How Many Calories Does One Chicken Tikka Have? A Full Breakdown

October 21, 2025 •

4 min read

The calorie count in a chicken tikka can vary significantly, with a single breast piece often containing around 216 calories, depending on the preparation. Understanding how many calories does one chicken tikka have requires looking at variables like the cut of chicken, cooking method, and marinade ingredients.

Quick Summary

An average chicken tikka piece can range from 60 to over 200 calories, influenced by the chicken cut, skin presence, and cooking oil. The calorie difference between breast and thigh meat, and between homemade and restaurant versions, is substantial. This article provides a comprehensive overview of chicken tikka's nutritional profile, helping with diet planning.

Key Points

Calorie Variation: A single chicken tikka piece can range from 60 to over 200 calories, depending on the cut, preparation, and size.
Chicken Cut Matters: Breast meat is leaner and generally lower in calories than fattier thigh meat, especially if cooked without the skin.
Marinade & Cooking Technique: Homemade versions using low-fat yogurt and grilling are significantly healthier and lower in calories than restaurant dishes that may add extra cream, oil, or butter.
Restaurant vs. Homemade: Restaurant chicken tikka often has more calories due to richer marinades and cooking techniques, while homemade versions allow for full control over ingredients.
Accurate Tracking: For precise calorie counting, weigh your cooked portion and account for all marinade ingredients, rather than relying on general estimates.

Demystifying the Chicken Tikka Calorie Count

Chicken tikka, a popular Indian and Pakistani dish, consists of small pieces of boneless chicken marinated in spices and yogurt, then grilled to perfection. While it's a relatively healthy and high-protein option, its exact calorie content is a frequent question for those tracking their nutritional intake. The answer isn't a single number, but rather a range affected by several factors. The type of chicken cut, presence of skin, marinade ingredients, and cooking method all play significant roles in the final calorie count.

The Impact of Chicken Cut on Calories

The most common cuts used for chicken tikka are chicken breast and thigh. These have different fat and protein contents, which directly impacts the calorie count. Chicken breast is leaner, while chicken thigh has a higher fat content, leading to more calories per gram.

Chicken Breast Pieces: One half of a chicken breast, cooked as tikka, can be around 216 calories. The exact number will depend on its size and the oil used in the marinade.
Chicken Thigh Pieces: A single chicken tikka thigh piece can contain approximately 162 calories. Although this seems lower, thigh meat is generally smaller and fattier, so the calorie density is higher than breast meat.

It's important to remember that these are average figures. A small restaurant piece might be significantly smaller than a homemade one, with a different marinade and preparation. A helpful strategy is to weigh your portion, if possible, to get a more accurate estimate.

The Calorie Contribution of the Marinade and Cooking Method

Traditional chicken tikka uses a marinade of yogurt and spices, which is relatively low in calories. However, some marinades, especially restaurant-style ones, may incorporate additional oil, cream, or other high-calorie ingredients to enhance flavor and moisture. Similarly, how the chicken is cooked matters.

Grilling/Tandoor: Cooking chicken tikka in a tandoor oven or on a grill requires minimal added fat, making it a healthier choice. The intense heat cooks the chicken quickly while sealing in the flavors without much oil.
Pan-Frying: Some recipes might call for pan-frying the chicken tikka. This can add a significant number of calories, especially if generous amounts of oil or ghee are used.

Restaurant vs. Homemade Calories

There is a notable difference in calorie content between chicken tikka prepared at home and a restaurant. The reasons for this discrepancy are straightforward.

Restaurant Versions: Restaurant dishes often prioritize flavor over calorie efficiency. They might use more oil, cream, and butter in their marinades and cooking process. For instance, a chicken tikka masala sauce can add hundreds of calories to a meal.
Homemade Versions: When you prepare chicken tikka at home, you have full control over the ingredients. You can opt for low-fat yogurt, minimize the amount of oil, and stick to grilling, resulting in a much healthier and lower-calorie dish.

Comparison of Chicken Tikka Calories

To better understand the variance, here is a comparison table outlining the approximate calories based on different factors. These are estimates, as exact figures will always depend on specific recipes and portion sizes.


Chicken Part & Method	Approximate Calories (Per Piece)	Key Calorie Factors
Homemade Chicken Breast	100-150 kcal (approx. 50g)	Lean protein, minimal oil, low-fat yogurt.
Restaurant Chicken Breast	200-250 kcal	More oil/cream in marinade, larger portion sizes.
Homemade Chicken Thigh	130-180 kcal (approx. 50g)	Higher fat content in meat, minimal added fat.
Restaurant Chicken Thigh	180-300+ kcal	Fatty meat, more oil, potential for skin.
Chicken Tikka Skewer (Boneless)	140-230 kcal (per skewer)	Leaner meat, but marinade and serving size vary.

How to Accurately Count Chicken Tikka Calories

For those who are serious about tracking their intake, here are some tips for accurately counting calories when enjoying chicken tikka:

Measure Your Portions: The most reliable method is to weigh your cooked chicken tikka using a kitchen scale. This eliminates the guesswork associated with visual estimations.
Request Specifics: If you are ordering from a restaurant, ask about their preparation method. Inquire if they add extra butter or cream to the marinade or while finishing the dish.
Adjust for Marinade: If making it at home, factor in the calories from all marinade ingredients, especially oil, yogurt, and any sweeteners, dividing the total among the number of portions.
Use Reputable Sources: Refer to nutrition databases or food tracking apps for reliable calorie information, but be aware that values can differ depending on the source.

Conclusion

In short, there is no single answer to how many calories does one chicken tikka have. The calorie count is a function of the chicken cut, marinade composition, and cooking method. A homemade, skinless chicken breast tikka grilled with low-fat yogurt will be far lower in calories than a restaurant-style thigh piece cooked with extra cream and oil. By understanding these variables, you can make informed choices and continue to enjoy this flavorful dish as part of a balanced diet. The key lies in mindful consumption and preparation.

It is always wise to consult official dietary guidelines for your region for the most authoritative information on healthy eating.

Frequently Asked Questions

A single chicken tikka skewer can contain anywhere from 140 to 230 calories, depending on the size of the chunks and the marinade ingredients used.

Yes, chicken tikka can be a very healthy and beneficial food for weight loss, especially when made with lean chicken breast, low-fat yogurt, and grilled instead of pan-fried. It is high in protein, which helps with satiety.

Chicken tikka masala has a significantly higher calorie count than plain chicken tikka. The rich, creamy tomato-based sauce used in masala can add hundreds of extra calories, with a single serving often ranging from 400 to 600 calories or more.

The calorie count for 100g of chicken tikka varies, but typically falls between 120 and 160 calories. This figure depends on the cut of meat and the amount of fat used in preparation.

Boneless chicken tikka (typically breast) is generally lower in calories per cooked ounce than bone-in chicken tikka (often thigh or leg). Thigh and leg meat have more fat, which increases the calorie density, even when cooked without the skin.

Yes, removing the skin from the chicken before making tikka significantly lowers the calorie and fat content. Chicken skin is high in fat, so opting for a skinless cut is a key strategy for reducing calories.

The calorie counts are often similar, as both are grilled with yogurt-based marinades. However, tandoori chicken is typically cooked on the bone in larger pieces, while tikka is boneless and chopped. The difference is more dependent on the specific marinade and oil used rather than the cooking style.