One Pot Chicken Tikka Masala Rice

This one pot chicken tikka masala rice combines tender pieces of chicken, fluffy basmati rice, and a creamy tomato coconut sauce for an easy, flavorful dinner made in one pot.

This chicken tikka masala rice is my easier, weeknight friendly take on the classic. My Indian butter chicken recipe is rich and creamy too, but this one skips the marinating and cooks the chicken, sauce, and rice together in one pot. The rice soaks up all that warmly spiced tomato coconut sauce, which means more flavor and, mercifully, fewer dishes.

I like serving it with warm homemade sourdough naan for scooping up the extra sauce. It is easy enough for a regular weeknight and still full of bold flavor. For another simple meal with everything cooked together, try my one pot whole chicken with rice.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Tikka Masala Rice

• Everything cooks in one pot. The chicken, sauce, and rice cook together, which keeps cleanup simple. For another easy dinner with minimal cleanup, try my one pot Marry Me chicken.

• No marinating required. You still get tender chicken and plenty of flavor without planning hours ahead.

• The rice absorbs the sauce. Instead of serving plain rice on the side, it cooks directly in the creamy tomato coconut sauce.

• Ready in about 40 minutes. Serve it with homemade sourdough naan for an easy and filling dinner.

Key Ingredients

Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are cut into bite sized pieces so they cook quickly and evenly. Chicken thighs can also be used for a slightly richer flavor.

Basmati rice: Long grain basmati rice works best because it stays fluffy while absorbing the creamy tikka masala sauce. Rinse it well before adding it to the pot.

Garam masala: This warm spice blend gives the dish its classic tikka masala flavor.

Tomato sauce: Tomato sauce creates the rich curry base and blends smoothly with the spices and coconut milk.

Coconut milk: Full fat coconut milk makes the sauce creamy and helps balance the tomatoes and warm spices.

Chicken broth: The broth provides enough liquid to cook the rice while adding more flavor than water alone.

Garlic and onion: These create the savory base of the sauce and add depth to the finished dish.

Warm spices: Paprika, cumin, turmeric, and ginger build layers of flavor without making the recipe overly complicated.

How to Make One Pot Chicken Tikka Masala Rice

Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Add the onion and garlic, then cook until softened and fragrant.

Step 2: Stir in the chicken, garam masala, cumin, curry powder, turmeric, chili powder, and salt. Cook until the chicken is lightly browned and coated in the spices.

Step 3: Add the liquids and rice. Pour in the tomato sauce, coconut milk, and chicken broth, then stir in the rinsed basmati rice. Bring everything to a gentle simmer.

Step 4: Cover and cook. Reduce the heat, cover the pan, and cook until the rice is tender, the chicken is fully cooked, and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

Step 5: Rest and serve. Let the chicken tikka masala rice rest for a few minutes, then fluff the rice and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

This is a brief visual overview. Full ingredient amounts and detailed instructions are included in the recipe card below.

Tips for the Best Chicken Tikka Masala Rice

• Rinse the rice well. Rinse the basmati rice until the water runs mostly clear to remove excess starch and help prevent a gummy texture.
• Use a wide, heavy pan. A large skillet or Dutch oven gives the rice room to cook evenly and reduces the chance of scorching.
• Toast the spices briefly. Let the spices cook with the chicken for about 30 seconds before adding the liquids. This deepens their flavor without burning them.
• Keep the heat low once covered. A gentle simmer helps the rice cook evenly while keeping the sauce from reducing too quickly.
• Do not lift the lid repeatedly. Trapped steam is what cooks the rice, so leave the pan covered until the cooking time is nearly finished.
• Let it rest before serving. Resting the covered pan for about five minutes allows the rice to finish absorbing the sauce and firm up slightly.

One Pot Chicken Tikka Masala Rice FAQs

More Easy One Pot Dinners

Looking for more simple dinners that keep cleanup to a minimum? Try these:

If you tried this One Pot Chicken Tikka Masala Rice or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!