Chicken tikka calories and macros
Real numbers for 1 plate (150 g), calculated from a stated recipe. We show our work below.
One plate of chicken tikka (150 g) has roughly 250 calories, with about 30 g protein, 5 g carbohydrate, and 12 g fat. Chicken tikka is boneless chicken marinated in spiced yogurt and grilled in a tandoor, and it is one of the highest-protein, lowest-carb dishes in all of Indian food. Because it is grilled dry rather than simmered in gravy, almost all of its calories come from the chicken itself, with a little from the oil or butter used to baste it. That gives it an excellent protein-to-calorie ratio, around 30 g of protein for 250 calories, which is why it is a staple for people building muscle or eating high-protein. A home version with minimal basting is near 220, while a restaurant plate brushed with butter crosses 290. Unlike chicken tikka masala, which drops these grilled pieces into a rich cream gravy, plain chicken tikka stays lean. For a high-protein starter or meal, it is hard to beat.
250calories
Protein
30 g
Carbs
5 g
Fat
12 g
How we calculated this
- Boneless chicken, cooked130 g
- Yogurt marinade15 g
- Oil or butter for basting5 g
One plate of grilled chicken tikka, dry. No gravy. Restaurant versions basted with more butter run higher.
Ingredient values from USDA FoodData Central. Cross referenced against IFCT 2017 (ICMR-NIN).
Confidence: high
How the preparation changes it
| Style | Calories | Protein (g) | Carbs (g) | Fat (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home, minimal bastingGrilled with little added fat. | 220 | 30 | 4 | 9 |
| Restaurant chicken tikkaThe standard plate. Headline number. | 250 | 30 | 5 | 12 |
| Butter-basted, richGenerously basted with butter. | 300 | 30 | 6 | 18 |
Common questions
How many calories in a plate of chicken tikka?
About 250 for a 150 g plate, with around 30 g protein. A home version is near 220, a butter-basted restaurant plate about 300. It is one of the highest-protein Indian dishes.
Is chicken tikka good for weight loss and muscle gain?
Excellent for both: about 30 g protein for 250 calories, very low carbohydrate, and grilled rather than fried or gravied. Keep the basting light and it is one of the best high-protein choices on the menu.
What is the difference between chicken tikka and chicken tikka masala?
Chicken tikka is the dry grilled chicken, about 250 calories a plate and 30 g protein. Chicken tikka masala drops those pieces into a cream-and-tomato gravy, which pushes it to roughly 300 a katori with more fat. The tikka alone is the leaner option.
Related dishes
Katori counts this for you
Snap one photo and get these numbers for your actual plate, not a generic entry. Built for Indian food first.
Join the waitlist