Leftover Chicken Tikka Masala - My Gorgeous Recipes (2024)

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Indian Leftover Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe, a delicious chicken curry that is super easy to make, yet aromatic and so comforting. This homemade version easily beats any take-away. A delicious family dinner that is ready in about 20 minutes.

Leftover Chicken Tikka Masala - My Gorgeous Recipes (1)

To say that British people like curry is definitely an understatement. They absolutely love it; to such extent, that curry has been adopted as a national dish. That makes it a favourite when it comes to having a take-away too.

My personal favourite is chicken curry, but l wouldn't say no to a simple beef curry, fish curry or vegetable coconut and chickpea curry either. As l might have mentioned before, lamb is not quite my thing, so l would just politely say no to it. But anything else, yes, please, one big portion for me.

It was actually in London where l first tried curry, and, although my first impression was, nope, that's not for me, l got to appreciate a good curry. I guess the strong spices can be a bit overwhelming for someone used to kind of plain food.

Now I do appreciate these fantastic Indian spices, although I don't go crazy about too much heat. My curries tend to be mild, in this way the whole family gets to enjoy them too. But, of course, these homemade curries recipes can be tweaked to one's liking, and more heat can be added to them.

We've all been guilty of throwing away leftovers at some point, so how about we get to transform this leftover roast chicken into a fabulous leftover chicken tikka masala that will have you lick your fingers clean?

Jump to:
  • Step-by-step photos and instructions
  • Can I swap leftover chicken for other leftover meat?
  • Can I freeze the leftover chicken tikka masala?
  • Other chicken curry recipes
  • Leftover Chicken Tikka Masala
Leftover Chicken Tikka Masala - My Gorgeous Recipes (2)

Step-by-step photos and instructions

My chicken tikka masala is by no means an authentic Indian recipe, but it tastes like the real deal, and l'm quite proud of it. It is pretty mild, but the spices used plus the ginger give this dish that particularly fragrant taste one expects from a good curry.

And if a chicken tikka masala cooked from scratch is easy to make, this leftover chicken tikka masala is even easier, and quicker to make too. Let's see how it's made:

  • in a pan, fry the onions gently until lightly brown
  • add the garlic, ginger and red chilli, and cook for a further 30 seconds or so until fragrant
  • add the spices, and give it a good stir, so that the full flavours can be released
  • in go the chopped tomatoes and water, and leave to cook for about 10 minutes or until the water is reduced and you get a thicker sauce
  • add the Greek yogurt and tomato puree, and give it a good stir

Make sure the yogurt is at room temperature, otherwise it will curdle when added to the hot curry. Alternatively, add a few tablespoons of the hot sauce to it, mixing well after each addition, then add it to the pan.

  • throw in the leftover chicken pieces, leave to simmer for 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat
  • garnish with fresh coriander (cilantro) or parsley
Leftover Chicken Tikka Masala - My Gorgeous Recipes (3)

Can I swap leftover chicken for other leftover meat?

Absolutely, any kind of meat goes: leftover turkey, beef, lamb, pork, or a combination of any of it. As long as the meat is already cooked, the cooking time for this curry does not change at all.

Can I freeze the leftover chicken tikka masala?

Yes, curries make a perfect dish to be frozen and enjoyed at any other time. Just make sure you add it to a tupperware with a good air-tight lid, and it's ready to go in the freezer.

I don't usually freeze rice, since it's so easy to make it fresh before every meal, in this tutorial I show you how to make basmati rice at home easily. It's the best basmati you can get, and it's done on the stove top.

Other chicken curry recipes

Easy Butter Chicken Recipe (Indian Style)

Indian Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk

Chicken Dhanzak

Chicken Rogan Josh

Chicken Balti

Leftover Chicken Tikka Masala - My Gorgeous Recipes (4)

If you’ve liked my INDIAN LEFTOVER CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA RECIPE or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can alsoFOLLOW MEonFACEBOOK, andPINTERESTto see more delicious food and what I’m getting up to.

Leftover Chicken Tikka Masala - My Gorgeous Recipes (5)

Leftover Chicken Tikka Masala

Indian Leftover Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe, a delicious chicken curry that is super easy to make, yet aromatic and so comforting. This homemade version easily beats any take-away. A delicious family dinner that is ready in about 20 minutes.

3.28 from 22 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 people

Calories: 426kcal

Author: Daniela Apostol

Ingredients

  • 2 cups leftover roast chicken
  • 2 onions
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 4 large tomatoes
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 2 cm fresh ginger root
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon mild curry powder
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 tablespoon tomato purée
  • 2 tablespoon Greek yogurt
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • fresh coriander or parsley
  • ½ red chilli

Metric - US Customary

Instructions

  • Peel and cut the onions, garlic cloves and ginger.

  • Heat up the oil in a pan and fry the onions on a medium heat until golden.

  • Add the garlic, chilli and ginger and stir for 10-15 seconds.

  • Chop the tomatoes and add them to a pan, then mix well and cook until the tomatoes are mushy.

  • Next, add the spices and fry for a few seconds to release their full flavour, then pour in the and water and leave to cook until the water has been absorbed and the sauce begins to thicken.

