Chicken Tikka Masala Spice Blend: The Pure Spice Ratio

A chicken tikka masala spice blend needs only four elements: a warm aromatic masala, ground coriander and cumin, turmeric, and red chilli.

Six teaspoons of blended spice season a full dish for four people. This guide gives you the exact ratio, the marinade and sauce method, and the reason pure single spices outperform any pre-mixed jar.

The Tikka Masala Spice Ratio

This blend uses four jars. Nothing else. It covers both the marinade and the sauce for a dish serving four.

Naram Masala anchors the blend. It is a ten-spice mix built on cardamom, cinnamon, fennel, star anise and coriander seed.

It delivers warmth without aggressive heat, which is exactly what a cream-based sauce needs. If you want more fire, raise the chilli. Never the masala.

These are the four spices in The No10 Set. One set covers this dish and dozens more.

How to Use the Blend

Step 1. Mix.
Combine all six teaspoons in a small bowl. Divide the blend in half.

Step 2. Marinate.
Whisk half the blend into 200g of thick yoghurt with crushed garlic, grated ginger, lemon juice and salt. Coat the chicken. Rest for a minimum of two hours. Overnight is better.

Step 3. Char.
Grill or pan-sear the chicken on high heat until the edges catch. The char is not optional. It is the tikka.

Step 4. Build the sauce.
Soften onions in butter. Add the remaining blend and bloom it for thirty seconds until fragrant. Add tomatoes, simmer, then finish with cream. Fold the chicken through.

Pre-Mixed Jars vs Pure Spices

Turn over a supermarket tikka masala sachet and read the label. Spices are often not the first ingredient. Padding is.

Diluted blends force compensation. More powder, more salt, less flavour. A pure blend works in smaller quantities and tastes of the spices themselves. Nothing else.

How Our Spices Are Verified

Every No10 Spice product is independently tested by Intertek, a UKAS-accredited laboratory operating under accreditation 4065. Our turmeric is verified for volatile oil content, the compound that carries aroma and depth. Every batch is screened for contaminants, with Salmonella reported as Not Detected.

This is what No Fillers. No Shortcuts. Ever. means in practice. Not a slogan. A test report.

Read the full breakdown in our guide to what pure turmeric powder actually means.
Link: pure organic turmeric powder post

Tikka Masala Blend vs Naram Masala

They are different tools. Naram Masala is a finishing spice, added in the final minutes for aroma. A tikka masala blend is a working mix. It seasons the marinade, survives high heat, and carries a tomato and cream sauce. It requires turmeric and chilli, which Naram Masala does not contain.

Naram Masala sits deliberately between the two. Softer than garam masala, broader in aroma, and gentle enough for the whole table. That balance is why it anchors this blend.

Our full comparison is here.
Link: naram masala alternative post

One Set. Every Dish.

Tikka masala tonight. Dal, biryani, roasted vegetables and marinades after that.

The four jars above are The No10 Set, and they replace the entire sachet drawer. The set also makes a considered gift for anyone who cooks.

Shop The No10 Set

Frequently Asked Questions

What spices are in chicken tikka masala?

Chicken tikka masala uses a warm aromatic masala, ground coriander and cumin, turmeric and red chilli, supported by garlic, ginger and salt. Tomato and cream form the sauce base. Six teaspoons of blended spice season a dish for four.

Can I make tikka masala spice blend at home?

Yes. Combine 2 tsp aromatic masala, 2 tsp ground coriander and cumin, 1 tsp turmeric and 1 tsp red chilli powder. Use half in the yoghurt marinade and half in the sauce.

Is tikka masala spice the same as Naram Masala?

No. Naram Masala is a finishing spice with no turmeric or chilli. A tikka masala blend is a complete working mix that seasons the marinade and the sauce.

What can I use instead of garam masala in tikka masala?

A softer aromatic blend such as Naram Masala works well. It provides the same warmth with a gentler, less clove-heavy finish that suits a creamy sauce.

How long should chicken marinate in tikka spices?

A minimum of two hours. Overnight in the fridge gives the deepest flavour and the most tender result.

How spicy is chicken tikka masala?

As spicy as you choose. With pure single spices, the heat comes only from the red chilli. One teaspoon gives a medium dish, while half a teaspoon keeps it mild and family-friendly.

Is a pure spice blend better than a pre-mixed sachet?

Yes. Pre-mixed sachets typically contain fillers, starch, anti-caking agents and added salt, often 20 to 40 percent. A blend of pure single spices contains none of that. It is fresher, stronger in aroma, and fully adjustable for heat.