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A close-up spoon scoop of the creamy chicken tikka masala casserole, showing the layers of rice, chicken in sauce, and melted cheese.
FL Recipes

Chicken Tikka Masala Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Food Mashup

This Chicken Tikka Masala Casserole is the ultimate weeknight comfort food, combining tender chicken in a creamy, aromatic sauce with fluffy basmati rice, all baked under a layer of gooey, melted cheese. Easy, flavorful, and family-friendly!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: fusion, Indian
Calories: 580

Ingredients
  

Casserole
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 large Onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 inch Ginger freshly grated
  • 2 lbs Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 2 tsp Garam Masala
  • 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
  • 1 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1 tsp Ground Coriander
  • 15 oz Tomato Sauce one can
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream or full-fat coconut milk
  • 4 cups Cooked Basmati Rice
  • 1.5 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
  • 0.5 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • 0.25 cup Fresh Cilantro chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish
  • 1 Large Skillet

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the cubed chicken to the skillet. Season with salt, garam masala, turmeric, cumin, and coriander. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly browned on all sides.
  4. Pour in the tomato sauce and heavy cream. Stir to combine everything well. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked basmati rice with the chicken and sauce mixture. Stir gently to ensure the rice is evenly coated.
  6. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
  7. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.
  8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
  9. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 580kcalProtein: 35gFat: 30gFiber: 3g

Notes

Time-Saving Tip: Use a high-quality jarred tikka masala sauce to make this recipe even faster.
Spice it Up: Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper along with the other spices for a spicier kick.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Keyword baked chicken,chicken casserole,tikka masala

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