Butter Chicken vs. Tikka Masala: Unraveling the Differences in Flavorful Delicacies (2024)

Introduction to Chicken Tikka Masala vs. Butter Chicken

Chicken Tikka Masala and Butter Chicken are two of the most famous recipes. Despite the similarities between these two recipes, they also have some key differences. Both dishes are lovely and feature tender chicken chunks in a rich sauce.

Chicken Tikka masala is a well-known Indian cuisine both in India and abroad. It is created using chicken tikka, which are pieces of Chicken marinated in spices (such as chili powder, cumin, and coriander), grilled or broiled, and then stewed in a rich tomato-based sauce. Although it's frequently assumed that tikka masala originated in Britain, it has roots in Northern India, where it was developed to use up the leftover Chicken after making Tandoori Chicken.

The traditional name of Butter Chicken was murgh makhani. It was found in North India. It is a chicken dish with spicy tomatoes, cream, sauces, masalas, and coconut milk. Butter Chicken is indeed one of the most popular Indian dishes globally. According to a survey recently, it has found out that Butter Chicken was one of the most googled Indian dishes worldwide. Kundan Lal Gujral, the founder of Butter Chicken, created this dish in his north Indian restaurant, "Moti Mahal," which is now served and loved worldwide.

What is the difference between Butter Chicken and Chicken Tikka Masala?

The main difference between butter chicken and tandoori chicken tikka masala is the level of creaminess; butter chicken is much creamier, whereas chicken tikka masala relies on tomatoes and other spices, giving it its earthy and spicy flavor profile. Even though the ingredients in these two dishes are practically identical, they differ in more ways than you could have anticipated.

Chicken tikka can be spicy or mild, and both are red, but butter chicken is white and contains cream or milk (thus the butter) as an ingredient to get that creamy texture. Compared to tikka masala, butter chicken is more mildly flavored.

"Tikka" describes grilled or roasted meat marinated in yogurt or flavored water and then cooked on skewers. However, Tandoori Tikka Masala restaurant style can be served with any form of Chicken, while Butter Chicken is often made from breast meat in which Chicken is shredded and cut into nugget size pieces.

Quick Recipes for Chicken Tikka Masala and Butter Chicken

The fussiest thing about Chicken Tikka Masala and Butter Chicken is the endless list of ingredients it needs, and the time it takes to cook. It takes hardly 15-20 minutes to prepare this dish. No worries; Alcoeatshas brought you, Easy Indie Bowl Spicy Chickenand Butter Chicken gravy mix. Let's see how:

Butter Chicken vs. Tikka Masala: Unraveling the Differences in Flavorful Delicacies (2024)

FAQs

Butter Chicken vs. Tikka Masala: Unraveling the Differences in Flavorful Delicacies? ›

Taste. Butter Chicken has a milder and creamier taste, while Tikka Masala has a spicier, earthy, and tangier taste. Butter Chicken is a buttery and creamy tomato-based sauce. At the same time, Tikka Masala has a slightly sour and tangy tomato-based sauce.

What is the difference between tikka masala and masala chicken? ›

Masala is a sauce made with cream, yoghurt, tomatoes, or spices to add flavour to the food. Butter Chicken contains shredded, nugget-sized pieces of chicken heated in the tandoor, and it tends to be creamier and sweeter than regular chicken curry with heavier spices. On the other hand, Tikka masala is smoky and spicy.

Why does tikka masala taste different? ›

On top of what others have said, many of the spices used in Indian dishes need to be cooked before/with the meat and then have the yoghurt/sauce added. Makes a big difference to the flavour to fry the spices in ghee first.

What is butter chicken supposed to taste like? ›

What Does Butter Chicken Taste Like? Butter chicken has a rich, savory, and sweet flavor. The butter and cream add richness, while the spices give it more of a traditional curry flavor, and the tomato sauce balances it all out with a hint of sweetness.