  • Add the sugar, tomato purée, yogurt and check if it needs any salt or pepper.

  • Add the cooked chicken, give it a good stir, and simmer for 2-3 minutes.

  • Garnish with fresh coriander or parsley.

  • Remove from the heat and serve hot with basmati rice, naan or pitta bread.

Notes

  • The servings can be adjusted by clicking the number next to Servings.
  • See the post for more tips on how to make the best leftover chicken tikka masala

Nutrition

Calories: 426kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 106mg | Sodium: 147mg | Potassium: 1244mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 2295IU | Vitamin C: 61.5mg | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 3.7mg

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Leftover Chicken Tikka Masala - My Gorgeous Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How long is leftover chicken tikka masala good for? ›

Leftover chicken tikka masala will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months when stored in an airtight container.To reheat, just put it in the microwave for about 4 minutes on medium high heat.

What to add to shop bought tikka masala? ›

Add more spices: Store-bought curry sauces often lack the depth of flavour that homemade sauces have. To remedy this, you can add more spices like cumin, turmeric, coriander, and garam masala. Use fresh ginger and garlic: Fresh ginger and garlic add a lot of flavour to curries.

Is it OK to reheat chicken tikka masala? ›

Once defrosted, reheat, and consume within 48 hours. To reheat, empty into a saucepan and place over a gentle heat, stirring occasionally until piping hot, alternatively you can empty into a microwave-safe container and heat for 2-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until piping hot.

Can you freeze leftover chicken tikka masala? ›

The sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead of time, stored in the fridge. Cook the chicken and warm the sauce the day of serving. To Freeze: Freeze Chicken Tikka Masala in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and rewarm on the stove.

Can I eat cooked chicken after 7 days? ›

USDA recommends using cooked chicken within three to four days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within three to four days.

Is tikka masala good after a week? ›

However, it should be consumed within 3-4 days once it has been opened and kept in the fridge. Homemade Tikka Masala can also be kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If you have a surplus or love meal-prepping, you can freeze the sauce for up to 2 months for a quick and flavorful weekday meal.

What pairs well with chicken tikka masala? ›

Traditionally, chicken tikka masala is served with vegetables, steamed long-grained basmati or white rice, toasted pita, or any type of naan bread. Then top it with some chopped coriander, and finally serve with a few lemon wedges on the side.

What is traditionally served with tikka masala? ›

Serving Suggestions

Serve chicken tikka masala with Tandoori Roti, Butter Naan, paratha, roti or over Jeera rice or plain Basmati Rice. This meal goes well with kachumber salad, onion salad and Sweet and salt lassi or Mango Lassi. Vegetarian dishes like Aloo Gobi, Cabbage stir fry and Bombay potatoes go well.

How are you supposed to eat tikka masala? ›

My friends taught me how to properly eat chicken tikka masala, and now I'll break down the steps for you:
  • Serve some chicken with gravy on your plate. ...
  • Split the bread with your hand and use that piece to grab the chicken.
  • Take it directly to your mouth. ...
  • Try it with rice.
Apr 4, 2020

Is tikka masala better the next day? ›

Leftover chicken tikka masala tastes phenomenal the next day because the spices develop more flavor overnight. Avoid using Greek yogurt if possible for this recipe.

How do you cool down chicken tikka masala? ›

Top five ways to make a curry or chilli less spicy
  1. More vegetables. ...
  2. Coconut milk or cream. ...
  3. Lemon, lime or vinegar. ...
  4. Yogurt or soured cream. ...
  5. Sugar or ketchup.
Dec 21, 2020

Can I leave chicken tikka masala out overnight? ›

Cooked chicken left out overnight is most certainly not safe to eat. Cooked chicken left out of the fridge over 2 hours is dangerous and is no longer safe to eat – it must be discarded. To reduce exposure to bacteria, it's important to store chicken correctly when it's left out of the fridge.

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 long does a jar of tikka masala last in fridge? ›

Once opened, tikka masala simmer sauce should be refrigerated and used within 3-5 days for best quality and safety.

How long does cooked chicken tikka last in the fridge? ›

We cook our meat at very high heat, which will effectively kill bacteria. Cooked chicken is good enough for 3–4 days in the fridge.

How long does cooked chicken tikka last in fridge? ›

According to the USDA, cooked chicken will last three to four days in the refrigerator, and two to three months in the freezer. Eating cooked chicken after this point can result in foodborne illness — even at refrigerated temperatures, bacteria can still grow.

Can I eat chicken curry after 5 days? ›

4 days. Suppose you've prepared a meal with lots of ingredients, like chicken curry. In that case, you can keep it for as long as it's shortest fridge-life ingredient is safe. In the case of cooked chicken, this will be two days.

Can I eat cooked chicken after 5 days? ›

How Long Can You Keep Cooked Chicken in the Fridge? The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says that cooked chicken can last three to four days in the refrigerator, if stored at 40°F or less. 1 And that goes for any type of cooked chicken—store-bought, homemade, or restaurant leftovers.

How long will chicken Marsala last in the fridge? ›

Transfer your leftover chicken marsala to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days. To freeze your leftovers, store in an airtight container for up to 4 months. Thaw either in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of chicken broth.

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