What To Serve With Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken tikka masala is surely one of the most popular and well loved curries that many of us enjoy on a weekly basis!
It’s the kind of dish that you can be sure will be a hit with the whole family, with the creamy sauce being mild but never lacking in flavour.
Interestingly, there are varying theories on the exact origin of the chicken tikka masala.
Though food historians typically agree that it was first created in the UK by the South Asian community, there’s no definitive answer to exactly who cooked it first, or where and why!
Research from foodies and journalists in the past has suggested that it’s likely that the dish was created in 1970s London by an innovative chef who used a tin of Campbell’s tomato soup to achieve that rich red colour and earthy tomatoey taste.
But when you have it on your meal plan for the coming week, you may be thinking about what to serve with chicken tikka masala.
It’s certainly true that picking the right accompaniments in an important part of any Indian inspired dining experience, and you might be a little unsure about what will work best.
Here are the very best side dishes for chicken tikka masala…
1. Poppadoms and a pickle tray
This is often my favourite part of any Indian meal!
Before the main courses are served (or if you’re the cook, then when you’re finalising the final bits and bobs in the kitchen), it’s so pleasurable to enjoy light, crisp poppadoms with an Indian beer and a selection of pickles and condiments.
You can make your own poppadoms if you’re in the mood for a challenge, though you’ll find decent ready made varieties in most supermarkets these days.
Lime pickle, mango chutney, raita, and fresh onion salad are the ideal accompaniments, and again, you can decide to make your own or take a little shortcut.
Your guests will only know if you tell them!
2. Garlic and coriander naan bread
When you’re planning what to serve with chicken tikka masala, I highly recommend adding garlic and coriander naan breads to your list.
They’re perfect for mopping up that rich curry sauce, and you can just chuck them in the middle of the table and invite everyone to help themselves.
Try to plan the timings of your meal so you’re serving your naan breads hot.
This way they’ll be super fresh, light, and pillowy.
3. Oven baked onion bhajis
Onion bhajis should be considered an essential for what to serve with chicken tikka masala!
In India, bhajis are considered to be a popular teatime treat, and they’re often given to house guests as a welcoming snack.
In Western restaurants though, they’re more commonly served as a starter or accompaniment to a curry, with a salad garnish and a wedge of lemon.
My oven baked onion bhajis are healthier than a deep fried option, and are never greasy like you can sometimes find with restaurant and takeaway offerings.
4. Bombay potatoes
Bombay potatoes – also known as Bombay aloo – is a dry Indian potato dish, usually made by frying potatoes in fragrant and aromatic spices, with a little turmeric added to give that beautiful golden yellow colouring.
My Bombay potatoes recipe creates a side dish that will rival your local takeaway, and show you that you really can make authentic, delicious Indian food at home, without obscure ingredients or a load of time on your hands.
5. Cumin paneer salad
This vegetarian recipe for cumin paneer salad can be thrown together in just half an hour, and it’s one of those dishes that works just as well as a main course as it does a side dish.
It’s a great option for what to serve with chicken tikka masala if you like your salads with a bit of a bite.
If you haven’t tried cooking with paneer before, this dish will help you to discover just how delicious and versatile it is.
It’s often known as Indian cottage cheese, and though it’s easy to find in most large supermarkets, it can be substituted for halloumi in a pinch.
(For more inspiration for your next Indian fakeaway night, take a look at what to serve with tandoori chicken).
6. Turmeric basmati rice
Basmati is a fragrant, aromatic long grain rice that is the perfect accompaniment to any Indian curry.
This turmeric rice recipe brightens up any curry night that you might be hosting, and it requires ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen.
A quick tip… Be careful when you’re cooking with turmeric. It will easily stain clothing and porous surfaces!
7. Ghee roasted potatoes
If you’ve never tried roasting potatoes in ghee, you’re in for a real treat! I believe Indian clarified butter is one of the best kept secrets when it comes to the perfect potatoes, and you’ll be seriously impressed by all the crispy golden bits.
This ghee potatoes recipe is easy to follow, and it can be served with curry or even a traditional Sunday lunch.
8. Vegetable samosas
Making your own veggie samosas is loads of fun, and it’s the kind of cooking activity that kids will love getting involved with!
If you want to use readymade wrappers instead of making your own samosa pastry, you’ll likely be able to find these at your local Indian supermarket or greengrocers. Alternatively, you can use spring onion wrappers.
9. Aloo gobi
Aloo gobi translates to potatoes and cauliflower, and this tasty vegetable side dish for chicken tikka masala is filling, comforting, and full of authentic Indian flavours.
Be sure to garnish with plenty of chopped fresh coriander.
Many people eat aloo gobi as a main course, like a curry, with some basmati rice and naan bread. Why not make an extra few portions and pop them in the freezer? This way, you’ll have a couple of quick and tasty midweek meals waiting for you!
10. Fried okra
Fried okra isn’t a side dish that we’re particularly familiar with here in the UK, but it’s a delicious what to get some veggies into your meal and expand your culinary horizons! Okra can be found in a lot of large supermarkets and Asian greengrocers, so you won’t have to look too far to pick some up.
Okra is sweet, mild, and grassy, and its taste is often compared to being somewhere between green beans and aubergine.
FAQs about serving and enjoying chicken tikka masala
How hot is chicken tikka masala?
Chicken tikka masala is a very mild dish. Of course, everyone has a different tolerance to spice and different opinions on what exactly would be classed as ‘hot’, but it’s certainly one of the mildest dishes that you’ll find in most curry houses.
Most recipes don’t in fact include chilli, though chilli can be found in garam masala which is often listed as an ingredient.
Of course, when you’re cooking your curry at home, you can adjust things based on your personal tastes. Add fresh chilli if you like it hot, or add a cooling yoghurt raita to the table so everyone can help themselves.
Why is my chicken tikka masala red?
Depending on the exact recipe that’s used, chicken tikka masala is usually somewhere between orange and a deep, vibrant red colour. Restaurants and takeaways will often add a little food colouring to get that red hue.
What kind of wine goes with chicken tikka masala?
Chardonnay and sauvignon blanc are great choices of wine for chicken tikka masala, and work well with the creamy, milder sauce.
Is chicken tikka masala keto friendly?
Chicken tikka masala can be keto friendly, though of course it’ll depend on the recipe used and the exact ingredients. Generally speaking, it doesn’t include common non-keto ingredients like sugar and sweetener. Thanks to the chicken, it’s high in protein.
