Chicken Tikka Masala vs. Butter Chicken
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A comparison and recipe guide for two iconic Indian dishes: Chicken Tikka Masala, which features a spicier, tomato-heavy sauce, and Butter Chicken, known for its creamy, buttery, and milder profile.
- Time
- 60 minutes
- Equipment
- Stovetop
- Good for
- Lunch or dinner
- Cuisine
- South Asian
- Contains
- Dairy
Diet and allergen details are read from the ingredient names and are not certified.
Ingredients
- 120 g
- 15 g
- 30 g
- 4 g
- 3 g
- 2 g
- 3 g
- 30 g
- 110 g
- 120 g
- 30 g
- 5 g
Weights are estimates. Together, the ingredients weigh about 1.57 kg before cooking, which is about 395 g per serving.
Steps
In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with yogurt, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste, 1 teaspoon of garam masala, turmeric, cumin, and chili powder. Marinate for at least 20 minutes.
Heat oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces in batches, cooking until browned on all sides. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
In the same pan, add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent and slightly golden, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the tomato sauce and add the remaining 1 teaspoon of garam masala. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
For Chicken Tikka Masala: Add the cooked chicken back into the tomato sauce and stir in the heavy cream. Simmer for another 5 minutes.
For Butter Chicken: Follow the same steps but increase the butter amount and ensure the sauce is blended until completely smooth before adding the chicken back in for a silkier texture.
Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot with naan or basmati rice.
Notes
The primary difference is that Tikka Masala uses a more intense tomato base and spices, while Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) relies on a higher fat content from butter and cream for a smoother, milder sauce.
Nutrition
These are estimates per serving, worked out from the ingredients.
- Calories
- 567
- Protein
- 56 g
- Carbs
- 14 g
- Fat
- 31 g
- Fiber
- 3 g
Where the calories come from
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