Be it for a Friday movie night, the perfect mid-week lunch box, or a friendly weekend pic nic, this delicious chicken tikka sandwich recipe is the ideal go-to option! Juicy chicken marinated and grilled to perfection, with a crunchy tomato and onion salad, all dressed with a spicy yet fresh green chutney, is the perfect sandwich filler that is easy and tasty, ideal for any occasion.
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You may have tried a chicken tikka sandwich filler from a random grocery store before, and you may not have been impressed. Honestly, I can't blame you!
Forget thick and sweet mayonnaise sauces that take hours to digest, dry bread, and chewy chicken pieces covered in very odd-tasting curry powder. If that's what you want, this recipe is not it.
This chicken tikka sandwich recipe is quick, tasty, and easy to prepare, and before you even start, I can summarize it in very few lines.
The diced chicken is marinated in a delicious yogurt and spice mixture and then grilled to a charred perfection [while still remaining juicy!].
Fresh cilantro and green chilli chutney is used to dress the crunchy onion and tomato salad, and - if you like - some extra is spread on your bread of choice.
Will you use thick slices of spelt bread? White English stile baps? Or freshly baked baguettes?
Whatever you decide to go to, I can tell you: this IS the chicken tikka sandwich you want to have!
Chicken Tikka Sandwich Ingredients
- Diced Chicken: Choose your favorite cut of skinless and boneless chicken. Thighs have higher fat content and will remain nice and juicy, however, chicken breast will work well too, as it will marinate with yogurt, which will keep it moist.
- Lemon Juice, Ginger Garlic Paste, Tomato Puree, Full Fat Natural Yogurt: Lemon [or lime] juice helps keep the green chutney nice and bright green and it offers some tanginess to the marinade. Ginger garlic paste and tomato puree bring color, tanginess, and dept to the chicken tikka. The yogurt is used in both the marinade and the chutney; for cooking it is always best to use full-fat natural yogurt.
- Turmeric Powder, Kashmiri Chilli Powder, Cumin Powder, Chaat Masala, and Coriander Powder: These spices are used to marinate the chicken, and very little is needed to offer the depth of flavor needed. Chaat masala is also used in the green chutney and this, being a mix of spices, may offer a different taste depending on the brand; we like to use Everest Chaat Masala the most.
- Cilantro [Fresh Coriander], and Garlic Cloves: Fresh and essential for the perfect green chutney.
- Onion, and Tomato: For the crunchy salad.
- Salt to Taste
How To Make A Chicken Tikka Sandwich?
- Chop the skinless and boneless chicken into strips.
- Prepare the chicken tikka marinade with lemon juice, ginger garlic paste, tomato puree, Kashmiri chili powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, chaat masala, coriander powder, full-fat yogurt and salt, mix well and use it to coat the chicken.
- Allow the chicken to marinate for as long as possible before cooking it in the oven; should you prefer, this can also be cooked on a grilling pan or on the barbeque directly!
- To prepare the homemade green chutney blitz together all of the green chutney ingredients on the list except for the yogurt, of which you will add only one tablespoon.
- This will work as the 'wet ingredient' for blending, but you will need to keep the rest of the yogurt aside to mix in later, as this will allow you to achieve a nice creamy consistency for the green chutney.
- For the crunchy salad, julienne some juicy red tomatoes and onions and dress it with a spoon of the green chutney.
- Bake the bread as per packaging instructions, if purchasing partly baked. If using pre-baked bread slices or bun, you're ready to assemble.
- Add the crunchy salad, green chutney, and chicken tikka sandwich filler to the bread and serve with a side of choice.
People Also Ask [FAQs]
What is chicken tikka?
The word tikka means 'pieces' or 'bits' in Persian, with words very similar to it meaning the same in Azerbaijan and Turkey.
Chicken Tikka originated in the Indian Subcontinent and it is made of chicken cubes that have been marinated in dahi (yogurt) and a spice mix, and then cooked on a skewer.
How to store chicken tikka?
- Raw in the fridge: The marinated chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.
- Cooked in the fridge: The chicken tikka sandwich filler can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to three days.
- Raw in the freezer: The marinated chicken cubes can be frozen in a freezer bag or airtight container for up to three months. Fully thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking.
- Cooked in the freezer: The cooked chicken tikka sandwich filler can be stored in the freezer in an airtight container or a freezer bag for up to three months. Fully thaw overnight in the fridge before warming up thoroughly and serving.
How to store green chutney?
- In the fridge: The green chutney can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to three days. Always use a clean spoon when removing the amount needed.
- In the freezer: I would not recommend freezing the green chutney, as it tastes best freshly made.
Tips and Tricks for Chicken Tikka Sandwich
- Chicken Temperature: Take the chicken out of the fridge 15 minutes before cooking. This will help it get closer to room temp, keeping it juicy and not chewy once cooked.
- Curry Powder: This recipe calls for very simple spices and there is no need to use curry powder mixes, which may be overpowering to the whole recipe.
- Red Chili Powder: If you like to add a chick to your chicken tikka sandwich filler, then add some red chili powder to the marinade. Kashmiri chili powder tends to be milder in heat, and brighter in color, so choose the option that suits your tastebuds better.
- Crunchy Salad: You can put any raw vegetables you like! Good additions are a banana shallot, some thinly sliced white cabbage, grated carrot, julienned red pepper, or a few spring onions or scallions.
- Frying Pan, Grill, or Bake: You can cook the chicken your preferred way. Should you have the oven on, then bake them, however, if you like your chicken grilled or lightly pan-fried, then add a little vegetable oil to your pan and ensure you get a nice char.
