This Chicken Tikka Masala is spicy, creamy, full of flavor, and sooooooo good that you won’t be able to stop at just one serving! I also share plenty of options to grill the chicken – in Oven, air fryer, on a griddle or skillet. Cooking this flavor-packed curry is easier than you think. Serve it over fluffy Basmati Rice, Cumin Rice or with Butter Naan, Roti, Chapati, Paratha or any flatbread of choice.
What is Chicken Tikka Breast? An Indian Grilling Classic
Chicken tikka breast is a popular grilled Indian dish made from marinated chicken breast cubes. It is a flavorful and juicy preparation that has become globally beloved
Chicken Tikka Basics
The term “tikka” refers to small pieces or chunks of meat Chicken tikka features bite-sized boneless pieces of chicken breast that are first marinated in a spiced yogurt mixture. This marinade tenderizes the chicken and infuses it with intense aromatic flavors
The marinated chicken is then cooked in a tandoor, a super-hot clay oven. The high heat helps create a smoky char on the outside while keeping the interior moist and succulent. While tandoor ovens are traditional, chicken tikka can also be grilled or broiled.
Key Marinade Ingredients
The marinade is integral to producing great chicken tikka. Key ingredients typically include:
- Yogurt – Tenderizes chicken and provides tangy flavor
- Spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder – Add depth of flavor
- Ginger and garlic – Provide aromatic base
- Lemon juice – Further tenderizes and brightens flavor
The chicken is usually marinated for several hours or overnight to allow flavors to penetrate deeply.
Why Use Chicken Breast?
People love chicken breast because it has a mild flavor, is tender when cooked right, and is a pretty white color. It’s possible for darker chicken thighs to look undercooked even when they’re fully cooked. Using boneless skinless chicken breasts avoids this issue.
However, chicken thighs offer more natural moisture and flavor. Restaurants often opt for breast to satisfy customer expectations while home cooks may prefer juicy thighs. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference.
Serving Chicken Tikka
A few popular serving suggestions include:
- On skewers as an appetizer with chutneys for dipping
- Cubed in curries such as chicken tikka masala
- Wrapped in naan or stuffed in pitas along with veggies
- In salads, bowls or as a pizza/flatbread topping
- Alongside rice dishes like biryani
Chicken tikka makes for a quick weeknight dinner or impressive starter for gatherings. Its versatility allows it to be served in diverse ways.
Tips for Juicy, Flavorful Chicken Tikka
Follow these tips for best results:
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Cut chicken into equal sized pieces for even cooking
- Marinate for several hours or overnight
- Grill over direct high heat or broil to add char
- Avoid overcooking; chicken is done at 165°F internal temperature
- Baste with ghee or butter towards end of cooking
- Adjust spice levels based on preference
- Garnish with chaat masala and lime juice before serving
Chicken tikka breast is flavorful, juicy and easy to make at home. With the right marinade and cooking method, you can achieve restaurant-quality results. Experiment with additions like paprika or cilantro in the marinade to put your own spin.
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What is Chicken Tikka Masala?
Chicken Tikka Masala is a traditional Indian curry made with char-grilled chicken chunks that are cooked for a short time in a tasty sauce. For this dish, there are two parts: the tikka and the masala, which is the gravy or sauce that the tikkas are cooked in.
“Tikka” means “a piece or chunk” in English. These tikkas are grilled pieces of chicken that have been marinated in spiced These smoky and aromatic tender chunks are simmered in a creamy, delicious and flavorsome onion tomato masala, known as Tikka Masala. The finished dish has a super addictive smoky flavor, tastes creamy and supremely delicious!!!.
This world popular dish has its origin from Northern India, where tikka kebabs were cooked in a tandoor consisting of live charcoal or wood fire. These are served as an appetizer with coriander/ Cilantro Chutney and Mint Chutney. However tikka masala sauce/gravy is said to be a fusion Indian-British curry, popularized by the Indian Chefs, working in Britain.
As you research, you will find many stories on the origin of this dish and a few dozens of variations to cook this dish.
Indian Vs British Tikka Masala
To summarise, Indian chicken tikka masala has fresh flavors due to the use of fresh tomatoes. It’s creamy, rich and delicious and won’t make you feel bloated as there is a very small amount of cream used. Cashews impart a magical creamy texture and flavour without making you feel heavy.
The British tikka masala has more deep flavors due to the use of passata and you will love this if you love the delicious umami flavour. But this requires plenty of cream to balance the taste of passata else you will only taste tomatoes in the curry.
Over the years I have tested this recipe with fresh tomatoes, canned tomatoes – fire roasted, bottled tomato puree/passata from different brands. So I have updated the recipe for both the versions and note that all brands of tomato puree or canned tomatoes won’t work here.
Avoid using canned tomatoes with citric acid added to it. This results in a metallic taste in the dish. I use passata from Mutti brand. It is sweet (no added sweetener) and won’t make your dish overly sour/tangy.
Indian chicken tikka masala with bell peppers
Photo Guide
Patak’s x Jamie Oliver Speedy Chicken Tikka Masala
FAQ
What is chicken tikka made of?
Boneless chicken pieces are marinated in yogurt with spices, put on a metal skewer, and cooked over live charcoal. The term “Tikka” translates to a piece or chunk. So you will find tikka being made with different kinds of foods. We have the Paneer tikka, lamb tikka, mushroom tikka and many more.
What does chicken tikka taste like?
Tikka masala is a tomato and cream-based sauce with a lot of spices added to it. It’s slightly spicy and tastes earthy. The chicken has a grilled flavor that pairs perfectly with the creamy sauce.
Is chicken tikka just butter chicken?
Butter Chicken is a subtly spiced dish, while Chicken Tikka Masala is known for its spicier flavour. Chicken cooked in the marinade for Tikka Masala is typically more succulent and tender than in Butter Chicken due to the addition of yoghourt. Butter Chicken has a creamier texture than Tikka Masala.
What type of meat is tikka?
Chicken Tikka is made of boneless chicken pieces that are marinated in a tasty Indian tandoori sauce made of yogurt and spices. The chicken is then put on skewers and baked or grilled.