Quick Answer
Chicken tikka is a popular Indian dish made by marinating chicken pieces in a spiced yogurt-based marinade and then grilling or baking them. The traditional chicken tikka marinade does not contain garlic. However, some modern recipes may add garlic or garlic powder to the marinade for additional flavor. So whether chicken tikka contains garlic or not depends on the specific recipe used. But in its original and authentic form, chicken tikka does not contain garlic.
What is Chicken Tikka?
Chicken tikka is a dish that originated in India and Pakistan. It is made from chunks of bone-in chicken or boneless chicken thighs that are marinated in a spiced yogurt-based marinade called tikka marinade. The key ingredients in the marinade are yogurt, spices like garam masala, chili powder, cumin, coriander, and lemon juice or vinegar.
The chicken is marinated for several hours to overnight to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat. Then it is roasted or grilled at high heat until charred and cooked through. The high heat helps create a smoky flavor. Chicken tikka is usually served as an appetizer or entrée, often with green chutney and lemon wedges.
Origin of Chicken Tikka
Chicken tikka traces its origins back to India. It was likely created in the Punjabi region, which now spans parts of northern India and eastern Pakistan. The dish rose to prominence during the Mughlai era in India, when tandoor ovens were widely used for cooking meats.
The word “tikka” refers to small pieces of meat or vegetables that are marinated and cooked on skewers. So chicken tikka literally means small pieces of chicken that are marinated and cooked. Over time, the dish spread to other parts of South Asia and around the world, becoming immensely popular globally.
Traditional Chicken Tikka Marinade
The traditional chicken tikka marinade consists of just a few ingredients:
- Plain yogurt
- Spices like garam masala, red chili powder, cumin, coriander
- Salt
- Lemon juice or vinegar
This simple marinade allows the flavors of the chicken and spices to shine. Garlic and onions are not traditionally used in the marinade, unlike many other Indian dishes. This helps give chicken tikka its distinctive flavor.
Does Chicken Tikka Contain Garlic?
In its original and authentic form, chicken tikka does not contain garlic. Garlic is not used as an ingredient in the traditional chicken tikka marinade.
Here are some reasons why garlic is not typically used:
- The traditional marinade focuses on just a few key spices to complement the chicken, without overpowering it. Garlic has a very strong, pungent flavor that could clash.
- Garlic is not widely used in the Punjabi cuisine of northern India, where tikka originates. Onions and garlic are more common in dishes from other regions of India.
- The cooking method involves high heat from grilling or baking. Slow simmering or sauteing is not used. So there is no need for garlic to enhance flavor development over a long cook time.
- Garlic can burn easily at high heat during grilling or baking. So it may turn bitter if charred.
So in summary, garlic is not an authentic ingredient used in traditional chicken tikka recipes. The marinade focuses on yogurt, spices, and acid from lemon or vinegar to tenderize and flavor the chicken.
When is Garlic Used in Chicken Tikka?
That said, many modern recipes do incorporate garlic into chicken tikka. Here are some cases when garlic may be added:
- Recipes that simmer or braise the chicken in the marinade before grilling may use garlic for extra flavor, since the long cook time prevents burning.
- Recipes that adapt chicken tikka to Western tastes sometimes add garlic powder or granulated garlic to the marinade.
- Fusion recipes that combine chicken tikka with ingredients from different cuisines may use garlic. For example, a recipe for “chicken tikka pizza” may add garlic.
- Home cooks experimenting with their own versions of chicken tikka may add garlic to the marinade for a different flavor profile.
So while untraditional, the use of garlic in chicken tikka is not uncommon. It can add more depth of flavor when properly balanced with the other ingredients. But traditionalists would argue this strays from the original dish.
Other Common Questions
Here are answers to some other frequently asked questions about chicken tikka:
Is chicken tikka spicy?
Chicken tikka has a mild to moderately spicy flavor depending on the quantity of spices used. The chili powder in the marinade gives it a warming heat, but yogurt helps temper the spice level. It can be adjusted to be very mild or very spicy based on personal preference.
How is chicken tikka cooked?
Traditionally, chicken tikka is cooked in a tandoor, which is a cylindrical clay oven. The skewers of chicken cook by the intense heat of the sides of the oven. Tandoor ovens can reach temperatures up to 900°F.
Chicken tikka can also be made at home using a grill, oven, or broiler. The high heat helps replicate the charred smoky flavors of the tandoor.
What goes with chicken tikka?
Chicken tikka is usually served with:
- Onions
- Lemon wedges
- Green chutney
- Naan or tandoori roti
It can also be served with a variety of sides like tandoori vegetables, saffron rice, salad, raita, etc. Chicken tikka is very versatile and pairs well with many dishes.
Is chicken tikka gluten free?
Chicken tikka is naturally gluten-free if care is taken with marinade ingredients. Plain yogurt, spices, and lemon juice used in traditional recipes are gluten free. The dish uses no wheat, barley, rye, or oats. But some adapted recipes may use soy sauce or other ingredients with gluten, so always check the ingredients.
Recipe for Traditional Chicken Tikka
Here is a recipe for traditional chicken tikka without garlic:
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Wooden skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the yogurt, lemon juice and all of the spices until well combined.
- Add the chicken pieces and turn to coat in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
- Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling.
- Preheat grill or broiler to high heat. Thread marinated chicken tightly on the skewers.
- Grill for 8-10 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Chicken should be charred on the outside and cooked through.
- Serve chicken tikka immediately with desired accompaniments like onions, lemon wedges and chutney.
Conclusion
Chicken tikka is a timeless Indian dish that traditionally does not contain garlic. The original marinade focuses on yogurt, spices, and acidity to tenderize and flavor the chicken. However, many adapted and fusion recipes may choose to add garlic for extra depth of flavor. Whether enjoying traditional chicken tikka or experimental versions, this grill-friendly dish is a crowd-pleasing appetizer or entree. The aroma and taste of smoky, spiced chicken is hard to resist.