Does Chicken Tikka Masala Have Gluten? (& Authentic Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe)

Indian food is a widely consumed meal that is nutrient-dense and flavorful. It is the most sought-after food because of the rich curries and spices.

If you’ve never had Indian food before, it can be exhilarating to venture outside of your comfort zone and experience a new cuisine, but if you’re trying to avoid gluten, it might make you feel uneasy. Thankfully, most Indian cuisine is naturally gluten-free because it emphasises beans and legumes like lentils and chickpeas, as well as meats, vegetables, and grains as main ingredients. The most popular Indian dishes in the world is Butter chicken and Chicken tikka masala. Though really delicious, the gluten level is a big concern for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. So, you might have wondered does chicken tikka masala have gluten?

If you enjoy Indian food for its ability to please the palette, you should try the rich, creamy chicken tikka masala, which has a nuanced taste. Tender chicken, a sauce you can’t get enough of, and a mixture of spices make up chicken masala. We have looked at the gluten status, health benefits, and consequences of this culinary adventure, as well as the gluten status of popular items. We have also included a wonderful gluten-free dish that you’ll want to try.

Does Chicken Tikka Masala Have Gluten?

Traditionally, chicken tikka masala is produced without gluten using yogurt and a variety of spices for the marinade, chicken, tomatoes, and cream for the sauce, and rice flour or cornflour for thickening.

But the threat from gluten could come from cross-contamination in the kitchen or thickeners like wheat flour that are used in some recipes to get the right consistency.

After learning the answer to our main question- does chicken tikka masala have gluten, let us learn more about this delicious Indian cuisine.

What Is Chicken Masala?

Deboned chicken chunks are marinated in yogurt and spices for chicken tikka masala, which is then roasted and served with a creamy sauce that has an orange hue. Tomato sauce and coriander are typical ingredients in chicken masala, however, there is no set recipe.

The sole constant component across the more than 48 recipes for chicken tikka masala is the chicken. Typically, the sauces are made with tomatoes, cream, coconut cream, and a masala spice blend. Typically, paprika, also known as turmeric, is used to color recipes.

What Does Chicken Masala Taste Like?

This Indian food has a rich, fragrant aroma that is unusual and pleasing to the senses. There are two main varieties of masala tikka. One is sweeter, and the other is more peppery. Both have a lot of flavor and are frequently eaten with rice or naan bread.

Chicken tikka masala has a tomato-based, earthy, creamy, tangy, or sweet taste, and occasionally a coconut taste. There are several variations, each with its unique touch. You will generally concur with me that the flavors of chicken tikka masala supplied at various places vary, which illustrates how arbitrary the recipe may be.

This cuisine is so delicious that it is used as a base in other dishes as well. Chicken Tikka masala pizza is certainly hit. This fusion food is loved by many people all over the world.

Is Chicken Tikka masala healthy?

After “does chicken tikka masala have gluten” the next important question is “Is chicken tikka masala healthy?” Not only do the herbs and spices in chicken tikka masala enhance its mouthwatering, musty flavor, but they are also quite healthful. For example, the garlic used to make chicken tikka masala contains allicin, which strengthens the immune system in addition to giving the dish its unique aroma. Garlic can also aid in the body’s detoxification from the accumulation of heavy metals.

To maintain her weight, an average active woman requires 1,800–2,200 calories per day, whereas an average active man needs 2,200–2,800 calories per day. One dish of chicken tikka masala may provide 35–39% of your daily caloric needs.

There are 53 g of fat and 28 g of saturated fat in a dish of chicken tikka masala (that’s 138% of your daily value based on a 2,000-calorie diet), and we all know that saturated fat raises cholesterol and increases the risk of heart disease. If you’ve been struggling with rising blood cholesterol, proceed with caution as each dish contains 230 mg of cholesterol.

Due to the number of salts utilized, the 1,400 mg of sodium in chicken tikka masala could satisfy 59% of your daily sodium needs. High blood pressure will eventually result from a high daily sodium intake.

Tell the waiter or chef about your dietary requirements before ordering chicken tikka masala at a restaurant if you have celiac disease or are gluten intolerant. When you make your dietary limitations apparent, many restaurants will take steps to guarantee they don’t cross-contaminate your meal. However, most restaurants don’t prioritize gluten-free meals and will still cross-contaminate. We have a delicious gluten-free chicken tikka masala recipe that will entice your palate if you decide to prepare it at home.

Ingredients

• One and a half pounds of skinless, boneless chicken thighs, chopped into small pieces
• Two tsp lemon juice
• Kosher salt
• Two tablespoons of freshly peeled, chopped, and shredded ginger
• Nine separated, peeled, and minced garlic cloves
• One teaspoon of cumin powder
• Three paprika tsp, divided
• One teaspoon of ground chipotle or cayenne, depending on how hot you like it
• Three teaspoons of heavy cream
• Half a teaspoon, divided, garam masala
• Seven tsp olive oil, split
• One large onion, thinly sliced
• One tablespoon of coriander powder
• One teaspoon of turmeric
• four tsp plain yogurt
• two big tomatoes, shredded
• Two cups of chicken broth

Instructions

• Give the chicken a marinade. Combine the chicken, lemon juice, and salt. Put it away for a short while.
• Add the cream, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon each of paprika, cayenne, ginger, and half a teaspoon of garam masala to a mixture. Over the chicken, pour, and well stir. For at least four hours, cover and chill.
• Prepare the masala. Transfer 4 tbsp olive oil into a big pan with a cover and place it on medium-high heat. Add the onions when the oil is heated. Fry until they begin to take on color. Stir in the garlic and ginger and simmer for an additional minute. Stir in the paprika, turmeric, ground coriander, and remaining cayenne.
• After ten seconds of stirring, add one tablespoon of yogurt. Fry, stirring, until it absorbs. In this manner, add the remaining yogurt, one spoonful at a time. It should be cooked into the spices.
• Add the tomatoes and simmer for a few minutes, stirring. After adding the stock, simmer the mixture. For fifteen to twenty minutes, simmer gently while covered and the heat is lowered. The sauce ought to get thicker. As necessary, add more salt, garam masala, and other seasonings after tasting and adjusting the seasonings.
• Heat up a big skillet or your grill. If grilling, thread the chicken onto skewers. Lightly coat the chicken with a portion of the leftover olive oil.
• Once the sauce is done, grill the chicken for 12 minutes, rotating it once or twice during that time.
• After the chicken is thoroughly cooked, take it off the skewers and combine it with the masala.

Does chicken tikka masala contain gluten? Final Thoughts

Since wheat isn’t used as a thickener in conventional chicken tikka masala, it is gluten-free. So, this blog has answered the main question that is- does chicken tikka masala have gluten? That being said, there are more than 48 versions of this recipe, and each one is prepared using a different combination of ingredients or techniques that might include gluten in the dish. In rare instances, certain spices may also include hidden gluten-containing substances.

It’s crucial to find out what’s in the specific chicken tikka masala at any restaurant you visit to make sure your food stays gluten-free.

Indian cuisine is varied and, depending on the dish and the restaurant, may or may not contain gluten. It is best to discuss your needs with the restaurant staff and be specific if you are avoiding gluten for personal or health reasons. They can provide you with the best solutions in this method. It’s not necessary for being gluten-free to be dull; you may still enjoy a variety of foods without running the risk of injury.

Read this blog to find the gluten-free Indian food.

Also read:

Does Buffalo Sauce Have Gluten? (& Easy 4 Step Buffalo Sauce Recipe)

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