Anyone familiar with Indian cuisine has certainly heard of chicken tikka masala. It is one of the most popular subcontinental dishes globally. But what is simple chicken masala, and how does it compare to chicken tikka masala?
The presence of tikka pieces is a major difference. Chicken tikka masala can only be made with bite-sized boneless chicken pieces. The same restriction doesn’t exist with chicken masala.
Chicken masala vs chicken tikka masala; here’s everything you need to know.
Chicken tikka masala always uses boneless chicken pieces
‘Tikka’ refers to boneless pieces of chicken. When used in the context of Indian dishes, it means any food that is served with small bite-sized meat. It usually just happens to be boneless.
This doesn’t hold true for all chicken curry dishes as is evident by the chicken tikka vs masala divide. While you can make chicken masala with boneless chicken pieces, it isn’t very common.
If you read our article on chicken makhani vs chicken tikka masala, you’ll see that some other curry dishes are traditionally made with bigger chicken pieces that have bones too. It explores the difference between butter chicken (a common name for chicken makhani) and chicken tikka masala.
Chicken masala is easier to make than other Indian curry dishes
Chicken masala is one of the easiest Indian cuisine dishes to make. It has a short prep time and no restrictions on what type of chicken you can use. So you can utilize whatever is lying in your fridge. This makes it a favorite among novice cooks.
You can store the cooked dish in a fridge or freezer without any worry in case you cook too much or want to prepare the food a day before a gathering. Being able to make chicken masala in advance makes it an excellent option for people who like to be prepared well before time.
Read more about how curry and masala dishes differ in our article titled curry vs masala.
Chicken tikka masala isn’t an Indian-origin dish
A chicken masala vs chicken tikka masala comparison would be incomplete without looking at the latter’s origin.
Even though chicken tikka masala has an Indian name, it is actually a British dish. The ingredients and cooking methods are inspired by Indian culinary tradition, but they originated outside of the subcontinent.
The story goes that a customer in an Indian restaurant in Scotland ordered chicken tikka. They sent it back to the kitchen complaining that their food was too dry. The cook made gravy or ‘masala’ for the chicken tikka, and the customer loved it.
Read our article on chicken tikka vs chicken tikka masala to familiarize yourself with the differences between the two dishes for a better understanding.
This British adaptation of a traditional Indian cuisine dish quickly became popular both globally and locally within India. Today, it is one of the most well-known subcontinental cuisine foods globally and, quite ironically, wasn’t made in India.
Chicken masala is best served with chapati or naan
Since chicken masala can be made with whole breast/leg pieces, it is difficult to eat with rice. You can serve it with basmati rice if you want to but chapati is better.
Since you use your hands when eating with such naan, it is easier to break the chicken into pieces with your hands. You’re expecting to use your forks and spoons when the chicken is served with rice which makes it slightly difficult to maneuver.
Both chicken dishes pair well with salad
This chicken masala vs chicken tikka masala guide wouldn’t be complete without exploring the common ground between these two mouth-watering dishes. The first similarity is that they can both be served with salad.
A bowl of fresh vegetable salad made with cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, and a drizzle of olive oil pair well with both chicken tikka masala and chicken masala.
In fact, pairing chicken tikka masala with vegetables is a go-to in Indian households.
Both dishes are equally spicy
Let’s continue the chicken masala vs chicken tikka masala comparison by looking at spice levels.
Chicken tikka masala and chicken masala both use herbs of equal spice level. Using more or fewer amounts of specific spices will change the spice level, but that depends on what the cook wants.
As a general rule of thumb, neither dish is particularly spicier than the other.
These dishes are generally only slightly spicy as compared to other Indian cuisine dishes. You do need some spice tolerance to eat either. However, this isn’t to say that they are especially fiery.
Making your own chicken tikka masala
Chicken tikka masala is essentially marinated boneless chicken chunks served in a creamy tomato puree with lots of spice. It has sweet ingredients like tomato and a small amount of sugar to allow the spice to shine through.
