Sizzling Chicken Tikka Bowls With Mint Sauce Recipe

Quick Sizzling Chicken Tikka Bowls With Mint Sauce Recipe

Bursting with vibrant flavors, these chicken tikka bowls with mint sauce offer a culinary journey through authentic Indian cuisine.

Tender, marinated chicken tikka creates a delightful centerpiece in this mouthwatering recipe.

Aromatic spices dance across succulent chicken pieces, promising a taste explosion with every bite.

The cool, refreshing mint sauce perfectly balances the rich, warm flavors of the marinated meat.

Colorful vegetables and fragrant rice complement the star ingredient, making each bowl a complete meal.

Recreate this restaurant-quality dish at home and surprise your taste buds with an incredible blend of spices and textures.

You’ll fall in love with this easy-to-make, restaurant-inspired meal that brings the essence of Indian street food directly to your kitchen.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 480 kcal

Servings: 5

All You Need For Crispy Chicken Tikka Bowls With Mint Sauce

For Marinade and Chicken:
  • Chicken Thighs: Dark meat guaranteed for juicier, more flavorful results with better texture.
  • Yogurt: Tenderizes chicken and creates creamy coating for rich, tangy flavor profile.
  • Olive Oil: Helps spices adhere and promotes even browning during cooking.
  • Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and helps break down protein for more tender meat.
  • Garlic: Provides deep, aromatic base note with warming intensity.
  • Ginger: Brings zesty, sharp undertone and helps balance overall spice blend.
  • Spice Blend: Creates authentic tikka flavor with complex layered warmth.
For Mint Yogurt Sauce:
  • Plain Yogurt: Creates smooth, creamy base with tangy background.
  • Fresh Mint: Delivers cool, refreshing herbal notes.
  • Cilantro: Adds bright, green freshness with slight peppery undertone.
  • Garlic: Introduces sharp, punchy flavor dimension.
  • Lemon Juice: Brightens sauce and balances rich yogurt base.
For Bowl Components:
  • Rice: Serves as hearty, neutral foundation for entire dish.
  • Lettuce: Provides crisp, fresh texture.
  • Tomatoes: Offers juicy, sweet-tangy element.
  • Cucumber: Adds cool, crunchy contrast.
  • Pickled Onions: Introduces sharp, acidic punch.
  • Naan: Optional side for scooping and extra carbohydrate complement.

Tools To Prep Crispy Chicken Tikka Bowls With Mint Sauce

  • Large Bowl: Essential for mixing marinade and coating chicken evenly.
  • Baking Sheet: Helps cook chicken uniformly with crispy edges.
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents chicken from sticking and makes cleanup easy.
  • Blender or Food Processor: Perfect for creating smooth mint yogurt sauce.
  • Cutting Board: Use for chopping herbs, vegetables, and preparing ingredients.
  • Sharp Knife: Needed for precise vegetable and herb cutting.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensure accurate ingredient quantities.

Steps To Make Crispy Chicken Tikka Bowls With Mint Sauce

  • Marinate the Magic

Mix creamy yogurt with zesty lemon, fragrant garlic, and warming spices. Massage this vibrant blend into chicken, letting flavors dance and tenderize for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.

  • Roast to Golden Perfection

Heat oven blazing hot. Spread chicken on a baking sheet, ensuring each piece has breathing room. Bake until edges turn crispy and golden, flipping midway for even browning. For extra crunchiness, blast under broiler for a quick finale.

  • Whip Up Cooling Sauce

Toss fresh mint, bright cilantro, tangy yogurt, and punchy garlic into blender. Pulse until silky smooth, creating a refreshing sauce that’ll make taste buds sing.

  • Build Your Bowl

Layer fluffy rice as foundation. Crown with sizzling chicken, scatter crisp veggies, and drizzle generous swirls of mint sauce. Serve immediately for maximum deliciousness.

