Chicken tikka masala, main dish from the United Kingdom: what it is and how it is eaten

Chicken tikka masala is a curry of roasted marinated chicken pieces served in a creamy, spiced sauce. Created in Britain by South Asian chefs, it combines chicken tikka with a tomato and cream-based masala. It is a main course, often eaten with rice or flatbread, and is now popular in restaurants worldwide.

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Created by South Asian chefs in Britain in the 1960s
Boneless chicken is marinated, roasted, and served in a creamy tomato sauce
No single standard recipe; ingredients and style vary widely
Named a 'true British national dish' by a UK Foreign Secretary
Inspired by Indian chicken tikka and similar to butter chicken

What is Chicken tikka masala?

Chicken tikka masala is a curry featuring boneless chicken pieces that have been marinated in yogurt and spices, then roasted, often in a tandoor oven. The cooked chicken is served in a creamy, spiced sauce, usually based on tomato and cream, with additions like onion, ginger, garlic, and chili. The sauce is typically bright in color and may be garnished with coriander leaves. The dish is known for its rich, mildly spicy flavor and smooth texture. There is no single standard recipe, and versions can vary widely.

Where does Chicken tikka masala come from?

The dish is widely believed to have been created in Britain by South Asian chefs, with some stories linking its invention to Glasgow in the 1960s. Competing claims exist, but most agree it was developed by Bangladeshi or British Pakistani restaurateurs to suit local tastes. Its roots draw on chicken tikka, a Mughal-era Indian dish of marinated, grilled chicken, but the addition of a creamy sauce is a British adaptation. Some suggest it was inspired by or adapted from butter chicken, a North Indian dish.

How is Chicken tikka masala made?

To make chicken tikka masala, chicken pieces are first marinated in yogurt mixed with spices such as ginger, garlic, and chili, then roasted or grilled. The sauce is prepared separately, often starting with onions fried in oil, followed by ginger, garlic, tomatoes, and a blend of spices. Cream, yogurt, or sometimes coconut is added to enrich the sauce. The cooked chicken is combined with the sauce and simmered briefly before serving. There is no fixed recipe, and ingredients or proportions may change from one kitchen to another.

Chicken tikka with green chutney. Photo: Divya4232, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How and when is Chicken tikka masala eaten?

Chicken tikka masala is usually eaten as a main course for lunch or dinner. It is commonly served with rice, such as basmati, or with flatbreads like naan. The dish is a staple in British Indian restaurants and is also found in restaurants worldwide. It is enjoyed both as a dine-in meal and as a takeaway or ready meal from supermarkets. Vegetarian versions use paneer cheese instead of chicken. The dish is not tied to any particular festival or religious occasion and is eaten year-round.

Kinds of Chicken tikka masala

There are many versions of chicken tikka masala, with differences in the sauce's thickness, color, and ingredients. Some recipes use coconut, while others add ground almonds or extra cream. Vegetarian alternatives substitute paneer for chicken. The dish has also inspired fusion foods, such as chicken tikka masala pizza and tacos. In India, it is seen as a novelty and sometimes used as a pizza topping. The lack of a standard recipe means each restaurant may offer its own take.

What Chicken tikka masala means

Chicken tikka masala has become a symbol of multicultural Britain, often called a 'British national dish.' Its creation reflects the blending of South Asian and British tastes and histories. The dish has sparked debates about authenticity and cultural ownership, with some viewing it as inauthentic and others as a positive example of cultural exchange. Despite its contested origins, it remains one of the most popular dishes in the UK and is widely recognized around the world.

Questions people ask about Chicken tikka masala

What is chicken tikka masala made of?

It is made from boneless chicken pieces marinated in yogurt and spices, roasted, and served in a creamy, spiced sauce that usually contains tomato, onion, cream, ginger, garlic, and chili.

Where did chicken tikka masala originate?

Chicken tikka masala was created in Britain by South Asian chefs, most likely in the 1960s. Glasgow and London are both linked to its invention, but its exact origin is debated.

How is chicken tikka masala different from butter chicken?

Both dishes feature chicken in a creamy tomato-based sauce, but chicken tikka masala was developed in Britain and often uses roasted chicken tikka, while butter chicken comes from northern India and has its own distinct preparation.

Is there a vegetarian version of chicken tikka masala?

Yes, a vegetarian version replaces the chicken with paneer, a type of Indian cheese, marinated and cooked in the same style.

How is chicken tikka masala usually served?

It is typically served hot as a main dish, accompanied by rice or flatbreads like naan, and is popular in restaurants and as a ready meal.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Chicken tikka masala", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Chicken tikka masala