Butter Chicken vs Tikka Masala
Confused about the difference between Butter Chicken and Tikka Masala? Our expert guide will help you understand the key differences in ingredients, preparation, and flavor profile between these two popular Indian dishes. Learn which one to choose based on your taste preferences and get tips for making them at home.
| Butter Chicken vs Tikka Masala |
Butter chicken and chicken tikka masala are both popular North Indian dishes that are often served in Indian restaurants around the world. While they share some similarities, there are some key differences between the two dishes.
Butter chicken, also known as Murgh Makhani, is a creamy and mildly spiced dish made with boneless chicken that has been marinated in yogurt and spices before being cooked in a tomato-based sauce that has been enriched with butter and cream. The dish is often garnished with chopped cilantro and served with naan bread or rice.
Chicken tikka masala, on the other hand, is made with grilled or roasted chicken tikka that has been simmered in a creamy and spiced tomato-based sauce. The dish has a slightly tangy and spicy flavor and is often garnished with fresh cilantro and served with naan bread or rice.
While the two dishes share some similarities in terms of the use of chicken and creamy sauces, butter chicken tends to be milder and creamier, while chicken tikka masala has a slightly tangier and spicier flavor profile. Additionally, the preparation methods for the chicken differ, with butter chicken using boneless chicken and chicken tikka masala using grilled or roasted chicken tikka.
10 Differences Between Butter Chicken and Chicken Tikka Masala:
- Origin: Butter chicken originated in the Indian city of Delhi, while chicken tikka masala is said to have originated in the UK.
- Preparation: Butter chicken is made by cooking marinated boneless chicken in a creamy tomato-based sauce, while chicken tikka masala is made by simmering grilled or roasted chicken tikka in a spiced tomato-based sauce.
- Chicken: Butter chicken uses boneless chicken pieces, while chicken tikka masala uses chicken that has been marinated and grilled or roasted before being added to the sauce.
- Spice Level: Butter chicken is generally milder in spice level than chicken tikka masala, which has a slightly tangier and spicier flavor profile.
- Cream: Butter chicken uses more cream than chicken tikka masala, which gives it a creamier and richer texture.
- Color: Butter chicken is more orange in color, while chicken tikka masala is redder in color.
- Cooking Method: Butter chicken is generally cooked on a stovetop, while chicken tikka masala is often cooked in a tandoor or grill before being added to the sauce.
- Garnish: Butter chicken is often garnished with fresh cream, while chicken tikka masala is often garnished with fresh cilantro.
- Flavor: Butter chicken has a smoother and more buttery flavor, while chicken tikka masala has a slightly smoky and spicy flavor.
- Origin of Ingredients: Butter chicken uses more traditional Indian ingredients like kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves) and garam masala, while chicken tikka masala uses more British ingredients like cream and tomato sauce.
Butter Chicken and Tikka Masala Recipes
Butter Chicken Recipe
Here is an authentic and unique recipe for Butter Chicken that you can follow step by step:
Time and Serves for Butter Chicken
The time and serves for Butter Chicken can vary depending on the recipe and serving size. Here is a general guideline:
- Preparation time: 15-20 minutes
- Marinating time: 1-2 hours (optional)
- Cooking time: 30-40 minutes
- Serves: 4-6
Total time: 1 hour and 30-60 minutes
This recipe typically serves 4-6 people and takes about 1 hour and 30-60 minutes to prepare and cook, including marinating time. However, the serving size and total time may vary depending on the specific recipe and cooking method used. It is always recommended to check the recipe for specific instructions on preparation and serving sizes.
Ingredients for Butter Chicken Recipe
- 500g boneless chicken, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp garam masala powder
- Salt, to taste
- 2 tbsp ghee or clarified butter
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1-inch ginger, grated
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh coriander leaves
For the Marinade:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the yogurt, turmeric powder, red chili powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, and salt. Mix well to form a smooth and consistent marinade.
- Add the boneless chicken pieces to the marinade and make sure that all the chicken pieces are well coated with the marinade. Using your hands to mix the chicken and marinade together can help ensure that each piece of chicken is evenly coated.
- Cover the mixing bowl with cling film or a lid and refrigerate the marinated chicken for at least 1 hour. This will allow the flavors of the marinade to penetrate the chicken and make it more flavorful.
- Marinating the chicken is an essential step in making Butter Chicken, as it not only imparts flavor to the chicken but also helps to tenderize it. The longer you marinate the chicken, the more flavorful and tender it will be. You can even marinate the chicken overnight for the best results.
- Once the chicken is marinated, you can proceed to cook the Butter Chicken using the instructions provided in the previous steps. Enjoy your delicious homemade Butter Chicken!
