Trying to make the perfect dinner, but just wondering what vegetables to serve with chicken tikka masala. You’ve come to the right place! Here, we’ll share a few of our favorite vegetable side dishes to pair with this popular Indian dish.
Whether you’re looking for something light and simple or want something that packs a little more flavor punch – you’re sure to find something on this list that will wow your family and guests.
So go ahead, and explore below for scrumptious options that are sure to please!
What Is Chicken Tikka Masala?
Chicken tikka masala is a popular Indian dish made with marinated, grilled chicken chunks cooked in an aromatic curry sauce. The main ingredients in the sauce are tomato, cream and a variety of spices.
The origins of this dish are disputed, with both India and Britain claiming to be the birthplace of chicken tikka masala.
What Vegetables To Serve With Chicken Tikka Masala
So, what vegetables to serve with chicken tikka masala? Regarding side dishes for chicken tikka masala, the possibilities are endless.
You can go with something classic like basmati rice or naan bread, or you can get a little more creative and serve roasted vegetables.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower can be a great accompaniment to chicken tikka masala, offering a crunchy and flavorful contrast to the creamy sauce. It is best served as an aloo gobi side dish.
Cut one cauliflower head into florets to prepare, then boil until just tender. Once cooked, add some oil, cumin seeds and fresh garlic to a skillet.
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When the aromatics are fragrant, add the cauliflower florets and some turmeric, cayenne pepper, and salt to taste. Saute for five minutes, then pour a generous portion of chicken tikka masala sauce.
Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve with steamed basmati rice or naan bread for a delicious and comforting meal.
Broccoli
Broccoli adds an extra layer of flavor and texture and provides added nutrition. To use broccoli in this dish, simply blanch or steam the florets until tender.
Then add them to the tikka masala sauce during the last few minutes of cooking. This will allow the broccoli to absorb the flavors and become infused with the sauce.
Serve it over basmati rice for a complete meal.
Cabbage
Cabbage can be prepped by either shredding it into thin strips or chopping it into cubes and then sautéing it in a pan with some oil until softened.
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Alternatively, cabbage can be steamed or boiled until just cooked before adding to the chicken tikka masala. The cabbage will add a crunch, earthy flavor, and nutritional value to the dish, making it even more delicious!
Spinach
Spinach can be served alongside chicken tikka masala in a few different ways. One way is to add chopped spinach directly into the sauce while it simmers, adding flavor and nutrition.
Alternatively, you could also sauté some spinach lightly with garlic and oil and serve it as a side dish to the chicken tikka masala.
Another way is to chop up some spinach and mix it with the cooked chicken tikka masala before serving, providing an extra green pop of color and flavor.
Asparagus
The combination of flavors and textures complements each other. To serve asparagus with chicken tikka masala, steam or roast the spears before adding them directly to the sauce.
Alternatively, you could sauté them in oil and spices for added flavor. This can be done before or after adding the chicken tikka masala sauce to the pan.
When ready, serve the asparagus and chicken with steamed rice or naan bread for a delicious meal.
Carrots
Carrots can be served as a side dish with chicken tikka masala in various ways. Roasted or boiled carrots are an excellent accompaniment to the smoky and flavorful chicken tikka masala sauce.
Another option is to dice carrots into small pieces and sauté them with cumin, garlic, and other spices for added flavor. Grated carrots can also be stirred into the masala sauce itself, providing a contrast of texture and sweetness.
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Finally, diced carrots can be added to traditional Indian carrot pulao or biryani recipes, which are great accompaniments to chicken tikka masala.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes can be cooked separately and added to the dish just before serving or cooked directly in the sauce. To do this, peel and cube the sweet potatoes and then fry them in some oil until lightly golden.
Then add them to the tikka masala sauce and cook for 10-15 minutes until tender. Serve with basmati rice, warm chapatis or naan bread for a wonderfully flavorful meal.
