This low-carb chicken tikka masala recipe contains succulent pieces of chicken in a rich, creamy sauce.  The sauce is colored to a rich red color with a touch of tomato paste and lots of spices.  

 

While we have skipped the traditional marinating step and we do not roast the chicken in a Tandoori oven, the final product still tastes like the tikka masala you would get at a fine Indian restaurant.  

 

Best of all, since our recipe doesn’t require a lot of steps, it whips up in about half an hour.   This dish is low-carb and grain-free! 

 

Low-Carb chicken tikka masala on white plate with herbs on the table

 

Disclaimer: Some of the links on this site are affiliate links which means we make a small commission from any sales to help keep the recipes coming! You do not pay any more. Thank you for your support!

 

Chicken tikka masala is a favorite of my family.  Every time we eat out at an Indian restaurant, we make it easy on the waiter, because everyone orders the same thing–chicken tikka masala!  

 

Sometimes I try to be different and order something else.  While the other dish is usually good too, I find myself eyeing the chicken tikka masala that the rest of the family ordered.  My spoon gravitates toward their copper serving bowls and I find myself scooping some onto my plate.  I swear, I’m addicted to the stuff!

 

The chicken tikka masala at a restaurant may or may not be low carb and/or grain-free.  It depends on the specific recipe.  

 

We can be sure that the rice it is served with is definitely not low-carb or grain free! When eating this dish at a restaurant, I usually eat it without the rice.  

 

When I make it at home, I can keep the whole meal low-carb and grain-free by serving the chicken with a riced cauliflower dish.  I love it with steamed riced cauliflower with some butter, salt, slivered almonds, cilantro and cumin seeds mixed in.  If you prefer, plain riced cauliflower would work as well.

 

If you’re looking for a low-carb naan recipe, this recipe for keto naan from Sugar Free Londener or this nut-free Keto Naan Bread from Real balanced would be amazing with this recipe.

 

Enjoy!

-Annissa

Low-Carb chicken tikka masala on white plate with herbs

 

Chicken Tikka Masala recipe

Try making this delicious Low-Carb Chicken Tikka Masala recipe for a scrumptious dinner or lunch. The creamy sauce gets its rich color from a touch of tomato paste and lots of spices. This dish is also keto-friendly and grain-free! 🍗🍴😋

A plate of Chicken Tikka Masala on top of riced cauliflower.
5 from 16 votes
Print

Low-Carb Chicken Tikka Masala

A delicious, easy recipe for this popular Indian dish. Low-carb and gluten-free.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian, keto, low-carb
Keyword best chicken tikka masala recipe, Indian curry, low carb chicken tikka masala, low carb Indian food
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 302 kcal
Author Annissa Slusher

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons coriander
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 2 chicken breasts about 1 pound total, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
  • sea salt and pepper
  • 1 yellow onion peeled and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1 cup cream
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro finely chopped

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the coriander, cumin, paprika, cardamom, cayenne pepper, and nutmeg. Set aside.

  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil. When oil is hot, add chicken pieces. Be sure they do not touch. Cook in batches if necessary.

  3. Brown chicken, then cook until opaque. Remove from pan to a plate. Set aside.

  4. If needed, add more oil to pan. Add onions and cook them until they just start browning on the edges.

  5. Stir in the mixture of spices. Cook for about two minutes, stirring constantly, to toast spices.

  6. Add fresh ginger, tomato paste and cream to the skillet, stirring to mix thoroughly. Add the chicken into the sauce. Increase heat to medium to bring the mixture to a simmer, then turn the heat to low and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens to desired consistency.

  7. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Recipe Notes

The serving size for this dish is fairly small. If you want larger Americanized portions, you will need to account for this.
Calories 302
Fat: 21 grams
Carbs: 4.8 grams
Fiber: 1.4 grams
Protein: 24.8 grams
Net carbs: 3.4 grams

Nutrition Facts
Low-Carb Chicken Tikka Masala
Amount Per Serving
Calories 302 Calories from Fat 189
% Daily Value*
Fat 21g32%
Carbohydrates 4.8g2%
Fiber 1.5g6%
Protein 24.8g50%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

Here‘s another chicken recipe you may want to checkout!