- Green Chutney: It needs only a little lemon [or lime] juice, however, this will help the chutney maintain its bright green color.
Make chicken tikka your go-tp option!
Crunchy veggies, bright and spicy green chutney, delicious chicken tikka sandwich filler, what more can one want?
Pick your favorite bread, and you're set, and if you enjoy the recipe, please let me know in the comments!
🥗 For more inspiration, have a look at these:
🍽️ Recipe
Yummy Chicken Tikka Sandwich with Green Chutney
A delicious sandwich filler, easy to prepare and perfect for any event.
Ingredients
- 320 g Skinless Boneless Chicken Thighs or Breast
- 2 Baguettes or bread of choice
- For the marinade
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice or Lime Juice
- 1 tablespoon Ginger Garlic Paste
- 15 g Tomato Puree
- ½ teaspoon Kashmiri Chili Powder or Red Chili Powder
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- ½ teaspoon Cumin Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Chaat Masala
- 1 teaspoon Coriander Powder
- 100 g Full Fat Natural Set White Yogurt
- For the Green Chutney
- 30 g Cilantro Fresh Coriander
- 1 Garlic Clove
- ¼ teaspoon Chaat Masala
- ¼ teaspoon Lemon Juice
- 1 Fresh Green Chili Adjust to Taste
- Salt to taste
- 50 g Full Fat Natural Set White Yogurt
- For the Salad
- 50 g Fresh Red Onion
- 50 g Fresh Tomato
- To Garnish
Instructions
Prepare the chicken tikka
- Preheat the oven to 350* F [180*C Fan Oven].
- On a cutting board, cut the chicken into thin pieces and put them in a large mixing bowl.
- In a small bowl, add all of the marinade ingredients and mix them well, until the color becomes uniform, then add the mix to the chicken.
- Ensure each piece of chicken is thoroughly covered with the marinade, then cover the bowl and set aside to flavor and rest for at least half an hour.
- Cook the marinated chicken breasts in the preheated oven; these will be cooked in about 20 minutes. Once thoroughly cooked, remove from the oven and set aside.
Prepare the green chutney
- In an upside-down blender, blend the cilantro [fresh coriander], garlic, chaat masala, lemon juice, green chili, salt, and one teaspoon of the yogurt. Do not put all of the yogurt in the blender, as this will make the chutney very liquid.
- Once this is blended and smooth, put in a small bowl and add the rest of the yogurt a bit at a time, mixing with a spoon. Once done, taste for salt and spiciness, adjust, and set asie.
Prepare the salad
- Prepare the salad by thinly slicing the tomatoes and the onions, then dress them with a tablespoon of the green chutney and mix well.
Chicken tikka sandwich
- To serve, fill each baguette with half the salad and half the chicken tikka sandwich filler. Add some green chutney on top to taste, and serve with your favorite sides.
Notes
How to store chicken tikka?
- Raw in the fridge: The marinated chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.
- Cooked in the fridge: The chicken tikka sandwich filler can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to three days.
- Raw in the freezer: The marinated chicken cubes can be frozen in a freezer bag or airtight container for up to three months. Fully thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking.
- Cooked in the freezer: The cooked chicken tikka sandwich filler can be stored in the freezer in an airtight container or a freezer bag for up to three months. Fully thaw overnight in the fridge before warming up thoroughly and serving.
How to store green chutney?
- In the fridge: The green chutney can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to three days. Always use a clean spoon when removing the amount needed.
- In the freezer: I would not recommend freezing the green chutney, as it tastes best freshly made.
Other points:
- Crunchy Salad: You can put any raw vegetables you like! Good additions are a banana shallot, some thinly sliced white cabbage, grated carrot, julienned red pepper, or a few spring onions or scallions.
- Frying Pan, Grill, or Bake: You can cook the chicken your preferred way. Should you have the oven on, then bake them, however, if you like your chicken grilled or lightly pan-fried, then add a little vegetable oil to your pan and ensure you get a nice char.
- Green Chutney: It needs only a little lemon [or lime] juice, however, this will help the chutney maintain its bright green color.
Nutrition
Calories: 460kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 31gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 1368mgPotassium: 642mgFiber: 4gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 768IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 199mgIron: 5mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Grant L.
Great idea, loved the green chutney! Thankyou for the post.
Elle
Thank you, Grant!
Mihaela
I always thought Tikka was something very difficult to make and preferred the takeaways, but your instructions for this sandwich are so clear and easy to follow that I will have to give it a go!
Elle
Thank you, Mihaela!
Toni
I love how flavorful it is! And it is so quick and easy to make!
Elle
Thank you, Toni!
Brianna
These sandwiches were amazing! SO much flavor and that green chutney salad really makes it!
Elle
I'm glad to hear so, Brianna!
Marcellina
Haha, so true! Crazy some of the combinations that restaurants come up with. Instead, this chicken tikka baguette is right up my alley. Can't wait to try your recipe. Thanks!
Elle
Thank you, Marcellina! Can't wait to hear your thoughts!
Gloria
You can never go wrong with a great chicken recipe. I love the sound of this. Perfect for feeding a crowd too.
Elle
Thank you, Gloria! Yes, perfect for barbecue day as well!
Hallie
Great to see such healthy sandwich choices!!
Elle
That's the way to go, Hallie! Healthy and tasty all the way! ?
Louis
A beautiful post, Elle. Always so inspiring to see such easy recipes. Lovely read. x
Elle
Thank you, Louis! ? ?