Base ingredients
Here are all the non-spice ingredients you need to cook chicken tikka masala:
- Cashews
- Chopped chicken breast pieces
- Cream
- Ginger and garlic paste (separately or combined)
- Onion
- Tikka paste
- Tomato (tomato puree or tomato paste can also be used)
- Vegetable oil
- Plain yogurt
Spices
The spices you’ll need include:
- Black pepper
- Chili powder
- Coriander
- Cumin
- Garam Masala
- Salt
- Turmeric
You can get most of these ingredients from general department stores. You’ll need to find a store with an extensive spice collection for others.
As for directions, you can follow this quick guide to make the creamy sauce for this delicious Indian cuisine dish from the comfort of your own home.
What you need to make your own chicken masala
Chicken masala is a broad term that refers to marinated chicken cut with bones served in a curry. The curry has several spices which makes this a bold dish with strong flavors. It also uses a significant amount of tomato to make a tomato sauce which makes it a typical traditional Indian cuisine dish.
Base ingredients
- Chicken (typically cut with bones)
- Onions
- Oil
- Coriander leaves
Marinade
Here’s everything you need for the chicken marinade:
- Yogurt
- Red chili powder
- Coriander powder
- Cumin
- Back pepper
- Coriander
- Cinnamon
- Clove
- Black cardamom
- Dry mango powder
- Fennel seeds
- Turmeric powder
- Salt
Paste
- Ginger and garlic paste (separate or combined)
- Green chili
- Tomato paste or puree
Spices for the curry
The spices you’ll need for the curry include:
- Red chili powder
- Coriander powder
- Cumin
- Back pepper
- Coriander
- Cinnamon
- Clove
- Black cardamom
- Dry mango powder
- Fennel seeds
- Turmeric powder
- Garam masala powder
Learn how to make your own chicken masala by watching this video. Note that the various spices (except for salt) listed under the marination are referred to as ‘pav bhaji masala.’
The term simply refers to a spice blend commonly used in Indian cuisine. If possible, you can use it to make your job as a cook easier!
What does chicken tikka masala taste like?
Chicken tikka masala is creamy and has a bold flavor profile. It has a beautiful tomato gravy that will make your mouth water. The dish itself is a little spicy which makes it ideal for those who love tangy Indian food.
Does chicken tikka masala have dairy?
Yes, chicken tikka masala recipes use yogurt. You can’t remove this ingredient because it is crucial to the flavor palette and offers unique input to chicken tikka masala nutrition.
You can use lactose-free yogurt and get the same dish, though. So if you or someone you know is lactose-intolerant, you don’t have to worry. However, if you have some other issue with the dairy, you’ll have to look at other Indian cuisine dishes.
Is chicken tikka masala gluten free?
Yes, chicken tikka masala is gluten-free. While it includes garam masala, this spice is perfectly safe for patients with gluten-related disorders.
What goes with chicken tikka masala?
Basmati rice and a drink can be considered as chicken tikka masala sides. If you don’t like rice, you can serve the dish with naan or chapati. Chicken tikka masala with vegetables is a favorite in India, where vegetables are added directly to the dish before serving.
As for chicken tikka masala wine pairing, consider a bold red to compliment the strong flavors of this dish.
Note that calories in chicken tikka masala with rice (350 calories/ meal) are more than calories in chicken tikka masala served without it (146 calories/ meal).
Is tikka masala like butter chicken?
No, tikka masala is spicier than butter chicken. It uses yogurt and chicken pieces, while butter chicken relies on heavy use of butter and fresh cream to get the authentic Moti Mahal flavor. Moreover, butter chicken can be made with whole chicken pieces that have bones in them.
Can you freeze chicken tikka masala?
Yes, you can freeze chicken tikka masala. Cook and cool the dish completely and put it in an airtight container. You can use a box or ziplock bag. Your food will stay safe for consumption for up to 3 months!
Is chicken tikka masala keto?
Whether or not your chicken tikka masala is keto depends entirely on the restaurant you order from. It’s a naturally low-carb dish that can have as few as 6 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
So you don’t usually have to worry about carbs in chicken tikka masala. However, this isn’t always the case, so it is best to check in with your cook and take a quick look at the recipe if possible.