For the Butter Chicken:
- In a large frying pan, heat the ghee and oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the finely chopped onion and sauté until it turns translucent, which should take about 5 minutes. Be sure to stir the onions occasionally to prevent them from burning.
- Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the frying pan and sauté for another 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently. The garlic and ginger will release their aromas and flavors, which will enhance the taste of the Butter Chicken.
- Add the chopped tomatoes to the frying pan and stir well. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the tomatoes are soft and mushy. Stir occasionally to ensure that the tomatoes do not stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Add the marinated chicken pieces to the frying pan and stir well to coat the chicken with the onion-tomato mixture. Cook the chicken for 10-12 minutes, or until it is cooked through. You can check if the chicken is cooked by cutting it into one piece to see if it is white and cooked all the way through.
- Once the chicken is cooked, pour the heavy cream and stir well to combine. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Once the Butter Chicken is cooked to your desired consistency, turn off the heat and garnish with chopped fresh coriander leaves. The coriander leaves will add a fresh and aromatic flavor to the Butter Chicken.
- Your delicious Butter Chicken is now ready to be served! Serve it hot with steamed rice or naan bread.
Butter Chicken is a classic Indian dish that is rich, creamy, and full of flavor. This recipe is perfect for a cozy night in or for impressing guests at a dinner party. Enjoy!
Nutritional Value of Butter Chicken
The nutritional value of Butter Chicken can vary depending on the specific recipe and ingredients used. However, here is a general breakdown of the approximate nutritional values per serving (based on a typical recipe serving size of 1 cup or 240 grams):
- Calories: 450-550
- Total fat: 25-35g
- Saturated fat: 10-15g
- Cholesterol: 90-120mg
- Sodium: 400-700mg
- Total carbohydrates: 10-15g
- Dietary fiber: 1-2g
- Sugars: 4-6g
- Protein: 35-40g
Butter Chicken is a rich and flavorful dish that is typically high in calories, fat, and sodium due to the use of butter, cream, and spices. It is also a good source of protein. To make a healthier version, consider using less butter and cream, and adding more vegetables like bell peppers and spinach. Additionally, serving it with whole-grain rice or bread can provide more dietary fiber.
Chicken Tikka Recipe
Here's a step-by-step Process for Making Chicken Tikka Recipe:
- Preparation time: 15-20 minutes
- Marinating time: 2-3 hours or overnight
- Cooking time: 10-15 minutes
- Total time: 2 hours 30 minutes to 15 hours 15 minutes (including marinating time)
- Serves: 4-6 people (depending on serving size)
Ingredients:
- 500g boneless chicken (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tbsp ginger garlic paste
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp oil
- Skewers
For garnish:
- Lemon wedges
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions:
- Start by cleaning and cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Make sure to remove any excess fat or skin from the chicken.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the yogurt, ginger garlic paste, lemon juice, red chili powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala, and salt to taste. Mix well until the marinade is smooth and all the spices are evenly distributed.
- Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and mix well, making sure each piece is coated evenly. You can use your hands to massage the marinade into the chicken for the best results.
- Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours, or overnight for best results. This allows the flavors to penetrate the chicken and makes it more tender.
- When you are ready to cook, soak the skewers in water for about 30 minutes to prevent them from burning. This is an important step as it prevents the skewers from catching fire while cooking.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat up a grill. If you are using an oven, place a wire rack on top of a baking sheet and lightly grease it with oil.
- Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving a little space between each piece. This allows the chicken to cook evenly and ensures that each piece gets a nice char.
- Brush the chicken pieces with oil and place them on the preheated grill or in the oven. If using an oven, place the skewers on the wire rack and bake for 10-15 minutes, turning them occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and has a nice golden color. If using a grill, cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side until cooked through.
- Once done, remove the skewers from the heat and let them rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to settle and keeps the chicken moist.
- Serve the chicken tikka hot, garnished with lemon wedges and chopped cilantro. You can also serve it with a side of naan bread or rice for a complete meal.
- Enjoy your delicious and flavorful chicken tikka!
Nutritional Value of Chicken Tikka
The nutritional value of chicken tikka can vary depending on the recipe and ingredients used. However, here is a general nutritional breakdown for 1 serving (3-4 skewers or 6-8 pieces) of chicken tikka made with boneless chicken breast and the traditional yogurt-based marinade:
- Calories: 250-300
- Protein: 25-30 grams
- Fat: 12-15 grams
- Carbohydrates: 5-10 grams
- Fiber: 1-2 grams
- Sugar: 2-3 grams
- Sodium: 400-500 milligrams
Please note that the nutritional values may vary depending on the specific ingredients used and the serving size. It is always recommended to check the nutritional information on the packaging of the ingredients used and adjust the serving size accordingly.
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