Butter Chicken vs. Tikka Masala: Which Has More Calories?

December 23, 2025 •

3 min read

A 2025 study from My Fit Foods indicated that butter chicken often contains more calories and fat than tikka masala due to its liberal use of cream and butter. This rich, indulgent texture and flavor profile are what make butter chicken so beloved, but it's important to understand the nutritional differences when comparing it with its tangy, tomato-based cousin, chicken tikka masala.

Quick Summary

This article compares the calorie counts, ingredients, and cooking methods of butter chicken and chicken tikka masala, revealing why one generally contains more calories. It provides a detailed nutritional breakdown to inform healthier dining decisions.

Key Points

Sauce Composition is Key: Butter chicken’s higher calorie count stems from its rich base of butter and heavy cream, while tikka masala relies more on a tomato base.
Tikka Masala is Generally Lighter: Because it uses less heavy fat, chicken tikka masala is typically the lower-calorie and lower-fat option of the two.
Restaurant Variations Matter: Calorie counts can vary significantly between restaurants due to differing recipes and portion sizes; homemade versions offer the most control.
Preparation Method Affects Calories: Both dishes use grilled or roasted chicken, but the final simmering sauce is what creates the caloric difference.
Mindful Eating is Crucial: Regardless of your choice, paying attention to portion sizes and accompaniments like rice and naan is important for managing calorie intake.
Ingredient Swaps Can Reduce Calories: Healthier versions can be made at home by substituting Greek yogurt for cream and using less ghee or butter.

Understanding the Calorie Differences: Cream vs. Tomato

When examining which has more calories, butter chicken or tikka masala, the main differentiating factor is the sauce. Both dishes feature succulent pieces of chicken, often pre-cooked in a tandoor, but the final curry determines the overall calorie count. Butter chicken's classic recipe, known as murgh makhani, is famously rich, relying heavily on butter (makhani) and fresh cream to create its signature velvety texture. This combination of high-fat ingredients inevitably drives up the caloric content. Chicken tikka masala, while also creamy, is more heavily focused on a spiced tomato base and typically uses less cream and butter, or sometimes yogurt, for its tangier sauce.

The Ingredients that Tip the Scales

To truly grasp the nutritional disparity, it's essential to look at the ingredients that contribute most significantly to the calorie count.

Butter Chicken: The generous addition of butter (ghee) and heavy cream is the primary reason for its higher fat and calorie content. These ingredients not only contribute to the rich taste but also to the dish's overall energy density.
Tikka Masala: While it still contains some cream or yogurt for richness, the base is predominantly tomato. This substitution reduces the overall fat content, making it the lighter option in most comparisons.

Comparing Preparation Methods

The way the chicken is prepared also plays a role. In both dishes, the chicken is typically marinated in yogurt and spices before being grilled or roasted. This preparation method is relatively healthy and adds a smoky flavor to the meat. The real caloric divergence happens when the chicken is simmered in the final sauce.

For butter chicken, the chicken is added to a rich, buttery tomato and cream mixture, absorbing its richness.
For chicken tikka masala, the chicken is folded into a spiced, tomato-forward sauce, which, while still creamy, is less saturated with fat than its buttery counterpart.

Factors Influencing Restaurant Variations

It is important to remember that these are general comparisons. The exact calorie counts can vary dramatically depending on where you eat. Restaurants have different recipes and may be more or less liberal with their use of butter, cream, and oil. A homemade version can be made much lighter by using reduced-fat cream or yogurt, and controlling the amount of fat used in the base.

Nutritional Breakdown: Butter Chicken vs. Tikka Masala

To provide a clear comparison, let's examine the average nutritional content of each dish. These are approximate values and can change based on the specific recipe and portion size. While both offer significant protein, the macronutrient breakdown differs notably.


Nutrient (per serving, approx.)	Butter Chicken	Tikka Masala
Calories	500-650+	400-500
Total Fat	30g+	25g+
Saturated Fat	High (15g+)	Lower (10g+)
Carbohydrates	Moderate (15-20g)	Moderate (10-15g)
Protein	High (25-35g)	High (25-30g)
Sodium	Moderate	Higher

The Takeaway for Health-Conscious Diners

For those watching their caloric intake, chicken tikka masala is generally the better choice, assuming it's made with less cream and butter than the alternative. However, the difference isn't always substantial, and a poorly prepared tikka masala could still be a calorie bomb. The key is to be mindful of ingredients and serving sizes. Many restaurants will also have healthier versions of both dishes available upon request.

How to Make a Healthier Choice

Making an Indian meal a healthier one is often a matter of preparation and portion control. Here are some tips:

At a restaurant: Ask about the ingredients. Request less cream or butter. Opt for leaner protein sources.
At home: Control the ingredients yourself. Use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream or just a small amount of low-fat cream. Use less ghee and more tomato.
Portion size: Remember that the calories add up, especially when served with naan and rice. Be mindful of your portion of the main dish and accompaniments.

Conclusion

In the culinary showdown of butter chicken vs. tikka masala, butter chicken typically has more calories due to its heavy reliance on butter and cream. While both are delicious, a deeper understanding of their ingredients and cooking methods allows diners to make more informed choices. For a slightly lighter option, tikka masala generally comes out ahead, but the real key to a healthy meal lies in portion control and mindful preparation. The best choice ultimately depends on your personal dietary goals and what you're craving.

For further reading on the history and cultural origins of these dishes, see the National Geographic article on butter chicken and the NPR piece on tikka masala's origins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Butter chicken generally has more calories than chicken tikka masala because its sauce contains more butter and heavy cream, which increases its fat and overall energy content.

While often a lighter alternative to butter chicken, tikka masala can still be high in calories, fat, and sodium depending on the recipe. It is often a healthier choice but should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

To make butter chicken healthier, you can reduce the amount of butter and cream, or substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or a lighter alternative. Controlling your portion size and serving it with brown rice or vegetables also helps.

The primary difference lies in the sauce base: butter chicken uses a rich, heavy base of butter (ghee) and cream, while tikka masala relies more on a spiced tomato base with less cream.

Butter chicken's flavor is milder and sweeter because the cream and butter mellow out the spices. Tikka masala's sauce is tangier and often spicier due to its more pronounced tomato and spice profile.

The chicken tikka pieces, marinated in yogurt and spices and then grilled, are relatively lean and high in protein. The high-calorie content comes primarily from the masala sauce it is served in, not the meat itself.

Yes, the preparation method significantly affects the calorie count. For example, a restaurant that uses a generous amount of heavy cream and butter will produce a much higher calorie dish than a homemade version with lighter ingredients.