Chicken tikka masala is an Asian curry made of grilled boneless chicken pieces cooked in a spicy curry. Though an Asian dish, it is considered as a true British curry. Tikka means pieces or small bits in Persia. The color of the dish varies from red to orange. It has a tangy, creamy flavor.

History

There is a lot of controversy over the origin of this classic curry. Some story says it was conceived in an Indian restaurant in Punjab. Some say it originated in Birmingham and Newcastle.

Ingredients and Preparation

Boneless chicken breast, yogurt and tomato are the main ingredients for making chicken tikka masala. Ginger, onion and green chillies are used to enhance the flavor of the marinade as well as the gravy. Spices like cumin, mace, nutmeg, cardamom and lemon juice are used as a part of the marinade. Cream, butter and mixed Indian spices are used to make the gravy.

All the ingredients for making the marinade are mixed in a bowl. Chicken pieces are added to the marinade and left in the refrigerator overnight. Marinated chicken pieces are grilled in a charcoal oven or grill basting with butter or margarine.

Tomato, cream sauce is made by cooking tomatoes, tomato paste and all the spices together. Grilled chicken pieces are added to the sauce and cooked for some time so that the flavor penetrates inside the chicken.

Serving

·         Chicken tikka masala is served wither with naan or roti.

·         It forms an integral part of St. George’s day food. It is one of the most popular british dishes. It is served with flat yeast breads.

·         It can also be served with brown rice or polished rice.

Similar Dishes

·         Butter chicken is a popular Indian and Pakistani curry made in a similar way.

Health and Nutrition Facts

Serving size – 1 bowl (150 g)

Calories – 295 cal, Fat – 16 g, Protein – 26 g, Total carbohydrates – 15 g, Sodium – 300 g

•  Chicken tikka masala is high in calories and and fat. It should be avoided by people who are obese and suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
• It is high in protein and is beneficial for body builders and also for building muscle tone.
• A healthier version can be made by replacing cream with milk or yogurt.
• This dish should be eaten too often. It should only be consumed on festive occasions or special events.
• A vegetarian version of the dish can be made by using cottage cheese instead of chicken. Milk protein is as healthy as chicken protein.