What makes these dishes distinct? The answer is in preparation, texture, and spice levels, as well as the differences in a dish's history. There are definitely some commonalities in ingredients and methods, but they lead to very different dining experiences.

What is Butter Chicken?

Butter chicken, or murgh makhani, is a creamy dish from the north of India. The cooked chicken is combined with a smooth tomato based gravy.

Butter chicken is made with all the components needed to create a luscious sauce that is not overly spiced. Spices provide the warmth to the dish, but the level of heat is not so high that it scares people.

With a smooth silky sauce and a slight sweetness from the tomatoes, there is no doubt butter chicken is a crowd pleasing dish.

What Is Chicken Tikka Masala?

Chicken Tikka Masala shares some preparation similarities in the use of a spiced tomato sauce. However, the manner in which the chicken is prepared is what really gives this dish its distinct character.

The chicken preparation requires a yogurt and spice marination and subsequent grill or oven roasting. This actually helps to form an outer charred crust that helps to seal in some of the smoky juices of the chicken before the chicken is further cooked in the sauce.

Tomato based gravies in this preparation also contain spices and onions, garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, and some form of red chili powder like paprika, garam masala, and a healthy serving of cream. This makes chicken tikka masala a robust curry with a strong smoky, charred texture.

The preparation of chicken tikka masala differs significantly from the preparation of butter chicken.

The actual origins of chicken tikka masala prove to be very surprising to many and are not as linear as many expect. It is a dish that almost defines and embodies the development of British-Indian cuisine.

The Huge Difference? The Flavors.

The flavors in this dish tell you everything. This curry is even better than butter chicken because it has oven smoked and charred chicken in it.

Most restaurants make their versions of butter chicken and chicken tikka masala.. There are some things that are usually different, between butter chicken and chicken tikka masala.

Butter chicken is usually:

• creamier

• smoother

• richer

• more buttery

• sweetened with a hint of sugar

• less spicy

Chicken tikka masala, on the other hand, is more:

• tomato based

• with more aromatics

• slightly tangy

• smokey

• spicier

As with most things, recipes and preparations change from eatery to eatery. In this case, some restaurants serve butter chicken that is rather spicy, and some restaurants make chicken tikka masala quite creamy and mild. That said, these descriptions are more in the spirit of typical elements and characteristics of these dishes rather than a hard and fast rule.

Butter chicken is chicken that has been marinated and then cooked along with a sauce. In cases restaurants marinate and cook the chicken in a tandoor, which gives it a slight char. This causes the chicken to brown a little. Have a mild char while the gravy remains the main part of the dish.

Chicken tikka masala puts the chicken in the spotlight more. It is grilled first which gives it browned areas and a slight char.

When you try butter chicken and chicken tikka masala you can see the difference between them. Butter chicken is usually very creamy. The flavors in butter chicken are all mixed together so you get a lot of flavors at the time.

On the hand chicken tikka masala is really different from butter chicken. The chicken in chicken tikka masala is cooked in a way that it gets charred. The sauce that comes with chicken tikka masala is spicy.

When you taste butter chicken and chicken tikka masala you can tell that they are not the same. Butter chicken has a taste. All the flavors in butter chicken are mixed together. It is hard to separate them. Chicken tikka masala is different because the chicken is charred and the sauce is spicy so you can really taste the chicken tikka masala sauce and the chicken, in chicken tikka masala.

Spice Similarities

Spice similarities bring out assumptions about how certain dishes might taste the same to some people, and this is understandable.

 Indian cooking has masalas as foundational seasonings to most dishes. The combinations of spices can be many, but the standard seasonings include Garam masala, cumin, coriander, ginger, garlic, and chili in butter chicken as well as Chicken Tikka masala.

For butter chicken, richness and smoothness is accentuated by the spices in harmony with tomatoes, butter, and cream. Chicken Tikka masala has the tomatoes and the grilled chicken and aromatics in focus.

Yes, two dishes made up of almost the same ingredients can still have a world of difference in tastes.

Which is Less Spicy?

Butter chicken should be your go-to if you have a sensitive palate for spice. The sauce in most restaurant versions is usually less intense and sweet with butter and cream to balance the spice. However, there are versions that can be spicy.

Chicken Tikka masala has more of a spicy profile, however, it's not always spicy. You can check on the spice level of different versions, as most restaurants will have an option to accommodate this preference.

What sides go well?

Indian breads and rice are great side options for both dishes.

Naan is a great side to any creamy curry. Garlic naan adds additional flavor, but plain naan keeps the focus on the curry. Like naan, rice is another simple side. However, basmati rice cuts some of the heaviness of the curry without overpowering the sauce.

For a larger group, ordering one butter chicken and one chicken tikka masala is a good option to try both. The richness of the butter chicken contrasts with the smokiness of the chicken tikka masala. The best thing about both dishes is the variety that is brought with each. There is a lot of contrast that is achieved through relatively simple adjustments. Butter chicken and chicken tikka masala are great examples of what you'll see on most Indian restaurant menus.

Want to know even more?

Curious about the flavors, ingredients, and preparation behind these popular dishes? Explore our detailed guide to learn more about butter chicken and chicken tikka masala, including what makes each one unique and which might be right for you.