What Sauce Goes with Chicken Tikka? (13 Best Sauces)

I love the smell of chicken tikka wafting through the house.

It’s a smell that always makes me feel hungry!

But the best part of chicken tikka is the sauce!

There are so many delicious sauces that go with chicken tikka.

From cooling raita to fiery hot sauces, there’s something for everyone.

I’ve rounded up my 13 favorite sauces for chicken tikka.

Trust me, these sauces will take your meal from good to great!

See Also: 10 Best Types of Rice For Tikka Masala

What Sauce Goes with Chicken Tikka?

The best sauces for chicken tikka are usually yogurt-based, like raita, or tomato-based, like ketchup or chutney. You can also use a mint sauce or a tamarind sauce. If you want something more spicy, try a vindaloo sauce or a piri piri sauce.

If you want more ideas, then keep scrolling!

Here are 13 sauces that go with chicken tikka:

1. Raita

A creamy, cooling Indian yogurt-based sauce, raita is perfect for chicken tikka.

You can adjust the thickness and creaminess of raita by adding more or less yogurt.

For a thinner consistency, add water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.

To make raita spicier, add finely chopped green chili peppers, cayenne pepper, or ground black pepper to taste.

For a sweeter raita, add honey or sugar to taste.

Finally, for extra flavor, stir in fresh chopped mint leaves before serving.

2. Ketchup

Ketchup is easy to find in any grocery store and it makes for a great sauce to serve with chicken tikka.

You can adjust the taste of the ketchup by adding in different spices such as garam masala, cumin, coriander, and chili powder.

If you want a thinner consistency, simply add in some water.

For a thicker sauce, add in some tomato paste.

You can also adjust the sweetness of the ketchup by adding more or less sugar.

3. Mango Chutney

Mango chutney reminds me of my childhood and always takes me back to those warm summer days.

It’s the perfect sauce to serve with chicken tikka because it is sweet, tangy, and has a bit of heat to it.

You can find mango chutney at most grocery stores in the international aisle.

If you want a thinner sauce, you can add a little water or coconut milk to it.

If you want it to be spicy, you can add more chili powder or fresh chili peppers to it.

And if you want it to be sweeter, you can add a little honey or brown sugar to it.

4. Mint Sauce

Mint sauce is known for being great with lamb, but it is also a fantastic option for chicken tikka.

This particular sauce is very easy to make and can be done in just a few minutes.

All you need is some mint leaves, sugar, white vinegar, and water.

You can blend all of these ingredients together or chop up the mint leaves very finely and mix everything together that way.

The choice is yours and both options will work great.

The main thing is to get the flavor balance right.

You want the sauce to be slightly sweet, slightly sour, and have a good punch of mint flavor.

Taste as you go and adjust the flavors to your liking.

You can always add more sugar if it needs it or more vinegar if you want it to be a bit more tart.

5. 5-Minute Tamarind Sauce

If you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen making a complicated sauce to go with your chicken tikka, then this 5-minute tamarind sauce is perfect for you!

This sauce is sweet, sour, and slightly spicy all at the same time.

The tamarind paste gives it a unique flavor that you won’t be able to get enough of.

To make the sauce, simply combine all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

If you want a thinner consistency, simply add more water until you reach the desired consistency.

You can adjust the taste of the sauce by adding more or less sugar, tamarind paste, or chili flakes.

So feel free to experiment until you find the perfect balance of flavors for your taste buds.

6. Vindaloo Paste

This is the perfect combo of spicy and tangy, and it really brings out the flavor of the chicken tikka.

You can find vindaloo paste at most Indian markets, or you can make your own using this recipe.

To adjust the taste, add more or less vindaloo paste to the yogurt mixture.

If you want a thinner sauce, add more yogurt.

For a thicker sauce, add less yogurt.

You can also thin out the sauce by adding water, a little at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.

7. Piri Piri Sauce

A traditional African sauce made from African Bird’s Eye chiles, piri piri sauce is perfect for chicken tikka.

The chiles give the sauce a nice, spicy kick that complements the flavors of the chicken perfectly.

You can adjust the heat level of the sauce by adding more or less chiles, depending on your preferences.

If you want a thinner sauce, you can add some water or chicken broth to thin it out.

For a thicker sauce, simply cook it down for longer until it reaches your desired consistency.

8. Roasted Red Pepper Aioli

Aioli can be as simple or complex as you like, but the classic version is made with garlic, egg yolks, olive oil, and lemon juice.

This sauce is perfect for chicken tikka because it has a smooth texture and a slightly tangy flavor that pairs well with the spiced chicken.

1. To make this sauce, start by roasting red peppers over an open flame until they are blackened all over.
2. Then, place them in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap to steam.
3. Once they are cooled, remove the skins and seeds and place them in a blender with the other ingredients.
4. Blend until smooth and adjust the seasoning to taste.

For a thinner sauce, add more olive oil or lemon juice.

For a thicker sauce, add more roasted peppers or an extra egg yolk.

9. Spiced Apple Chutney

Not too sweet and not too sour, this spiced apple chutney is the perfect sauce to serve with chicken tikka!

The chutney is made with apples, onion, vinegar, sugar, and a variety of spices.

You can adjust the sweetness and spice level to your liking by adding more or less sugar and chili powder.

This chutney is best served cold or at room temperature.

If you want a thinner consistency, simply add a little water until you reach the desired consistency.

Serve this chutney on the side for dipping or spoon it over your chicken tikka before serving.

10. Tomato Sauce

Tomato sauces come in many different varieties, which makes them a versatile option for chicken tikka.

You can find tomato sauces that are smooth or chunky, sweet or savory, and mild or spicy.

To choose the right tomato sauce for your chicken tikka, first consider what kind of flavor you want.

If you’re looking for a sweet sauce, try a marinara or a tomato-based barbecue sauce.

For a savory sauce, go for a puttanesca or arrabbiata.

And if you like it spicy, opt for a hot chili sauce or salsa.

Once you’ve selected your desired flavor profile, decide on the level of spiciness and heat you want.

Tomato sauces can be very mild or they can pack quite a punch.

If you’re not sure how much heat you can handle, start with a milder sauce and add more spice as needed.

You can always tone down the heat by adding more tomato puree or milk to the dish.

11. Curry Sauce

When has curry sauce ever let us down?

The answer is never.

This sauce is perfect for chicken tikka and can be easily made at home with a few simple ingredients.

All you need for this curry sauce is some coconut milk, red curry paste, fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar.

Simply combine all the ingredients in a pan and cook until it reaches the desired consistency.

If you want a thinner sauce, simply add more coconut milk.

If you want it to be thicker, let it cook for longer or add less coconut milk.

As for the taste, you can adjust the amount of curry paste and sugar to make it as spicy or sweet as you like.

The lime juice adds a lovely zing to the dish that really rounds out all the flavors.

12. Yogurt Sauce for Chicken Tikka

Creamy with garlic and herbs, this yogurt sauce is perfect for chicken dishes!

It’s also really easy to make and you can adjust the taste and texture to your liking.

To make the sauce, simply combine yogurt, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

If you want a thinner sauce, add more yogurt.

For a thicker sauce, add less yogurt.

You can also add more or less garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper to taste.

This sauce is best served cold or at room temperature.

13. Garlic Sauce

This sauce is a creamy, garlicky, sour cream-based sauce that is perfect for chicken tikka!

It is rich and flavorful, yet light enough that it does not overpower the delicate flavors of the chicken.

You can adjust the taste by adding more or less lemon juice, and the texture by thinning it out with a little water or milk if you like.