What vegetables to serve with chicken tikka masala?

Chicken tikka masala is one of the most popular Indian dishes, consisting of chicken marinated in yogurt and spices that is then cooked in a tomato-based sauce. The complex flavors of chicken tikka masala pair well with simple vegetables that won’t overpower the dish. Certain veggies can complement the spices in the curry sauce or provide color and texture contrast. When choosing vegetable side dishes for chicken tikka masala, you’ll want to consider vegetables that will soak up the rich flavors of the sauce or provide a cooling contrast.

What are some good vegetable side dishes for chicken tikka masala?

Here are some of the best vegetables to serve alongside chicken tikka masala:

• Basmati rice – The classic side, basmati rice soaks up the spicy curry sauce beautifully. Plain or saffron rice is perfect.
• Naan – Fluffy, soft naan is ideal for dipping in the curry sauce.
• Cauliflower – Roast florets or riced cauliflower pairs well with the spices.
• Green beans – Crisp green beans provide color and texture contrast.
• Broccoli – Broccoli florets add freshness.
• Carrots – Roasted carrots complement the sweetness.
• Sweet potatoes – Cubed and roasted sweet potatoes balance the heat.
• Peas – Fresh or frozen peas add pleasant pops of sweetness.
• Spinach – Sautéed spinach balances the richness.
• Cucumber raita – The cooling yogurt-based dip offsets the curry’s heat.

What rice goes well with chicken tikka masala?

Basmati rice is the traditional side served with chicken tikka masala. The nutty aroma and fluffy yet firm texture of basmati rice works well to soak up the spices and sauce. Plain white or saffron basmati rice is perfect.

Other rice varieties that pair well include:

• Jasmine rice
• Long grain white rice
• Brown basmati rice
• Coconut rice
• Lemon rice
• Jeera rice flavored with cumin seeds
• Steamed rice

You can also add mix-ins like peas, carrots, raisins, cashews, or pistachios to make flavored rice.

What naan flavors work with chicken tikka masala?

There are many flavored naan options that complement chicken tikka masala:

• Original – Plain, soft naan is perfect for sopping up sauce.
• Garlic – The savory garlic flavor accentuates the spices.
• Onion – Onion naan provides subtle sweet onion notes.
• Cilantro – Fresh cilantro naan brightens up the dish.
• Cheese – Cheese naan adds a rich, creamy contrast.
• Keema – Naan stuffed with spiced ground meat echoes tikka flavors.
• Peshawari – Fruits and nuts in this naan complement tikka masala sweetness.

You can also brush plain naan with garlic-lime butter or fresh cilantro-mint chutney.

What vegetables pair well with Indian spices in chicken tikka masala?

The complex spice blend known as garam masala is integral to chicken tikka masala. Garam masala contains warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, cumin, and bay leaves. These spices pair well with vegetables that complement these flavor profiles.

Some vegetables that echo garam masala spices include:

• Carrots – Contain natural sweetness that complements cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves.
• Cauliflower – Roasted cauliflower has nutty flavor that resonates with cumin, coriander, and bay leaves.
• Peas – The subtle sweetness plays off the cinnamon, clove, and bay leaf notes.
• Sweet potatoes – Sweet potatoes contain cinnamon-like warmth and pair with cardamom.
• Butternut squash – The sweet, nutty squash flavor complements spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.

On the flip side, vegetables like broccoli, spinach, and green beans offer an herbal freshness and vegetal flavor that contrasts and balances the warming spices.

What are the best vegetable cooking methods for chicken tikka masala?

Cooking method impacts the flavor and texture of vegetables paired with chicken tikka masala. Try these cooking techniques:

• Roasting – Roasting concentrates natural sweetness and adds caramelized richness.
• Sauteing – Quick sauteing in oil or ghee imparts light charring.
• Steaming – Steaming keeps veggies fresh, crisp and bright.
• Stir-frying – Stir-frying adds smoky notes while keeping crunch.
• Grilling – Grilling lends vegetables charred flavor.

Roasting is exceptional for cauliflower, carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, and squash. Sauteing is great for spinach, green beans, peas, and carrots. Steaming works well for broccoli, green beans, and carrots to preserve freshness. Stir-frying adds smoky essence to snap peas, bok choy or broccoli. Grilling brings out sweetness in vegetables like zucchini, eggplant and onions.

What are good vegetable ratios for chicken tikka masala?

Aim for a 1:1 ratio of chicken tikka masala to vegetable side dishes. For 4 servings of chicken tikka masala, plan on 4 servings of vegetables. Some sample vegetable ratios could be:

• 1 cup basmati rice + 1 cup roasted cauliflower florets
• 2 pieces garlic naan + 1 cup stir fried snap peas
• 1 cup jeera rice + 1 cup grilled zucchini planks
• 2 pieces cilantro naan + 1 cup sautéed spinach
• 1 cup coconut rice + 1 cup roasted sweet potato cubes

Having both a starchy side like rice or naan and a lighter roasted or sautéed veggie provides balance. Change up the vegetable and grain/bread combinations for variety.

What are simple vegetable side dish recipes?

Here are some easy vegetable side dish recipes to accompany chicken tikka masala:

Roasted Carrots

• 1 lb carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Toss carrots with olive oil and spices on a baking sheet.
3. Roast 25 minutes, stirring halfway, until browned and tender.
4. Season with salt and pepper.

Sauteed Spinach

• 1 lb fresh spinach
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
• Squeeze fresh lemon juice

1. Heat oil in pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and pepper flakes and cook 1 minute.
3. Add spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and add lemon juice.

Steamed Broccoli Florets

• 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Steam broccoli florets for 5-7 minutes until tender but still crisp.
2. Toss broccoli with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.

Stir Fried Snap Peas

• 1 lb snap peas
• 1 tbsp canola oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
• Sesame oil to taste

1. Heat canola oil in a skillet over high heat.
2. Add snap peas and garlic and stir fry 1-2 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and toss with soy sauce and sesame oil.

What are good vegetable curries for chicken tikka masala?

These flavorful vegetable curries also pair wonderfully with chicken tikka masala:

• Chana masala – Chickpeas in tomato-based sauce
• Aloo gobi – Potatoes and cauliflower in tomato gravy
• Baingan bharta – Fire-roasted eggplant
• Saag paneer – Spinach with cubes of cheese
• Vegetable korma – Mixed veggies in creamy nut sauce

The spices, tomato sauce, creamy nut flavors, and vegetables in these curries provide delicious complements to chicken tikka masala’s palette.

What are good vegetable dips and raitas?

Cooling raitas featuring yogurt and vegetables help provide balance when paired with spicy chicken tikka masala. Great options include:

• Cucumber raita – Yogurt with shredded cucumber and mint
• Boondi raita – Tiny fried gram flour balls in yogurt
• Onion raita – Whisked yogurt with diced onions
• Carrot raita – Spiced yogurt with shredded carrots

Aside from raitas, Baba ghanoush, hummus, and tsatziki also make refreshing dips for chicken tikka masala.

Conclusion

Chicken tikka masala is a complexly flavored dish that calls for simple vegetable accompaniments. Focus on vegetables that soak up sauce, provide texture contrast, or complement the warming spices. Basmati rice, naan, and roasted vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, and sweet potatoes are safe bets. Quick-cooked veggies like spinach, green beans, and snap peas add bright balance. Creamy raitas, hummus, baba ghanoush, and other dips bring cooling contrast to the meal. With a broad variety of vegetables, grains, and dips to select from, you can craft the perfect supporting sides to let the spices and rich flavors of chicken tikka masala shine.