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    Home Β» Recipes Β» All Recipes

    Feb 26, 2022 Β· Modified: Sep 6, 2022 by Liv Β· This post may contain affiliate links Β· 10 Comments

    Vegan Chicken Tikka Masala with Tofu

    Jump to Recipe

    I've made this recipe for Vegan Chicken Tikka Masala more times than I can remember. This and my Vegan Cheese Stuffed Naan are a match made in heaven and one of my favorite cozy dinners to make when I'm craving take out. It's quite simple to make but does require some extra prep ahead of time so be sure to read through the ingredients to make the time. I'll also share some shortcuts down below that I've done and ended up with a pretty good end result.

    Bowl of Vegan Chicken Tikka Masala with Basmati Rice and Naan.

    Where does Tikka Masala come from?

    The origin of Tikka Masala seems to be a big debate. This is a very popular dish all over the world so maybe the true origin will never be known.

    The techniques and flavor components are widely used in Indian cuisine and I personally am familiar with chicken tikka masala because it's widely available in Indian American restaurants. I've seen some information floating around the Internet stating that it might've come from Scotland.

    Either way, it's a very popular dish similar to the equally famous Butter Chicken. I have both a Butter Tofu and this Vegan Chicken Tikka Masala on the blog.

    Tikka masala is more tomato forward but still creamy while butter chicken is buttery and more on the creamy side. I hope you enjoy my non-traditional vegan spin on Chicken Tikka Masala.

    What You Will Need For This Vegan Chicken Tikka Masala

    Main Ingredients:

    • Extra Firm Tofu or Vegan Chicken
    • Tomato Sauce
    • Coconut Milk
    • Garam Masala
    • Onion & Garlic

    What vegan chicken should I use?

    I used pressed extra firm tofu instead of vegan chicken for this recipe but you could go the extra mile and make your own seitan or use store-bought unbreaded vegan chicken. If you're using tofu, I recommend pressing the tofu for at least 30 minutes to remove excess water. This will give the tofu a better texture when cooked. The tofu is then marinaded overnight and browned on a stove to crisp up the edges and add to the sauce to simmer for 15 minutes.

    Learn more about making the best tofu ever in the Ultimate Guide to Cooking Tofu.

    Need a Shortcut?

    1. Simply marinate the tofu or vegan chicken for at least 1 hour. The flavor won't be as strong as if you marinaded it overnight but it'll still be delicious.
    2. Skip the marinade all together! Simply toss pressed tofu in some cornstarch and the same seasonings listed and pan-fry until crispy. I use this method a lot and it's very tasty.
    Close up of vegan tikka masala garnished with cilantro.

    FAQ:

    What should I serve this Tikka Masala with?

    I always serve mine with basmati rice and cilantro on top as well as cheese stuffed naan bread. Naan is crucial when making Vegan Tikka Masala. You can even skip the cheese and just make the bread if desired. It's perfect both ways!

    Does Tikka Masala contain dairy?

    Typically, yes. It's a cream based tomato sauce and the protein is usually marinaded in yogurt. This recipe is vegan because we are using coconut milk and vegan friendly yogurt.

    Does this have a strong coconut flavor?

    Not at all! The coconut milk adds creaminess but the other flavors are far more overpowering and you can't taste the coconut milk.

    More Recipes You Might Like:

    • Butternut Squash & Chickpea Cashew Curry
    • Butter Tofu

    If You Make This Recipe:

    Tag me on Instagram! I’d love to see your delicious re-creations and feature them! As always, I would greatly appreciate if you share your review in the comments below. Don’t forget to add if you made any fun substitutions. Thank you!

    Bowl of Vegan Chicken Tikka Masala with Basmati Rice and Naan.

    Vegan Chicken Tikka Masala

    I've made this recipe for Vegan Chicken Tikka Masala more times than I can remember. This and myΒ Vegan Cheese Stuffed NaanΒ are a match made in heaven and one of my favorite cozy dinners to make when I'm craving take out.Β 
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Author: Liv King

    Ingredients
     

    Vegan Chicken:

    • 1 Block of Extra Firm Tofu or Vegan Chicken see above
    • 5 oz Container of Unsweetened Vegan Yogurt
    • 1-2 Garlic Clove minced
    • 1 tablespoon Fresh Ginger minced
    • 1 teaspoon Garam Masala
    • Β½ teaspoon Turmeric
    • Β½ teaspoon Salt

