Quick Answer
The dish chicken tikka masala was likely invented by Indian chefs in Britain in the 1970s. While many claim to have invented the dish, there is no definitive evidence of who originally came up with the recipe. Some chefs who have been credited with inventing chicken tikka masala include Ali Ahmed Aslam of Shish Mahal in Glasgow, Scotland and Manjit Singh Gill of Moti Mahal in London, England. However, the dish was likely the result of the creativity of multiple chefs adapting Indian cuisine to British tastes.
The Origins of Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken tikka masala is a popular Indian dish that consists of chicken tikka (chicken marinated in yogurt and spices and roasted in a tandoor oven) served in a creamy, tomato-based gravy.
While the origins of the dish are debated, most food historians agree it was likely created by South Asian chefs in Britain in the 1960s or 1970s to suit British tastes. At that time, Indian restaurants were growing in popularity in Britain, and chefs were experimenting with adapting traditional Indian recipes to be less spicy and match British palates.
Tikka masala sauce, while taking inspiration from Indian cooking, did not exist in authentic South Asian cuisine. The combination of tandoori chicken and a creamy gravy was completely novel and specially tailored for the British market.
Chefs Who Claim to Have Invented Chicken Tikka Masala
While no one chef can definitively be credited with inventing chicken tikka masala, there are a few origin stories from competing chefs:
Ali Ahmed Aslam
One of the most popular origin stories credits Ali Ahmed Aslam, the chef and owner of Shish Mahal restaurant in Glasgow, Scotland. According to Aslam, he invented chicken tikka masala in the 1970s when a British customer complained that his chicken tikka was too dry. Aslam added a sauce made with yogurt, cream, and spices to the dish to make it more moist and flavorful. The customer loved the improvised dish, and it soon became a regular menu item labelled “chicken tikka masala.”
Aslam’s claim is backed up by accounts that Shish Mahal was serving the dish as early as the 1970s. In 2009, the British Foreign Office even declared Glasgow the birthplace of chicken tikka masala, crediting Aslam’s invention story.
Manjit Singh Gill
Another chef, Manjit Singh Gill of the Moti Mahal restaurant in London, also claims to have invented chicken tikka masala in the 1970s. Gill says he adapted a recipe for shahi chicken masala, a creamy tomato-based dish usually made with bone-in chicken or lamb, to use boneless tandoori chicken instead. After tweaking the spices, he served it as “chicken tikka masala.”
Gill says he named the dish after the Moti Mahal restaurant, not taking any personal credit, but was the first to write down the recipe. Moti Mahal was a popular destination for India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru when he visited London in the 1950s.
Other Possible Inventors
Other chefs have also claimed to have invented versions of chicken tikka masala around the same time as Aslam and Gill in the 1960s and 70s. These include:
– Mokhtar Qureshi of a restaurant called Kanak in Leeds
– Mrs. Dass of the Jewel Balti House in Birmingham
– Micky Memon of the Tandoori Hut in East London
It’s likely that multiple chefs came up with similar recipes simultaneously to appeal to changing British tastes. The dish evolved from several creators innovating and riffing on Indian cuisine.
There are also claims that chicken tikka masala has origins in South Asia, not Britain. Some say the recipe can be traced to Punjab, India, while others say it was brought over from Bangladesh. However, most historians have debunked these claims, finding them unsubstantiated.
The Global Popularity of Chicken Tikka Masala
While its origins may be mysterious, chicken tikka masala has become one of the most popular Indian dishes around the world. Today it is served at Indian restaurants globally and is frequently called Britain’s “national dish.”
Its appeal comes from its adaptability to different cultures and cuisines. The rich, tomato-based sauce pairs well with the flavorful tandoori chicken. It manages to have complex flavors while not being too spicy for the average palette.
The following table shows some key facts about chicken tikka masala’s popularity:
| Fact | Statistic |
|---|---|
| National dish of Britain | Voted in UK 2001 poll |
| Most popular dish in UK | Served at 25% of Indian restaurants |
| Most popular dish in US | Accounts for 30% of Indian restaurant orders |
| Global popularity | Served at Indian restaurants worldwide |
While its exact origins may never be known, chicken tikka masala represents the creativity and innovation of South Asian chefs adapting traditional recipes to different cultural tastes. Its widespread popularity proves the dish’s unique, universally appealing flavors transcend borders.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while many chefs have claimed to invent chicken tikka masala, the dish was likely the result of simultaneous creativity by Indian cooks in Britain in the 1960s and 1970s. They adapted traditional Indian recipes like shahi chicken masala to appeal to British palates by reducing spice and adding cream. Competing origin stories credit chefs like Ali Ahmed Aslam of Shish Mahal and Manjit Singh Gill of Moti Mahal for early recipes, but it’s probable that multiple chefs refined and popularized variations. Today, chicken tikka masala is beloved worldwide as an icon of Indian cuisine and its adaptability. The many creators of chicken tikka masala together transformed Indian cooking and helped introduce rich South Asian recipes to the West.