Tips To Change Up Crispy Chicken Tikka Bowls With Mint Sauce

  • Crispy Chicken Tikka Bowl Cooking Tips & Variations
  • Marination Magic: Let chicken marinate overnight for deeper flavor penetration. Longer marination means more tender, more flavorful meat that will melt in your mouth.
  • Protein Swap: Easily replace chicken with tofu, paneer, or salmon for vegetarian or seafood alternatives. Each protein absorbs marinade differently, creating unique taste experiences.
  • Spice Level Control: Adjust chili powder or add cayenne pepper to increase heat intensity. Start with small amounts and taste-test to find your perfect spice balance.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free. Check spice blend labels to maintain dietary restrictions.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare chicken and mint sauce up to 2 days in advance. Store separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator to save time during busy weeknights.

Serving Time For Crispy Chicken Tikka Bowls With Mint Sauce

  • Flavor Burst Plating: Create a colorful base with vibrant rice, strategically arranging crispy chicken pieces on top for maximum visual appeal and texture contrast.
  • Garnish Galore: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, and toasted sesame seeds over the bowl to add extra layers of flavor and crunch.
  • Sauce Drizzle Drama: Use a squeeze bottle or small spoon to create artistic mint sauce zigzags across the chicken, making each bowl look restaurant-worthy and Instagram-ready.
  • Naan Companion: Serve warm, slightly buttered naan bread on the side for dipping into the mint sauce and scooping up delicious chicken and rice bits.

How To Store Crispy Chicken Tikka Bowls With Mint Sauce

  • Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare double the chicken and sauce to create quick weeknight meals. Store separately in airtight containers for easy reheating and transforming into wraps, salads, or grain bowls.
  • Refrigeration Strategy: Keep marinated chicken and prepared mint sauce in sealed containers for up to 3 days. Separate wet and dry ingredients to maintain optimal texture and prevent sogginess.
  • Freezer-Friendly Hack: Freeze cooked chicken and mint sauce in individual portions. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently in a skillet or microwave to maintain crispy chicken texture.
  • Lunch Prep Technique: Assemble bowl components in mason jars or compartmentalized containers. Keep sauces and crispy chicken separate from fresh ingredients to prevent wilting and maintain crunch until mealtime.
Print
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Sizzling Chicken Tikka Bowls With Mint Sauce Recipe

Sizzling Chicken Tikka Bowls With Mint Sauce Recipe


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4.8 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Crispy chicken tikka bowls with mint sauce deliver a spectacular Indian-inspired culinary journey through fragrant spices and tender meat. Marinated chicken pieces rest on fluffy rice, complemented by cool mint sauce that brings fresh complexity to each delightful bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tbsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp chili powder (optional)
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (for marinade)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsps lemon juice
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (for mint sauce)
  • ½ cup fresh mint leaves
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • Salt, to taste
  • ½ tbsps water (to thin, as needed)
  • 2 cups cooked basmati rice or quinoa
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce or greens
  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup cucumber, diced
  • Pickled red onions (optional)
  • Warm naan or flatbread (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Marinate: Whisk yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, and spices in a large bowl. Completely coat chicken pieces, ensuring thorough coverage. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to infuse flavors.
  2. Prepare Oven: Preheat to 425°F with rack centered. Line baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and prevent sticking.
  3. Roast Chicken: Spread marinated chicken in a single layer, maintaining space between pieces. Cook for 20-25 minutes, rotating midway to guarantee even caramelization and thorough cooking.
  4. Crisp Finish: Activate broiler for 2-3 minutes, watching closely to achieve golden-brown edges without burning.
  5. Mint Sauce Creation: Blend yogurt, mint leaves, cilantro, garlic, lemon juice, and salt until smooth. Adjust consistency with water if needed, and fine-tune seasoning.
  6. Plate and Serve: Layer rice as a base, top with roasted chicken pieces. Embellish with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and pickled onions. Lavish with mint sauce and accompany with warm naan bread.

Notes

  • Marinate Wisely: Ensure chicken is fully submerged in marinade for at least 30 minutes to maximize flavor absorption and tenderness.
  • Prevent Overcrowding: Space chicken pieces separately on baking sheet to achieve crispy, evenly caramelized edges and prevent steaming.
  • Watch Broiling Carefully: Monitor chicken during final 2-3 minutes under broiler to create crispy exterior without burning the meat.
  • Sauce Consistency Matters: Adjust mint sauce thickness by adding water gradually, tasting and seasoning to achieve perfect balance of flavors.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 480
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 400 mg
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 60 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

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