    Tikka Masala:

    • 2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil
    • 1 Medium Sized Onion minced
    • 2-3 Garlic Cloves minced
    • 1 tablespoons Fresh Ginger minced
    • 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
    • 1 tablespoon Garam Masala
    • 2 teaspoons Coriander
    • 1 teaspoon Cumin
    • 1 teaspoon Ground Chili Powder
    • Β½ teaspoon Turmeric
    • 1 Β½ teaspoons Salt more or less to taste
    • 1 cup Water or Vegetable Broth
    • 15 oz Can Tomato Sauce
    • 1 can Full-Fat Coconut Milk
    • Β½ - 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes optional
    • Basmati Rice for serving
    • Cilantro for serving
    • Lime Wedges for serving
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    Instructions

    • Press the tofu for at least 30 minutes to remove excess water.Β 
    • Whisk together vegan yogurt, garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric, and salt. Toss in pressed extra firm tofu that has been cut in to bite sized chunks or cubesΒ orΒ alternatively use vegan chicken and mix well. Marinate overnight.Β 
    • Heat a large saucepan on medium high heat and add 1-2 tablespoons of oil.Β Add the marinated tofu and cook until golden brown on all sides. Remove from pan and set aside.Β 
    • Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a medium sized pot and add the chopped onion. Cook the onion until soft and starting to brown and then add in the minced ginger and garlic. Cook for another 2 minutes or until fragrant.Β 
    • Next, add the tomato paste, garam masala, coriander, cumin, chili powder, turmeric, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix well and cook for about 1-2 minutes. Mix frequently and be careful not to burn.
    • Deglaze the pan with the tomato sauce and water/vegetable broth.
    • Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer the sauce for 20 minutes.
    • Stir in the can of coconut milk and cooked tofu. Simmer for another 15 minutes.
    • Taste and add red pepper flakes and more salt if needed.
    • Serve Tikka Masala over basmati rice and top with fresh cilantro and squeeze of lime.Β Enjoy!Β 

    Notes

    I marinated the tofu in the seasoned yogurt overnight but if you're doing it same day make sure you give it minimum 1 hour to develop some flavors. If you're skipping the marinade, coat the tofu in cornstarch and seasonings and crisp it up in the pan and add to the sauce after you've simmered it for the total time. So basically, do whatever you want to your protein and just make the sauce cause that's the real magic here.Β 
    Did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anonymous says

      October 28, 2022 at 6:43 pm

      5 stars
      really good! I love the balance of spices

      Reply
      • Liv says

        October 28, 2022 at 8:44 pm

        So happy you enjoyed πŸ™‚

        Reply
    2. Rachael M. says

      October 25, 2022 at 9:58 pm

      5 stars
      The flavors are ALL there. Super flavorful. I finished the entire batch in two days πŸ™ƒ.

      I did have a small issue when frying the tofu after it had marinated in the yogurt/spice combination. I marinated for about an hour and a half and when I fried it a lot of the marinade came off in the oil. Any suggestions on how to remedy this? Thank you Liv!

      Reply
      • Liv says

        October 26, 2022 at 11:44 am

        Happy you enjoyed it! As for the marinade/frying issue, I will remake this shortly and add a note in the post. Thank you for letting me know! πŸ™‚

        Reply
    3. Rachael says

      July 15, 2022 at 3:44 pm

      5 stars
      I followed the recipe exactly as is and it came out amazing!! I will definitely being making this again. With a little planning this is also super easy to make if you have the time.

      Reply
      • Liv says

        July 15, 2022 at 7:17 pm

        So happy you enjoyed!! πŸ™‚

        Reply
    4. Ashley says

      May 04, 2022 at 3:00 pm

      5 stars
      I make this all the time! It’s just so good!

      Reply
      • Liv says

        May 04, 2022 at 4:12 pm

        Yay! So glad πŸ™‚

        Reply
    5. Sophia says

      March 11, 2022 at 3:45 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! I marinated vegan chicken overnight in the sauce, it turned out perfectly. Will definitely try again with tofu. Also the recipe doesn’t mention limes but your photo does - balance the richness of the sauce perfectly. YUM.

      Reply
      • Liv says

        March 11, 2022 at 5:37 pm

        Thank you for pointing that out. Lime wedges have been added to the instructions. You're right! It really balances out the richness. Thank you so much for your review. I'm so glad you enjoyed πŸ™‚

        Reply

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