In Western countries, there is a culture of consuming non-veg and seafood over vegetarian food options. Their priority goes to non-vegetarian dishes. India’s wide variety of flavours is enough to satisfy different taste buds. Among all the Indian cuisines, the most preferred dish by Western people is Chicken Tikka Masala. This could be because of many reasons. Chicken tikka is loved by everyone all over the world, which leads to its extreme popularity. Its versatile taste of creaminess, sourness, and tanginess brings out lots of flavours at once. Chicken Tikka masala is especially popular in the UK and the USA, based on its popularity in restaurant menus and supermarket ready meals. Let’s discuss in detail the reason behind chicken tikka masala being so popular in Western countries in this blog.
Why Is Chicken Tikka Masala So Popular?
Its massive popularity lies in its perfect combination of spice, comfort and flavour. Like other Indian traditional curries, it is not extremely spicy or has a complex flavour. It is designed to be mildly spiced, sweet and creamy. It features roasted marinated chicken pieces in a thick tomato and cream-based gravy. This combination makes it perfect for people who are new to Indian cuisine and have no tolerance for spicy food. It was most popularly liked by the British in Western countries. The main reasons behind it being so popular are the following:
- The Comfort Food Factor: It is an all-time favourite dish because of its soothing and warm flavours. It acts as a perfect warm comfort food on a cold day. Its rich, velvety texture provides a satisfying factor, and it is most often eaten with naan bread. The naan bread soaks up the gravy of the chicken tikka masala and provides a perfect, delightful combination.
- Familiarity and versatility: The smoky flavour of the charred chicken, which looks similar to the BBQ chicken, brings familiarity to the Western-cultured chicken dishes. The charred chicken, when paired with the creamy sauce, is a perfect blend of exotic and versatile flavours. Its versatility to be paired with so many dishes makes it extremely popular among Western people.
- Historical and cultural ties: There is a long historical connection between the UK and India, which resulted in the massive spread of people from both countries. This spread results in bringing thousands of curry houses to Britain. These restaurants were often run by Punjabi or Bangladeshi immigrants who refined dishes like Tikka masala and Butter Chicken to make them popular in Britain. From here, these dishes spread all over Britain and slowly became popular in other Western countries also.
Conclusion
Chicken Tikka Masala is definitely accepted as a champion of Indian curry in Western countries because it successfully bridges two culinary worlds. By combining authentic Indian spices and smoky tandoori cooking with a creamy tomato-based gravy, it becomes especially tailored to Western taste buds. It provides an unforgettable experience for anyone trying Indian cuisine. Its immense popularity, especially in countries like Australia and the USA, has made it a solid status as a comforting and Anglo-Indian dish. At our restaurant, Crown Indian Cuisine Windang, we ensure that you experience the most authentic taste of Indian curries. The flavour will give you a complete experience of an original Indian restaurant, along with the special touch provided by our expert, Mr. Sandeep, for the recipes of Indian cuisine.
FAQs
- Was chicken tikka masala invented in India?
No, it was invented in Britain during the spread of Britain and India. It is actually a British and Indian fusion dish.
- What is the major difference between Chicken tikka and chicken tikka masala?
Chicken tikka is a dried chicken recipe in which the chicken is just grilled, whereas chicken tikka masala is a gravy-based dish. Chicken tikka masala holds the gravy of tomatoes and a creamy paste of cashew sauce.
