Difference between tikka masala & butter masala (2024)

Chicken Tikka Masala vsButter Chicken are two of the most well-known recipes. Both are delicious meals made up of tender chicken pieces and an incredibly creamy sauce. While these two recipes are similar, they also have notable distinctions.

Difference between tikka masala & butter masala (2)

This article will walk you through how to order the different kinds of chicken tikka masala and give you suggestions on what to order at some of the best Indian restaurants in town.

What Is Tikka Masala?

Difference between tikka masala & butter masala (3)

Tikka masala, a popular Indian dish in India and abroad, is made with chicken tikka—pieces of chicken marinated in spices (including chili powder, cumin, coriander), grilled or broiled—that are then stewed in a creamy tomato-based sauce.

While it's often thought that tikka masala originated in Britain, it has its roots in Northern India, where it was created to use up leftover pieces of chicken after preparing Tandoori chicken.

What Is Butter Chicken?

Difference between tikka masala & butter masala (4)

Tikka masala became popular in America as butter chicken after Indian restaurants began serving it with a side of white rice instead of basmati. The dish doesn't always include chicken, but it's called chicken-tikka or chicken-curry when it does. Tikka means pieces in Hindi, referring to all the large chunks of boneless meat found in butter chicken.

Tikka Masala vs Butter Chicken : Differences

Thoughchicken tikka masalaand butter chicken seem similar in both name and presentation, they're quite different and there is always a competition between tikka masala vs butter chicken. Butter chicken is not chicken tikka masala. They are two completely different dishes altogether.

While both are creamy curries with chicken as their main ingredient, butter chicken typically has more cream added to it than its spicy cuisine. Where tikka masala tends to be on the spicier side, a classic recipe for butter chicken calls for milder spices like ginger and garlic and can include ingredients like cashews for texture.

Factors of differences

Color

To understand the difference between tikka masala vs butter chicken, one must first understand the variations between tikka and butter chicken. Chicken tikka can be made either in a spicy or mild version, and both versions are red. On the other hand, the butter chicken is white and contains cream or milk (hence, the butter) as an ingredient to get that creamy texture.

Taste

Butter chicken is mildly spiced, whereas tikka masala has more of a kick. Chicken in tikka masala sauce tends to be more tender and juicy than butter chicken due to its marinade-containing yogurt. Butter chicken also tends to have a creamier texture. Both are tasty in their own right—it just depends on what you're craving! Try mixing them up if you want an exciting twist on your taste buds.

Sweetness

Butter chicken tends to be creamier and sweeter than chicken curry, with heavier spices. On the other hand, Tikka masala tends to focus more on heat and spice. The two dishes often use similar ingredients: tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, and different types of chilies—but they're not quite interchangeable.

Chicken

While there are different variations of chicken-curry, chicken-tikka, and chicken-tikka masala in India, they revolve around a similar idea. Chicken is a protein source in an Indian curry dish.

Tikka refers to grilled or roasted pieces of meat that are either marinated in yogurt or spiced water before being cooked on skewers. Masala refers to a sauce made with cream, yogurt, or tomatoes; or a mixture of spices used to flavor food.

But, Butter Chicken is usually made with breast meat, whereas Tikka Masala can use any type of chicken. In Butter Chicken, for example, the chicken is usually shredded. Prepared using the tandoor, this dish is cut into nugget-sized pieces.

Spiciness

One way to tell whether a dish is a chicken-tikka masala or chicken tikka butter masala is to look at its spiciness. Chicken-tikka masalas tend to be quite spicy, whereas chicken-tikka butter is not as spicy. Also, since there's no cream in these curries, they don't have that rich buttery taste that comes with those dishes.

Micronutrients in Each Dish

The main ingredient of chicken-tikka masala—chicken—is a good source of niacin, vitamin B6, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, and iron. The chicken itself doesn't provide much in terms of micronutrients. Rather it's prepared with other ingredients that add a lot of important vitamins and minerals to your meal.

For example, chicken-tikka masala is often served with naan (which contains thiamine), spinach (iron), tomatoes (vitamin C), and onions (vitamin C). Butter chicken tends to be served with garlic naan (thiamine) or rice pilaf (zinc). So when you order chicken-tikka masala or butter chicken, you're getting a nutrient boost from those delicious sides!

Which Dish Is Healthier?

However, when it comes to health, it's hard to beat chicken. Both of these dishes have a lot of saturated fat—but in general, chicken dishes will be better for you than those made with other meats.

Chicken tikka masala has more protein and less fat (7 grams) than chicken curry (4 grams) because chicken curry contains ghee or oil, whereas chicken-tikka masala does not. And that probably explains why people like it so much!

Ingredients

One key ingredient of the butter chicken sauce is butter, while chicken tikka masala main ingredients rely on tomatoes. But you don't want to mix the two up. The first dish includes tomatoes. Indeed, both dishes have ingredients in common like ginger, pepper, garlic, masala, garam, tomato paste, onion, cream, yogurt, and chicken.