Is butter chicken healthier than chicken tikka? ›

Although both dishes have high levels of saturated fat, chicken remains the preferred choice for maintaining good health. Compared to other meats, chicken dishes tend to be more nutritious. Chicken tikka masala is a healthier option than butter chicken as it contains less fat (7 grams vs. 4 grams) and more protein.

What is the taste difference between tikka masala and butter chicken? ›

Butter Chicken has a milder and creamier taste, while Tikka Masala has a spicier, earthy, and tangier taste. Butter Chicken is a buttery and creamy tomato-based sauce. At the same time, Tikka Masala has a slightly sour and tangy tomato-based sauce.

Is tikka masala unhealthy? ›

But like many Indian dishes that were originally low fat, the modern recipe for chicken tikka masala is anything but. An average portion has whopping 1,249 calories and 90.8 grams of fat. A lot of that comes from the ghee and heavy cream.

Is butter masala the same as butter chicken? ›

This finger-licking good curried dish is popular on the restaurant menus. Also known as Butter Chicken Masala, this is a modified version of the authentic North Indian Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani).

Is tikka masala bland? ›

Tikka Masala is intensely flavorful due to the plethora of seasonings.

Should tikka masala be sweet? ›

It should be savoury with tomatoes, but with a hint of sweetness too; rich without being overtly creamy; and moderately spiced, rather than fiery. At the base of almost every tikka masala sauce, as Prasad notes, are onion, ginger and garlic; indeed, I miss the onions in Anjum Anand's version from I Love Curry.

Why is butter chicken so bland? ›

Garam Masala is a spice blend used in Indian cooking. To make a good butter chicken you need a really good garam masala else your dish can end up being bland without any flavors.

Why does my butter chicken taste bitter? ›

Your curry can taste bitter if the spices and garlic are burnt or if you've added too much fenugreek to the dish. You see, the secret to cooking a delicious curry recipe is to create a spicy paste and slowly cook it before adding your meat.

Why do people like butter chicken so much? ›

This dish traces its roots back to Northern India in the city of Amritsar. This tasty recipe has become famous among foodies around the world, and one of the main reasons behind this popularity is its simplicity in preparation and pleasing taste when eaten.

Is there another name for butter chicken? ›

Butter chicken, traditionally known as murgh makhani (pronounced [mʊrɣ ˈməkʰaːni]), is an Indian dish originating in Delhi. It is a type of curry made from chicken with a spiced tomato and butter (makhan) sauce. Its sauce is known for its rich texture.

Is korma or butter chicken better? ›

When it comes to the choice between Butter Chicken and Chicken Korma, it ultimately boils down to personal preference. Butter Chicken is the choice if you enjoy a creamy, tomato-based sauce with a sweet touch. Chicken Shahi Korma is the dish for you if you prefer a milder and nuttier savor with a rich, aromatic gravy.

Is butter chicken spicy or sweet? ›

Unlike most Indian curries where the preparation of the base starts with a blend of onion and a ginger garlic paste cooked in oil, butter chicken uses tomato as a base and is cooked in butter, giving it a slightly sweet flavor. Cashews and almonds add to the sweetness and richness of the dish.

Is chicken tikka masala spicy or not? ›

The degree of hotness in chicken tikka masala is medium type. But if you have not habit of eating the hot spices then it can become problem for you. Even in Garam Masala which contain the chilli contain too. But if you are going to prepare chicken tikka masala in your home you can avoid the chilli.

Is chicken tikka masala a real Indian dish? ›

Chicken tikka is an Indian dish. The masala sauce was added to satisfy the desire of British people to have their meat served in gravy.

Is tikka masala same as tandoori masala? ›

Each dish can have hundreds of variations of seasonings. Tandoori chicken is often marinated with lemon juice and yogurt in addition to various spices before being cooked at high heat, while 'Tikka' dishes are often chunks of meat in a spiced sauce (and thus more commonly called 'Tikka Masala').

What is another name for chicken tikka masala? ›

Like several other excellent things, chicken tikka masala is passionately debated and argued over. Some people speculate that it is the British version of a curry, while others are confident that it is simply the Indian-origin butter chicken by another name.

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