chicken tikka masala

Short description: A curry-house favorite built from grilled chicken pieces folded into a rich, mildly smoky sauce.
Ingredients: Marinated chicken tikka is roasted, then simmered in a tomato-cream masala with garlic, ginger, chile, and warm spices.
Cultural note: Its origin is debated, but the dish reflects diaspora restaurant cooking, adaptation, and a sauce-heavy style shaped for curry-house diners.
Common misconception: It is not the same as butter chicken, though the two can look similar.

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