Tikka
What is Tikka?
Tikka (تکه) refers to boneless chunks of marinated meat - most commonly chicken - that are skewered and cooked in a clay tandoor oven or over a direct grill until they develop a characteristic charred, slightly smoky exterior with a moist interior. The word tikka means "piece" or "chunk" in Urdu and Punjabi, and the technique of marinating meat in a spiced yogurt base before high-heat cooking is shared across the Afghan, Pakistani, and North Indian grilling traditions.
The most internationally recognisable form is chicken tikka - boneless chicken marinated in yogurt, ginger, garlic, and spices, then cooked in a tandoor until the marinade chars and caramelises on the surface while the meat inside stays juicy. At Naan Kabob, the Chicken Tandoori Kabob reflects this tradition: chicken marinated in the house spice blend and cooked over high heat to produce the char and flavour that defines tikka-style preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between tikka and seekh kabob?
Tikka uses chunks of whole marinated meat. Seekh kabob uses ground meat pressed onto a skewer. Both are cooked over high heat, but the texture and eating experience are entirely different. Tikka is firm, juicy chunks; seekh is a more uniform, sausage-like result.
Is chicken tikka the same as chicken tikka masala?
No. Chicken tikka is the grilled marinated chicken. Chicken tikka masala is a British dish in which chicken tikka is added to a cream-tomato curry sauce - a combination invented in the UK rather than on the subcontinent. At Naan Kabob, tikka-style chicken is served as grilled kabob, not in a masala sauce. The result is a cleaner, more aromatic flavour with genuine char from the grill rather than artificial colour.
See also: Seekh Kabob ,Marination .
Tikka-style chicken kabob at Naan Kabob - grilled fresh at every location across Toronto and the GTA.
