Where Does 'Chicken Tikka Masala' Originate From?

Chicken tikka is chicken that has been cut in pieces, marinated in spices and yoghurt, and baked in an oven (traditionally a clay oven or tandoor, like tandoori chicken.) It probably originated in South India.

However, chicken tikka masala is quite a new dish. It actually first appeared in Britain, in the 1960s or possibly earlier, and was probably created by an Indian or Bangladeshi restaurant chef in response to Western tastes. In fact this dish in recent years overtook fish and chips as the UK's favourite meal. Masala means the addition of a tomato-based sauce to the chicken tikka.

There are many variations, but a masala sauce typically consists of tomatoes, yoghurt, coconut milk or cream, onion, clarified butter (ghee), coriander, chillies and various spices including garam masala. The sauce is usually cooked on the stove and the chicken is added to it after cooking. Traditional accompaniments include naan bread and sweet chutney.