will definitely make it again.
Hey Kailey,
Love to hear this! Thanks a lot for making this recipe and your comment! Have a nice day:) xxT
Oh my this recipe is so flavorful and delicious. I am cleaning out my freezer and only had bone in chicken thighs so I cooked it a bit longer. My husband and I had the best coconut chicken tikka masala. It was so easy to make. I served with rice and paratha as I had some frozen ones. I love your recipes will continue to make them.
Hi Sara,
Wonderful! Thanks a bunch for trying this dish and your feedback, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! XxT
Should the chicken be cut before cooking or full chicken breasts?
Hi Nicole,
If your chicken breasts are pretty large you can definitely cut them smaller, but you don’t have to. Let me know if you give this recipe a try! xx
I usually enjoy these recipes but this did not turn out well and the cooking time with chicken thighs is more like 1hr.
Hi Ryan,
So sorry to hear this recipe did not turn out well for you. If there is anything that I can help with, please let me know! xx
I made this last night for my boyfriend and he said it is the best thing I have made him. I followed the recipe exactly as written and it was delicious! I have never made anything like this but I knew just like with everything else I have made of yours it turned out freaking awesome! Adding this to my monthly rotation of meals I make. Yum yum!
Hey Sara,
Fantastic! So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! Have a wonderful week! xx
Hi Tieghan,
I would like to make this,
What size tomato paste should I use 6 oz or 12 oz?
Thank you
Ann
Hi Ann,
You can use a 6oz can of tomato paste. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
My entire family loved this. I did make a few changes – 1) marinated the chicken in the morning and 2) whisked the tomato paste and coconut milk together separately to help combine then poured over. Next time I might sauté the onions to soften prior to adding. Not sure the butter sauce was needed as it was delicious even when not drizzled over. Will definitely make again! Thanks!
Hi Alisha,
So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! Have a wonderful week! xx
Another home run! I marinated the chicken overnight, and it was so tender. This dish is delicious and easy. And I loved the cucumber salad. A refreshing counterpunch to the main event.
Hey Hilary,
Happy Sunday! Thanks so much for making this recipe:) So glad it was enjoyed, I appreciate your comment! xT
Chicken was super tender, but the sauce lacked the tikka masala flavor my family loves. We’ll stick with your other butter chicken/tikka masala recipes 😘
Thanks so much for trying this recipe, Catherine! I appreciate your feedback, glad to hear you will still be using the other recipes:) Have a great Sunday! xT
I have made your recipes for quite a long time now. So many of them are delicious and have been made several times. Hands down…THIS recipe is my absolute favorite! You nailed it with the layers of flavor, combination of spices and the toppings. Naan was incredible too! Just outstanding! Made my family very happy!
Hi Karen,
Wonderful! Thanks a lot for trying this dish and your feedback, love to hear it turned out well! Have a beautiful Sunday! xx
Hi! This looks incredible! Do you have a suggestion to replace the coconut milk? My family doesn’t like coconut (I do!). Would regular milk work?
Thanks!
Hi Anna,
Sure, you can totally use regular milk in this recipe. Please let me know if you give it a try! I hope you love this recipe! xx