Chicken Tikka Masala is the UK’s favourite curry, but is it worthy of such an accolade?

Each weekend, literally thousands of people up and down the country would say it is, which is why they cook it at home, or order it from their local restaurant or takeaway, but does this pretender deserve so much kudos?

Some would say that it isn’t a real curry especially when you bear in mind it’s somewhat disputed originsand admittedly, I have been somewhat snobbish about the humble Chicken Tikka Masala in the past, but it seems to me that there are more and more “versions” of this popular curry being introduced with slight twists or interesting differences.

Chicken Tikka Masala - Should this be our favourite?

That being the case, I think we are probably now at the time where we curry-snobs should start to take the humble CTM (as I’ve noticed some restaurants like to call it) a bit more seriously and of late I’ve been experimenting with various different flavours and styles of Chicken Tikka Masala in my hunt for the best Chicken Tikka Masala recipe, in much the same way as I did with the Currytastic  Chicken Madras recipe.

So, over the coming weeks I will be trying different Chicken Tikka Masala recipes, as well as some different restaurant and take away versions and will report back with my findings – I hope you all appreciate the lengths I go to for you, my readers and the love of my art

In the mean time, if you have any Chicken Tikka Masala recipes you’d like to tell us about or even if you’d like to try your hand at writing a mini-review for a local restaurant or take away, then get in touch using the comments link at the bottom of this post.

Chicken Tikka Masala is apparently the UK’s favourite curry.  That’s as maybe, but it’s not one of mine.  I prefer the Chicken Tikka Chilli Masala as served by the excellent Cinnamon Lounge in Ripponden.  Notice the difference?  You will when you eat it!

Chicken Tikka Masala - It's a bit red isn't it

Apparently the Chiken Tikka Massala was invented in Glasgow by an industrious chef who, when asked for some sauce by a customer who’d ordered Chicken Tikka without knowing what it was, mixed some spices together with a can of Heinz Tomato Soup.

So what is Chicken Tikka Masala (or “CTM” as it is sometimes known)?

It is basically chucks of Chicken Tikka marinated in yoghurt in a spicey tomato masala sauce.  Masala pretty much means a “mixture of spices”, so there are many many different versions of this classic curry, some of which are great, but in my experience they are usually at best average.

The other issue is that we curry snobs in the know say its not a proper curry etc etc.  And we are of course correct, it isn’t a proper curry.

It is the devil’s own spume of spew and bile and was solely invented to pacify drunk jocks

Chicken Tikka Chilli Masala Yum Yum, Its Curry-tastic

(Just a little tip, I wouldn’t search for the that term on Google images unless you are a man who prefers the company of a man…)

But I’m glad to say that even the most anal curry snob such as myself would agree that’s not case with the Chicken Tikka Chilli Masala at Ripponden’s Cinnamon Lounge.

I first tried the Cinnamon Lounge’s Chicken Tikka Chilla Masala over Christmas when we went there with some friends.  I saw it on the menu and was tempted by the chillis, but was put off by the Tikka Masala element.  Anyway, one of our party ordered it and we all had a try and I have to say it was fantastic – I normally like curries slightly hotter and the Chicken Tikka Chilli Masala certainly was that….

Chicken Tikka Chilli Masala Extreme Close Up - Can you feel the heat?

Last weekend Mrs Currytastic and I decided to have a take out and opted for the Chilli Masala from the Cinnamon Lounge and I’ve got to say I’m glad we did.  Rich, full of flavour and spicey enough for the very spicey people I wasn’t at all disappointed.

Chicken Tikka Chilli Masala Currytastic Official Score: 4.0 out of 5 – That’s Currytastic!