Onions
One way to serve onions with chicken tikka masala is to add roughly chopped onions directly into the sauce while it is cooking, which adds texture and flavor to the dish.
Another option is to slice or dice onions and lightly sautée until they are caramelized, then serve them as a side dish or topping for the tikka masala.
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Onions can also be added raw to salads, salsas, or chutneys served alongside chicken tikka masala. To add some extra flavor, pick onions in vinegar and spices before adding them as a garnish to the finished dish.
Eggplant
To serve eggplant as a side dish with chicken tikka masala, simply cube the eggplant and lightly fry it in vegetable oil until golden brown.
Add some garlic and spices to taste, then combine with cooked chicken tikka masala. Serve with some fresh cilantro, lemon wedges and warm naan or rice.
Zucchini
One way to enjoy zucchini with chicken tikka masala is to mix the zucchini and sauté it in a pan with oil or butter. Once the zucchini cubes have softened, add them to the chicken tikka masala sauce before serving.
Alternatively, you can cut thin zucchini strips and arrange them on top of the chicken tikka masala before serving. This adds a nice crunchy texture to the dish and makes it look more appealing.
Bell Peppers
One popular way to serve bell peppers with chicken tikka masala is to stir-fry bell pepper pieces in oil before adding them to the curry. This adds an extra dimension of texture and flavor to the dish and provides an aesthetically pleasing pop of color.
Alternatively, bell peppers can be cooked separately from the curry and served as a side dish to add color and crunch. They can also be roasted in the oven or grilled before being added to the curry for a smoky flavor.
Finally, Bell peppers can be sliced thinly and used as a garnish for the dish, adding texture and flavor without overpowering the other ingredients.
Corn
Corn can be boiled, roasted, grilled or fried. Boiled corn on the cob is a classic accompaniment and pairs perfectly with the spicy flavors of the masala.
Roasted or grilled corn adds smokiness to the dish, making it even more satisfying. Fried corn is a delightful crunchy texture that contrasts with the creamy masala and adds a unique flavor.
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Green Beans
Green beans are one of the best side dishes for chicken tikka masala. They provide a delicious crunch and a mild flavor that pairs perfectly with the rich, spiced sauce.
To make them, steam or sauté green beans in butter or olive oil for about 5 minutes until crisp-tender. Add salt and pepper to taste, and finish with fresh lemon juice.
Serve the green beans alongside chicken tikka masala for a complete meal that is sure to please!
Peas
To serve peas with your tikka masala, cook them until they are tender but still have a slight bite, then toss them in some oil and herbs before adding to the curry.
Alternatively, serve cooked peas on the side with a cumin and coriander powder sprinkle for extra flavor. Peas can also be stirred into rice dishes or served over naan bread.
FAQs
What Kind Of Salad To Serve With Chicken Tikka Masala?
A traditional Indian salad to serve with Chicken Tikka Masala is a Kachumber Salad. Other salads that go well with this dish include bean or green salads and fruit and nut-based salads.
What Kind Of Rice To Serve With Chicken Tikka Masala?
Basmati rice is the traditional accompaniment to Chicken Tikka Masala. However, other types of rice, such as jasmine or brown rice, can also be used.
What Kind Of Wine To Serve With Chicken Tikka Masala?
A dry white wine such as a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio is an excellent pairing for Chicken Tikka Masala.
Other white wines like Chardonnay and Riesling can also work well. For a milder flavor, try pairing it with a light red, such as Pinot Noir.
Conclusion
Now you should know what vegetables to serve with chicken tikka masala. Vegetables that pair well with Chicken Tikka Masala are cauliflower, zucchini, bell peppers, onions and so on.
These vegetables can be cooked in various ways, such as roasted, grilled or steamed, to bring out their flavor and make them the perfect accompaniment for this delicious dish.
Adding some fresh herbs or spices to the vegetables will help to enhance the flavor even more. With a dish as special as Chicken Tikka Masala, having delicious and nutritious vegetables on the side is worth it!