Save to Pinterest A fusion of Indian and Mexican favorites: tender slow-cooked chicken tikka masala wrapped in soft taco shells, finished with a sticky, flavorful glaze and fresh toppings.
The first time I made these Sticky Chicken Tikka Masala Tacos was for a small get-together with friends who love both Indian spices and Mexican food. They were an instant hit and everyone loved how tender the chicken turned out thanks to the slow cooker, perfectly balanced with a sticky glaze and refreshing toppings.
Ingredients
- Chicken & Marinade: 700 g (1.5 lbs) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 150 g (2/3 cup) plain Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp ginger (freshly grated), 1 tbsp garlic (minced), 1.5 tsp ground cumin, 1.5 tsp ground coriander, 1.5 tsp garam masala, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground turmeric, 1.5 tsp salt
- Masala Sauce: 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 medium onion (finely diced), 2 tsp ginger (grated), 2 tsp garlic (minced), 2 tsp ground cumin, 2 tsp garam masala, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp chili powder, 400 g (14 oz) canned crushed tomatoes, 120 ml (1/2 cup) heavy cream, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 2 tbsp honey, salt and black pepper (to taste)
- Sticky Glaze: 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark brown sugar, 2 tbsp masala sauce (from above)
- For Serving: 6 small flour tortillas or corn tortillas, 1 red onion (thinly sliced), fresh cilantro leaves, 1 small cucumber (diced), lime wedges
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken:
- In a large bowl, combine all chicken & marinade ingredients. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (up to overnight).
- Prepare Masala Sauce:
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add onion, ginger, and garlic. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in cumin, garam masala, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Simmer Sauce:
- Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and honey. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
- Slow Cook Chicken:
- Add marinated chicken and prepared masala sauce to the slow cooker. Stir to coat chicken evenly. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours, or until chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Shred & Finish Sauce:
- Remove chicken and shred with two forks. Stir heavy cream into the sauce in the slow cooker, then return shredded chicken and mix well.
- Make Sticky Glaze:
- In a small saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, and 2 tbsp of the masala sauce. Simmer over medium heat until thickened and sticky, about 2–3 minutes.
- Glaze Chicken:
- Drizzle the sticky glaze over the shredded chicken and toss to coat.
- Assemble Tacos:
- Warm tortillas according to package instructions. Fill each with sticky chicken tikka masala, then top with sliced onion, cucumber, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
Save to Pinterest The fusion of cuisines makes this a favorite in our household, especially when we want something comforting yet a little adventurous for family dinners. Everyone looks forward to assembling their own tacos together at the table.
Required Tools
Knife & cutting board, mixing bowls, skillet, slow cooker, small saucepan, forks (for shredding chicken)
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (yogurt, cream, butter), gluten (if using flour tortillas), and soy (in glaze). May contain additional allergens in store-bought tortillas or sauces.
Nutritional Information (per taco)
Calories: 340, Total Fat: 13 g, Carbohydrates: 36 g, Protein: 20 g
Save to Pinterest These tacos are best enjoyed fresh and warm. Serve with crisp lager or Riesling for a perfect pairing!
Common Recipe Questions
- → How long should the chicken marinate?
Marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour, but preferably overnight to allow flavors to deepen.
- → Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour?
Yes, both corn and flour tortillas work well; choose gluten-free options if needed for dietary preferences.
- → What gives the glaze its sticky texture?
The glaze thickens by simmering honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, and masala sauce together over medium heat until syrupy.
- → Is it possible to make this spicier?
Adding chopped green chilies to the masala sauce will increase the dish’s heat and spice complexity.
- → Can I substitute dairy ingredients?
Use coconut yogurt instead of Greek yogurt and a suitable non-dairy cream alternative for a dairy-free version.