Butter Chicken VS Tikka Masala: Differences
Despite their similar names and appearance, Chicken Tikka Masala and Butter Chicken are distinct dishes that are often compared to each other. While both feature chicken as the primary ingredient and a creamy curry sauce, they differ significantly in taste and ingredients.
Butter Chicken typically contains more cream than its spicier counterpart, and the recipe often calls for milder spices like ginger and garlic, with the addition of cashews for texture. In contrast, Chicken Tikka Masala has a spicier flavour profile.
Factors Of Differences
Colour
To understand the difference between Chicken Tikka Masala and Butter Chicken, it is essential to comprehend the differences between Chicken Tikka and Butter Chicken. Tikka masala can be prepared with either mild or spicy seasoning, and both varieties are characterised by their reddish colour. In contrast, Butter Chicken has a creamy, white colour due to the addition of cream or milk, which gives it its distinctive smooth texture.
Taste
Butter Chicken is a subtly spiced dish, while Chicken Tikka Masala is known for its spicier flavour. Chicken cooked in the marinade for Tikka Masala is typically more succulent and tender than in Butter Chicken due to the addition of yoghourt. Butter Chicken has a creamier texture than Tikka Masala. Both dishes are delicious in their own way, and choosing between them depends on your personal taste preference. If you want an exciting twist on your taste buds, try combining them for a unique culinary experience!
Sweetness
Compared to traditional chicken curry, Butter Chicken typically boasts a creamier and sweeter flavour profile, accentuated with stronger spices. Conversely, Chicken Tikka Masala tends to emphasise its spiciness and heat. Although both dishes share common ingredients such as onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and various chillies, they cannot be substituted for each other due to their distinct taste differences.
Chicken
In India, there are various versions of chicken curry, chicken tikka masala, and chicken tikka, but they all share a common concept: utilising chicken as a protein source in an Indian curry dish. The term “tikka” refers to meat pieces that are grilled or roasted, which are typically marinated in spiced water or yoghurt or and then cooked on skewers. “Masala” describes a sauce made with cream, yoghurt, or tomatoes, or a blend of spices that add flavour to food.
However, there are differences between Butter Chicken and Tikka Masala. Butter Chicken usually features breast meat that is shredded, while Tikka Masala can use any type of chicken. This dish is typically prepared using the tandoor, and the chicken is cut into nugget-sized pieces.
Spiciness
To distinguish between chicken-tikka masala and chicken-tikka butter masala, you can consider their level of spiciness. Typically, chicken-tikka masala has a high level of spiciness, while chicken-tikka butter masala is less spicy.
Micronutrients In Each Dish
Chicken is the primary ingredient in chicken-tikka masala and is a notable source of niacin, magnesium, vitamin B6, zinc, phosphorus, and iron. However, the chicken itself doesn’t provide significant micronutrients. Instead, the dish is typically prepared with other ingredients that offer essential vitamins and minerals to the meal.
For instance, chicken-tikka masala is often accompanied by sides like naan (which contains thiamine), tomatoes (vitamin C), spinach (iron), and onions (vitamin C). Similarly, butter chicken is often served with rice pilaf (zinc) or garlic naan (thiamine). Thus, when you order butter chicken or chicken-tikka masala, you’re not only savouring a delicious meal but also receiving a nutrient boost from these nutritious side dishes.
Which Dish Is Healthier?
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. The reason behind this difference is that butter chicken typically includes oil or clarified butter (also known as ghee), but chicken tikka masala does not. It is likely that this nutritional advantage is why chicken tikka masala is so popular among people.
Ingredients
The main ingredient of the butter chicken sauce is butter, whereas chicken tikka masala depends heavily on tomatoes. It’s important not to confuse the two. Although both dishes share several ingredients, such as ginger, garlic, pepper, garam masala, tomato paste, cream, onion, yoghurt, and chicken, there are differences in their preparation. For instance, chicken tikka masala typically has a higher proportion of tomatoes and spices, while other variations may incorporate more cumin, butter, and spices.
Tikka Masala and Butter Chicken are two popular Indian dishes that pair perfectly with naan, an Indian flatbread. While Tikka Masala is a curry dish with origins in South Asia, served in a brown or spicy red sauce, Butter Chicken has its roots in Punjabi cuisine and boasts a creamy tomato-based sauce with either shredded chicken or cubes of chicken breast pieces.
Although both dishes are must-tries for Indian cuisine enthusiasts, their preparation methods and flavours differ.
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