Sticky Chicken Tikka Tacos (Printable)

Slow-cooked chicken tikka wrapped in tortillas with a sticky glaze and fresh garnishes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
02 - 2/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
03 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
04 - 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
05 - 1 tablespoon minced garlic
06 - 1.5 teaspoons ground cumin
07 - 1.5 teaspoons ground coriander
08 - 1.5 teaspoons garam masala
09 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
11 - 1.5 teaspoons salt

→ Masala Sauce

12 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
13 - 1 medium onion, finely diced
14 - 2 teaspoons grated ginger
15 - 2 teaspoons minced garlic
16 - 2 teaspoons ground cumin
17 - 2 teaspoons garam masala
18 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
19 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
20 - 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
21 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
22 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
23 - 2 tablespoons honey
24 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Sticky Glaze

25 - 2 tablespoons honey
26 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
27 - 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
28 - 2 tablespoons masala sauce (reserved)

→ For Serving

29 - 6 small flour tortillas or corn tortillas
30 - 1 red onion, thinly sliced
31 - Fresh cilantro leaves
32 - 1 small cucumber, diced
33 - Lime wedges

# How to Make It:

01 - Combine chicken thighs with yogurt, lemon juice, ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander, garam masala, smoked paprika, turmeric, and salt in a large bowl. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
02 - Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion, grated ginger, and minced garlic; sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
03 - Incorporate ground cumin, garam masala, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, honey, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat.
04 - Transfer marinated chicken and prepared masala sauce into slow cooker. Stir to coat chicken evenly. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours until chicken is tender.
05 - Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred with forks. Stir heavy cream into sauce remaining in slow cooker, return shredded chicken, and mix thoroughly.
06 - Combine honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons of reserved masala sauce in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes until thickened and sticky.
07 - Drizzle sticky glaze over shredded chicken and toss gently to coat evenly.
08 - Warm tortillas according to package instructions. Fill each with sticky chicken tikka masala, then top with sliced red onion, diced cucumber, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Combines two beloved cuisines for a unique flavor experience
  • Perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and sweet elements
02 -
  • Contains dairy (yogurt, cream, butter), gluten (if using flour tortillas), soy (in glaze)
  • You can easily make this dairy-free or gluten-free by using alternate products
03 -
  • Marinate the chicken overnight for deeper flavor
  • Warm tortillas before assembling for the best texture
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