Chicken Masala Recipe (Freezer Cooking)

Do you need an easy recipe you can make ahead and pop in the slow cooker whenever you are ready? Look no further than chicken masala! While we love our hearty ground beef curry with peas & potatoes, this recipe features the flavors of India without using traditional curry powder. If you don’t already have garam masala in your spice cabinet, add it to your grocery list because this dish is a must-try!

Why I Love This Chicken Masala Recipe

We raise chickens for meat, which has led me to learn different ways to preserve chicken, such as canning raw chicken and freeze-drying cooked or raw chicken. These methods lend versatility to choosing how I want to prepare my chicken at a later date.

I also love to preserve prepared dishes for those busy weeknights when time is limited, but I still want to provide home-cooked meals. Some of my favorite recipes include:

• Easy Chicken and Gravy Recipe (In a Jar!)
• Freeze Dried or Frozen Chicken Pot Pie
• White Bean Chicken Chili – Pressure Canning Recipe
• Easy Meatloaf (Freezer Meal Prep)
• Home-Canned Beef Stew

This chicken masala recipe takes advantage of the freezer meal cooking method. When the slow cooker is finished working its magic, the remainder of my kitchen effort is finished in the time it takes to steam the rice.

The dish is not as spicy as you might get in an Indian restaurant, but you can add additional heat with cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes if that’s something you desire. Just start small!

What Is Chicken Masala

Indian chicken masala is a popular dish known for its bold, masala sauce. The word ‘masala’ means a mix of Indian spices, which can commonly include cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, red chili powder, and more.

Spice blends are crucial in making masala dishes. Indian recipes focus on roasting, grinding, and tempering spices to bring out their oils and flavors. 

The spices in masala are blended with tomatoes, onions, and sometimes yogurt or cream to create a creamy and tangy sauce that complements chicken well. When served over rice, it makes a delicious and satisfying dish.

Chicken Masala vs. Tikka Masala

In an Indian food comparison, Chicken Masala and Tikka Masala are often subjects of much curiosity. Both dishes hold a special place in the rich tapestry of Indian cuisine. They offer distinct experiences due to their unique preparation methods and ingredient profiles.

Chicken Masala takes a straightforward approach. The chicken is marinated and cooked directly in a spiced gravy, which is full of aromatic masala flavors. On the other hand, Tikka Masala involves marinating the chicken in yogurt and spices. It’s then grilled or baked and simmered in a creamy, tomato-based sauce.

Here’s a simple chart to identify the differences between these two dishes:

Aspect	Chicken Masala	Tikka Masala
Cooking Method	Directly cooked in gravy	Grilled or baked, then simmered in sauce
Marination	Minimal, usually not marinated for long	Yogurt and spices for several hours
Sauce	Spicy, rich in traditional Indian spices	Creamy, tomato-based with a hint of sweetness
Texture	Thicker, more rustic	Smoother, more velvety
Flavor Profile	Intense, spicy	Milder, richer in taste

In The Homestead Kitchen

This recipe was featured in issue no. 18 of In the Homestead Kitchen Magazine. This is the magazine we wish we had when we first started homesteading! 

I wanted to make healthy, delicious meals from scratch that my family loved, but Better Homes & Gardens didn’t really prepare me for the overwhelming abundance of the seasonal, homesteading life. 

What do you do with all those eggs? Those bushels of green beans? That 25-lb bag of wheat berries? Or all that basil? 

We started publishing In the Homestead Kitchen Digital Magazine to give homesteaders an affordable, inspiring read chock-full of the BEST recipes, DIY projects, and tips to make homesteading doable and FUN.

It’s become so popular that now the magazine has gone to PRINT! Be sure to subscribe now so the next issue gets shipped right to your doorstep.

How to Make Chicken Masala

Supplies Needed

• Knife & Cutting Board – Don’t neglect to practice knife sharpening basics.
• Mixing Bowl – A large mixing bowl works well to hold all of the ingredients.
• Measuring Utensils – Using measuring cups and spoons provides the best results for balancing the rich flavors of chicken masala.
• Skillet – I prefer using a properly seasoned cast iron skillet, but use whatever you have on hand.
• Freezer Safe Container – Use a freezer-safe container with an airtight lid or a gallon-size zip-top freezer bag.
• Slow Cooker – You can also use the slow-cook setting on an Instant Pot.

Ingredients Needed

To Freeze:

• Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best for this recipe, though chicken thighs are traditionally used.
• Ground Cumin – If you don’t have cumin on hand, you could substitute ½ Tbsp of ground coriander.
• Garam Masala – Garam masala is not difficult to find. It’s likely in the spice aisle at your local grocery store.
• Fresh Ginger – Peel and grate your fresh ginger, or substitute ½ tsp of ground ginger.
• Salt –  We love Redmond Real Salt. It’s the only salt we buy for both our family and our animals! Homesteading Hack: Using that link for Redmond Salt will automatically give you 15% off your order!
• Plain Yogurt – We enjoy making homemade yogurt, but store-bought yogurt works too.
• Neutral Oil – Olive coconut or avocado oil are all good choices.
• Onion – Yellow or white onions work best for this recipe.
• Garlic – If you have freeze dried garlic, you could use that, too.
• Crushed Tomatoes – If you are using store-bought crushed tomatoes, you will need two 28 oz. cans.
• Sugar – Sugar helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes. You can substitute brown sugar, honey, or even maple syrup.

To Serve:

• Cornstarch – I prefer to use non-GMO organic cornstarch found at Azure Standard. Homesteading Hack: If you’re a first-time Azure Standard customer, use coupon code “HOMESTEADINGFAMILY15” at checkout for 15% off your order of $100 or more. 
• Cream – You can use heavy cream, whipping cream or substitute full-fat coconut milk.
• Frozen Peas – Allow the peas to thaw first.
• Rice and Cilantro for Serving – Basmati rice is a popular choice, but white or brown rice works great, too.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Directions to Freeze:

1. Cut chicken into bite-size pieces.
2. In a large bowl, add the chicken, spices, and yogurt. Stir to coat the chicken and allow to sit while you cook the onions.
3. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil and sauté onions and garlic until the onions are translucent.
4. In your freezer bag or container, combine tomatoes, sugar, onions, and garlic.
5. Add marinated chicken slowly to the tomato mixture, including as much yogurt and spice marinade to the container as possible.
6. Seal the container completely and label it. Store masala curry in your freezer for up to 6 months.

Directions to Cook:

1. Remove the curry mixture from the freezer the day before you intend to cook it, and allow it to thaw in the refrigerator.
2. On the day you are ready to make your masala curry, pour the thawed chicken mixture into your slow cooker, cover, and cook the chicken on low for 5-6 hours.
3. When the chicken is cooked through, whisk cornstarch into 1⁄4 cup of heavy cream. 
4. Add cornstarch mixture, heavy cream, and peas to the slow cooker, stirring to combine. Cover and increase heat to high. 
5. Cook for 15 more minutes before serving over rice with cilantro garnish.

Did you try this recipe? If so, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below. Then snap a photo and tag us on social media @homesteadingfamily so we can see!

Other Posts You May Enjoy

• Easy Freezer Meal Cooking Tips (Recipes & Helpful Tips)
• Hearty Ground Beef Curry With Peas & Potatoes
• Everything You Need to Know About Raising Meat Chickens
• How to SAFELY Can Raw Chicken
• Freeze Drying Chicken at Home
• Easy Chicken and Gravy Recipe (In a Jar!)
• Freeze Dried or Frozen Chicken Pot Pie
• Easy White Bean Chicken Chili – Pressure Canning Recipe