Jacket potato with chicken tikka masala and grated cheese

🥔 Jacket Potato with Chicken Tikka Masala & Grated Cheese

A crispy-skinned baked potato filled with tender chunks of chicken tikka masala, then topped with melty grated cheese. It’s hearty, comforting, and bursting with rich, creamy spice — a perfect meal-in-one.

🧾 Ingredients (Serves 2)

For the Jacket Potatoes:

• 2 large Russet or Maris Piper potatoes

• Olive oil or butter

• Salt

For the Chicken Tikka Masala:

• 1 cup cooked chicken tikka (or rotisserie chicken)

• 1 tbsp butter or oil

• ½ small onion, finely chopped

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1 tsp grated ginger

• 1 tbsp tikka masala paste or a blend of:

  • ½ tsp ground cumin

  • ½ tsp garam masala

  • ½ tsp paprika

• ¼ cup tomato puree or canned crushed tomatoes

• ¼ cup heavy cream or coconut milk

• Salt, to taste

For the Toppings:

• ½ cup grated cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend)

• Optional: chopped cilantro, red onion slices, yogurt drizzle

🔪 Instructions

1. Bake the Potatoes

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

• Scrub potatoes, prick with a fork, rub with oil and salt.

• Bake directly on the oven rack for 50–60 minutes until crisp outside and fluffy inside.

⏱️ Shortcut: Microwave for 7–10 minutes first, then finish in the oven for 15–20 mins to crisp the skin.

2. Make the Tikka Masala Filling

• Heat butter/oil in a skillet. Sauté onion until soft (about 5 mins).

• Add garlic and ginger; cook 1 minute more.

• Stir in tikka masala paste or spices.

• Add tomato puree and simmer 2–3 minutes.

• Stir in cream and cooked chicken. Simmer until thickened and heated through (5–10 minutes).

• Season with salt. Adjust cream or spice level to taste.

3. Assemble

• Split baked potatoes open and fluff the inside lightly with a fork.

• Spoon in hot chicken tikka masala.

• Sprinkle generously with grated cheese — let it melt over the hot filling.

• Add optional toppings like cilantro, sliced red onion, or a drizzle of yogurt.

🍽️ Serving Ideas:

• With a side salad or roasted veggies

• As a filling lunch or cozy dinner

• Double up the tikka masala for extra sauce!

🔄 Variations:

• Vegetarian: Use paneer, chickpeas, or tofu instead of chicken

• Spicy: Add chili flakes or a spoon of hot curry paste

• Loaded: Add cooked peas, sweetcorn, or a dollop of mango chutney

Would you like this as part of a meal prep plan or want a milder kid-friendly version?