For example, tikka masala usually has more tomatoes and spices, whereas other cuisines may contain more butter, cumin, and spices.

Conclusion

Tikka Masala is a curry dish served in a brown or spicy red sauce that originated in South Asia. On the other hand, butter chicken has a creamy tomato-based sauce with shredded chicken or cubes of chicken breast pieces. It originates from Punjabi cuisine but is popular across India.

Both Tikka Masala and Butter Chicken are the best Indian dishes to try and are common Indian dishes that go well with naan (Indian flatbread). However, there are differences in both preparation methods and taste.

Difference between tikka masala & butter masala (2024)

FAQs

Difference between tikka masala & butter masala? ›

Butter chicken is made with a mix of spices that typically includes garam masala, ginger, garlic, chili powder, and turmeric. It also contains cream, butter, and tomato puree. On the other hand, Tikka masala contains a blend of spices that typically includes cumin, coriander, paprika, and garam masala.

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

Taste. Butter chicken is mildly spiced, whereas tikka masala has more of a kick. Chicken in tikka masala sauce tends to be more tender and juicy than butter chicken due to its marinade-containing yogurt. Butter chicken also tends to have a creamier texture.

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

Butter chicken is usually made with chicken that has been marinating and grilled in a creamy tomato sauce that usually has butter and cream in it. Tika masala, on the other hand, is chicken that has been marinated and cooked in a spiced tomato-based sauce that may also have cream or yogurt in it.

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

Although it uses a few other spices, this Indian curry dish uses curry, just like butter chicken. Specifically, chilli powder is listed among the components in chicken tikka masala. Despite having tomatoes, cream, or butter as its main ingredients, these and a few other spices can give chicken tikka a spicier kick.

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

Tikka masala is pieces of meat or chicken marinated with spices, whereas garam masala is the term used for 'hot spices' that are not spicy but can keep the body warm. Garam masala powders may contain chilli and peppers, although they can be aromatic but are not spicy.

Which is hotter chicken tikka or chicken tikka masala? ›

This ingredient is added in abundance to make the tomato sauce creamier and lend a certain sweetness to the palate. Chicken tikka masala is the spicier variant, carrying more nuanced flavors.

What does tikka masala mean in English? ›

/ˌtɪkə məˈsɑːlə/ [uncountable, countable] ​(in British cooking) a mild Indian-style dish made with pieces of meat, usually chicken, cooked in a sauce with cream and spices.

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 Indian 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 vindaloo better than tikka masala? ›

Vindaloo is known for its spicy and tangy profile, often made with vinegar and hot spices. Tikka Masala, on the other hand, has a creamy tomato-based sauce with milder spices, resulting in a rich and mildly spiced flavor. Your preference depends on your taste for spice and degree of creaminess.

What came first butter chicken or tikka masala? ›

However, Tikka Masala itself is a much more modern dish. Most stories agree that a Bangladeshi chef in Britain developed the recipe by taking Butter Chicken and making it more palatable to British tastes. It became such a hit that the dish was crowned as Britain's national dish!

Is butter chicken just tikka masala with cream? ›

While both dishes are creamy and flavorful, butter chicken is generally milder in spice level and has a sweeter taste due to the addition of butter and cream. Chicken tikka masala, on the other hand, is typically spicier and has a tangier taste due to the addition of vinegar or lemon juice.

Is chicken tikka masala Indian or British? ›

He even offered his own simplified explanation of how the entrée evolved: “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 or butter masala better? ›

For this matter, the better choice would be depending on your preferences. If you don't have a problem with spices and the kick that come with it, you should try tikka masala. On the other hand, if you enjoy a creamy curry with a less intense spice flavor, the best option is butter chicken.

What is better than tikka masala? ›

1. Rajma masala. Rajma masala is a simple but beloved Punjabi dish made with red kidney beans cooked in a spicy tomato and onion sauce with a few spices. This creamy and warming dish is perfect for wintertime and is best paired with chawal (rice) or chapati (unleavened flatbread).

What's the difference between chicken marsala and chicken tikka masala? ›

Unlike Chicken Marsala, which is named after the wine used in the recipe, Chicken Tikka Masala is a dish that consists of chunks of marinated chicken enveloped in a creamy, heavily-spiced, tomato-based curry sauce. It owes its name to that heavily-spiced sauce, as masala is an Indian term for a mixture of spices.

Does chicken tikka masala taste like curry? ›

Chicken Tikka Masala is a flavorful and aromatic curry dish that originated in the Indian subcontinent.

What is butter chicken called in India? ›

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.

What is chicken tikka masala made of? ›

Chicken tikka masala is a dish consisting of roasted marinated chicken chunks (chicken tikka) in a spiced sauce. The sauce is usually creamy and orange-coloured. The dish was popularised by cooks from India living in Great Britain and is offered at restaurants around the world.

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