Tikka Masala

Rich, smoky and full of flavor, Tikka Masala is one of the most popular Indian dishes in the world, and one of the most-ordered curries at Curry Gate. It combines tender tandoori-grilled pieces with a bold, spiced tomato gravy. You choose your protein and your spice level.

Choose your protein:

Chicken Tikka Masala: boneless chicken marinated and cooked in the tandoor, then simmered in the rich masala sauce. It's the most popular choice by far. Paneer Tikka Masala: cubes of Indian cottage cheese, tandoori-grilled and cooked in the masala gravy. It's a vegetarian favorite. Lamb Tikka Masala: rich, hearty lamb in the bold tomato gravy. Goat Tikka Masala: traditional, full-flavored goat, a favorite with Indian and Nepali food lovers. Veggie Tikka Masala: mixed vegetables in the same rich, spiced tomato sauce.

Tikka means small pieces, traditionally marinated and grilled in a tandoor, and masala means a blend of spices. For our Chicken and Paneer Tikka Masala, the pieces are marinated in yogurt, ginger, garlic and spices, then cooked in a blazing-hot clay tandoor oven. That gives them a smoky, lightly charred flavor. They're then simmered in a rich, tomato-based gravy made with onions, garlic, ginger and warm spices like cumin, coriander, paprika and garam masala.

The result is a curry that is rich, tangy and slightly smoky, with a thick, velvety sauce and tender, flavorful pieces in every bite. It's bold but well balanced, which is why Tikka Masala is a top pick for first-time guests and longtime fans of Indian food.

You control the heat. Choose your spice level from 1 to 10 when you order. Keep it mild at 1–3 for a smooth, family-friendly curry, go medium at 4–6 for classic warmth, or turn it up to 7–10 if you love real heat.

Tikka Masala is best with warm Butter Naan, Garlic Naan or Chilli Garlic Naan for scooping up the sauce. It's also great over steamed basmati rice, and a side of raita or a Mango Lassi completes the meal.

Whether you're craving Chicken Tikka Masala for lunch in Uptown, Paneer Tikka Masala for dinner in South End, or Lamb Tikka Masala for takeout near NoDa, Curry Gate brings authentic Indian and Nepali flavors to Charlotte, NC. Order Tikka Masala for dine-in, pickup or delivery.

FAQ

What is Tikka Masala? Tikka Masala is a curry of tandoori-grilled pieces, usually chicken or paneer, simmered in a rich, spiced tomato-based gravy.

What proteins can I choose for Tikka Masala at Curry Gate? You can choose chicken, paneer, lamb, goat or veggie.

Is Chicken Tikka Masala boneless? Yes. Curry Gate's Chicken Tikka Masala is made with boneless tandoori chicken.

What is the difference between Tikka Masala and Butter Chicken? Tikka Masala has a bolder, tangier, more spice-forward tomato gravy with smoky tandoori pieces. Butter Chicken is richer, creamier and milder, with a buttery sauce.

Is Tikka Masala spicy? You choose your spice level from 1 (mild) to 10 (very hot).

Is there a vegetarian Tikka Masala? Yes. Paneer Tikka Masala and Veggie Tikka Masala are both vegetarian.