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Is chicken tikka masala healthy?

Chicken tikka masala costs about $2.57 a serving to make at home at typical US grocery prices. Going by its main ingredients, it's a good fit for steadier blood sugar and more protein. For lower LDL cholesterol and weight loss, go easy on cream.
We've cooked it 3 times in our own kitchen this year.

By health goal

Lower LDL cholesterol
With a swap
Go easy on cream. Swapping cream for greek yogurt keeps the dish and makes it better for lower LDL cholesterol.
Steadier blood sugar
Good fit
For steadier blood sugar, greek yogurt in chicken tikka masala helps, and nothing in it works against that goal.
Lower blood pressure
Watch the sauce
Nothing in the main ingredients works against lower blood pressure, and greek yogurt helps. Most of the salt in dishes like this comes from the sauce, so go light on soy sauce or use a low-sodium one.
Weight loss
With a swap
Go easy on cream. Greek yogurt helps. Swapping cream for greek yogurt keeps the dish and makes it better for weight loss.
More protein
Good fit
For more protein, chicken thigh and greek yogurt in chicken tikka masala help, and nothing in it works against that goal.

For LDL cholesterol, with sources

0 of 5
LDL habits in this dish
Soluble fiber (oats, barley, beans, eggplant, okra, fruit)
Fish, ideally oily (salmon, mackerel, sardines)
Soy or beans in place of some meat
Nuts, seeds, olive oil or avocado
Little fatty meat, cream, butter or cheese
Go easy
cream
Cream, butter and cheese: saturated fat raises LDL.
American Heart Association
One swap each, same dish
cream to Greek yogurt stirred in off the heat, or blended silken tofu
Creamy texture with far less saturated fat

What goes in (per portion)

chicken thigh
¼ lb
cream
¼ cup
greek yogurt
¼ cup
tomato paste
1 tbsp
yellow onion
¼
garlic
¼ head
ginger
¼ knob
cilantro
¼ bunch
rice mix
¼ cup

Questions

Is chicken tikka masala healthy?

Chicken tikka masala costs about $2.57 a serving to make at home at typical US grocery prices. Going by its main ingredients, it's a good fit for steadier blood sugar and more protein. For lower LDL cholesterol and weight loss, go easy on cream.

Is chicken tikka masala good for high cholesterol?

With a swap. Go easy on cream. Swapping cream for greek yogurt keeps the dish and makes it better for lower LDL cholesterol.

Is chicken tikka masala OK for blood sugar or diabetes?

Yes, going by its main ingredients. For steadier blood sugar, greek yogurt in chicken tikka masala helps, and nothing in it works against that goal.

Is chicken tikka masala OK for high blood pressure?

Mostly, depending on the sauce. Nothing in the main ingredients works against lower blood pressure, and greek yogurt helps. Most of the salt in dishes like this comes from the sauce, so go light on soy sauce or use a low-sodium one.

Is chicken tikka masala good for weight loss?

With a swap. Go easy on cream. Greek yogurt helps. Swapping cream for greek yogurt keeps the dish and makes it better for weight loss.

Is chicken tikka masala high in protein?

Yes, going by its main ingredients. For more protein, chicken thigh and greek yogurt in chicken tikka masala help, and nothing in it works against that goal.

How much does chicken tikka masala cost to make at home?

About $2.57 a serving, or $10.28 for four servings, at typical US grocery prices, with pantry staples like soy sauce and oil counted at $0.40 a serving.

How can I make chicken tikka masala healthier?

Swap cream for greek yogurt. It keeps the dish recognizable.

Plan a week of dishes like this

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Check your own recipe
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General nutrition information, not medical advice, based on each dish's main ingredients as we cook it; sauces and salt vary by recipe. Prices are typical US grocery prices and vary by store.
Eat Healthy AF (AF as in Asian Food) is general nutrition information, not medical advice. It doesn't diagnose or treat anything. Keep your doctor in the loop, and don't change any medication without them.
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