Looking for a simple meal idea with a ton of flavor that can be made in one pan? I’ve got you covered! This chicken tikka masala bake is crazy easy to make; you just mix everything up in a casserole dish and bake.

A One-Pan Dinner Idea

On Cheap Recipe Blog, my #1 goal is to share affordable recipes. 

My #2 goal is to share recipes that are also simple to make.

This chicken tikka masala bake recipe meets both of those goals. I love it because it tastes complicated – truly like a dish I would order at an Indian restaurant.

But it’s deceptively easy; as in, everything is mixed up in the same casserole dish that it’s baked in.

The end result? The delicious, rich flavors of chicken tikka masala in convenient casserole form.

What You’ll Need

As always, I will mention when an ingredient is optional – or if there is a suitable substitute.

Knowing what ingredients are optional, and which ones can be swapped out, can help you save money.

• Coconut milk: You can use low fat coconut milk, regular coconut milk or coconut cream. Make sure it’s unsweetened.
• Tomato paste
• Butter or ghee
• Chicken bouillon paste: My favorite bouillon paste is Better Than Bouillon. I always keep a container of the chicken flavor stocked in my fridge. This is a low-cost substitute for canned or boxed chicken broth when combined with some hot water. You can substitute canned or boxed chicken broth, or use chicken bouillon cubes dissolved in water.
• Spices: Indian food is full of flavor primarily because of all of the spices. For this recipe, I’m recommending garam masala (“warm spice mix”), turmeric, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. But feel free to use an Indian spice blend or your own blend of spices. To save money on spices, buy them from the bulk food section of your local grocer.
• Honey: I like to add just a little bit of sweetener. Feel free to substitute brown sugar or turbinado sugar.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic adds more flavor to this dish, but feel free to skip it or use all fresh garlic if you don’t have garlic powder on hand.
• Ginger: Fresh ginger adds great flavor to this recipe, but feel free to used ground powdered ginger instead – or leave it out altogether.
• Fresh vegetables: I used fresh onion, jalapeno, and a red bell pepper for this recipe. You could substitute frozen fajita vegetables.
• Basmati rice: While technically you could substitute long grain white rice or brown rice for this recipe, basmati rice is a great choice as it is most commonly served with Indian dishes.
• Chicken thighs: Chicken thighs are typically cheaper than chicken breasts. Look for boneless, skinless chicken thighs which are ideal for this recipe. You’ll need about 1 lb. for this recipe.

The Process

Scroll down for full recipe – but here’s the process, in a nutshell:

• Mix up the flavored broth: You’ll dump the following ingredients into a 9×13-inch casserole dish: Coconut milk, tomato paste, melted butter, water, spices, bouillon paste, and honey. Use a fork or a small whisk to make sure everything is mixed together.
• Add the rest of the ingredients: Add the garlic, ginger, chopped vegetables, rice, and chicken pieces. Mix it all up to make sure everything is evenly coated and distributed in the pan.
• Cover and bake for 45 minutes – then remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes. 

See? It’s really that easy. The only thing that takes time in this recipe is the baking. The prep work will take about 15 to 20 minutes.

What To Serve With This Chicken Dish

The following side dishes and accompaniments will taste great with this chicken tikka masala bake:

• Naan bread
• Cilantro chutney
• Fresh cilantro
• Indian-spiced chickpea and peanut salad
• Indian-spiced bar mix (as an appetizer/snack!)

No need to serve with a side of rice – it’s baked right in with the main dish!