If you love Indian food, you will know that chicken tikka and chicken tikka masala are two of the most renowned dishes in India. Walk into an Indian restaurant, and you will always see these options printed on the menu.
Believe it or not, these are two separate dishes and are quite different from one another, which we will explore in this article.
Chicken tikka vs chicken tikka masala; let’s find out the 12 things you need to know.
#1: What Is The Tikka In Tikka Masala?
If you ever see a dish with the word ‘tikka’ in the title, this refers to the pieces of meat. Chicken tikka is a historic dish and dates back to the 15th century. The story has it that an emperor demanded that any bones be removed from the chicken pieces he was served as he was afraid of choking.
#2: Chicken Tikka Masala includes A Delicious Gravy Base
The major difference between the two is that chicken tikka masala is pieces of chicken tikka cooked in a creamy tomato-based sauce. We could argue that it is much more of a meal than chicken tikka on its own, as the gravy base is quite filling.
#3: Chicken Tikka vs Chicken Tikka Masala: Both Dishes Can Be Served The Same Way
When it comes to chicken tikka vs tikka masala, it is true to say that both dishes are usually served with side dishes such as basmati rice and Indian bread like naan or roti.
Onion rings and salad are also popular choices to serve with chicken tikka pieces.
#4: Chicken Tikka Masala: A Short History
The history of how chicken tikka masala came about is, in our opinion, quite comical! It is said that during the 1970s in Glasgow, Scotland, a customer of an Indian restaurant made a complaint about the chicken dish they had been served, stating that it was too dry.
The chef then took it upon himself to resolve this problem by creating a gravy for the chicken made out of tomato soup and cream. And the rest is history!
#5: Chicken Tikka Masala is The Spicier of The Two
Chicken tikka is just one ingredient included in a masala dish. Therefore, there are more spices included in the finished product which renders this the spicier of the two. However, that’s not to say it’s a fiery dish. Chicken tikka masala is only slightly spicy and is one that is popular among children due to its creamy taste and mild flavor.
If you prefer mild curries over spice, you may find the helpful article on chicken makhani vs chicken tikka masala.
#6: Chicken Tikka vs Chicken Tikka Masala: The Spice Blend
To give you more of an idea of the spice factor, we’ve put together a table of what is included in each dish.
| Chicken Tikka Masala | Chicken Tikka |
| Ground cumin | Ground cumin |
| Ground coriander | Ground coriander |
| Cinnamon powder | Ground black pepper |
| Cloves | Turmeric powder |
| Cardamom |
As you can see, the masala includes cardamom and cloves which gives the dish that extra heat. However, you can remove or add as many spices as preferred when making your own.
#7: Authentic Chicken Tikka is Made Inside a Tandoor
Historically, chicken tikka pieces were often cooked inside a tandoor, a clay oven that can reach temperatures of 450 degrees. This method of cooking is still used to this day and can be found in many Indian restaurants. The chicken pieces are cooked over a live fire which gives it a smoky, or barbecued, flavor.
#8: Chicken Tikka Can Be Served as a Side Dish And a Main
Some like to order chicken tikka as a starter dish. Others like to enjoy it as a main dish with side dishes such as onion rings, rice, or naan. This versatile dish can be used to make chicken kebabs and salads too.
#9: Chicken Tikka: How To Make It Yourself
All this talk about chicken has made us hungry! Here’s the recipe to make this dish yourself. Let’s take a look.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs diced boneless chicken pieces
- Lemon juice from 2 lemons
- 1 tbsp salt
- 250ml plain yogurt
- 2 tbsp garlic puree
- 1 tbsp ginger puree
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp ground coriander
- 1 tbsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 diced green chilies
- Small bunch of coriander leaves (optional)
Method
- In a bowl, combine the yogurt with the ground spices, garlic and ginger puree, green chilies, and coriander. Mix well until a smooth paste is formed.
- Add in the chicken breast pieces and coat well with the marinade. Once coated, squeeze the juice of a lemon over the mixture and add the salt.
- Cover the bowl with cellophane or a towel and refrigerate for 6 to 48 hours. The longer, the better! If you are running short of time, 20-30 minutes will suffice.
- Once it is ready to cook, you need to place the chicken on skewers and decide how you want to cook them. If you own a tandoor, then perfect! If not, you can grill them or if possible, cook them over a gas barbecue to get that charcoal flavor.
Take a look at this video to find out how you can make your very own chicken tikka masala.
#10: Is Chicken Tikka Masala Unhealthy?
We’re not going to lie. It isn’t the healthiest meal you could choose! Authentic chicken tikka masala is usually cooked with lashings of heavy cream and butter. Therefore, it is pretty calorific, especially when served with Indian flatbreads and rice!
Check out this article about chicken paneer masala vs chicken tikka masala to see if one is healthier than the other!
#11: What Is The Best Way To Preserve Each Dish?
The great thing about Indian cuisine is that you can cook as much as you want and simply store the rest to be consumed at a later date.
Both dishes should be stored in airtight containers and can either be refrigerated for up to 3 days, or you can freeze them for up to 3 months. This is ideal if you are in charge of cooking for big celebrations and need to prepare weeks beforehand!
#12: Are These Dishes Vegan?
Unfortunately, neither dish is vegan, and not just because they contain chicken. Even if you were to remove the meat, both dishes contain dairy products. However, feel free to switch to plant-based alternatives, which give you the same great flavor and are guilt-free!
To learn more about vegetarian dishes, read this article about paneer masala vs paneer tikka masala.
