Chicken Tikka Masala in Sherwood Park at The Butter Kitchen

Chicken Tikka Masala starts in the tandoor. The chicken is grilled first, then folded into a tomato-cream masala sauce built separately with a bolder spice profile than Butter Chicken. The Butter Kitchen Restaurant does both right. Two steps. One exceptional dish. That's why the flavour hits differently.

Chicken Tikka Masala vs. Butter Chicken: what's the actual difference?

Most people compare these two because they're both creamy, both rich, both on every North Indian menu. But they're built on opposite approaches.

Butter Chicken is poached first, cream-forward. Softness and richness hit upfront. The sauce is mild, buttery, slightly sweet from the tomato. It's the choice when you want comfort on a plate.

Chicken Tikka Masala takes the opposite path. The chicken gets tandoor-grilled first, getting a charred exterior and smoky depth. Then it folds into a sauce that's spicier, more aromatic, layered with garam masala and fresh spices that build and build. You taste complexity in every bite. This is the dish you order when you want heat and texture working together.

We make both. If you've loved our Butter Chicken, the Tikka Masala is what happens when we take that same foundation and turn up the spice dial. Same quality ingredients. Totally different intention.

How The Butter Kitchen builds the masala sauce

Here's where the craft shows. We don't blend pre-made masala paste into cream and call it done. We build the sauce from the ground up.

First, the chicken. We marinate it in yogurt with ginger, garlic, and spices for hours. This isn't a 20-minute dunk. The yogurt tenderizes the meat and lets the spices seep in. Then the tandoor oven. We char each piece until the outside is dark and smoky, but the inside stays juicy. Takes focus. The line between charred and burnt is narrow.

While the tikka chars, we build the sauce separately. Whole tomatoes go into the pan and stay there until they collapse and char — 15 minutes minimum. Most kitchens skip this. We don't. The charring deepens the sugars through caramelization, softens the acidity. It's nothing like raw tomato. Then we add the base layer: onions, ginger, garlic, our house-ground garam masala, cumin, coriander, cloves. These spices we grind ourselves, not from a jar that's been sitting for a year. Fresh spices pop. Old ones taste like dust.

The sauce simmers until it's thick and glossy. Then we fold in the grilled tikka pieces and finish with cream and butter. The cream goes in at the last moment. Too early and the acid breaks it. Too late and it just floats. Timing matters. This is why our Chicken Tikka Masala in Sherwood Park takes time. It's not shortcut cooking.

Best pairings: garlic naan and mango lassi

Chicken Tikka Masala alone is bold and filling. But pair it right, and it becomes a moment.

Start with Garlic Naan. It comes out of the tandoor brushed with butter and fresh garlic. It's warm, pillowy, perfect for scooping the last pools of sauce. The naan cuts through the richness of the masala. Don't order one. Order two. Most regulars do.

Then add Mango Lassi. It's a yogurt drink with fresh mango, served cold. Between bites of the spiced curry, the lassi cools your palate and adds sweetness that balances the heat. One sip explains why it's on every table. It's not optional. It's the rest that makes the meal work.

If you're dining in with a group, also consider our Butter Chicken. Two curries at the table give you range. Tikka Masala for the spice lovers, Butter Chicken for those who want softness. Both are house specialties passed down through our founder's family. Both deserve a spot.

Serving Sherwood Park and east Strathcona County

We deliver Chicken Tikka Masala throughout Sherwood Park. Most of our regular orders come from Clarkdale Meadows and Regency Park, where folks know we don't use shortcuts. We also serve Summerwood, Lakeland Village, and the surrounding communities. If you're anywhere east of Edmonton, we're your closest source for slow-cooked Indian food.

Located at 120 Wye Rd, we're easy to reach from Anthony Henday Drive and Yellowhead Trail. Easy parking. Warm dining room if you want to sit. Fast service because we respect your time but won't compromise on quality.

How to order — dine-in, pickup, or delivery

You've got options. Dine-in: walk in and sit down. The restaurant is warm and welcoming. Naan comes out of the tandoor oven. Curry lands on a proper plate, hot. This is the full experience. Pickup: order online at The Butter Kitchen or call 780-400-1790. It's ready in 20-30 minutes, and the curry holds its heat well in takeout containers. Delivery: we'll bring it throughout Sherwood Park and the surrounding areas. Monday to Wednesday 12:00 PM - 10:30 PM, Thursday 3:00 PM - 10:30 PM, Friday and Saturday 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM, Sunday 12:00 PM - 9:30 PM.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Chicken Tikka Masala and Butter Chicken?

Chicken Tikka Masala starts with tandoor-grilled chicken tikka, which is then folded into a bolder, spice-forward masala sauce. Butter Chicken uses poached or lightly cooked chicken and finishes with a creamier, milder tomato-cream base. Tikka Masala has more heat and complexity; Butter Chicken is softer and more buttery.

How does The Butter Kitchen make their Chicken Tikka Masala?

We marinate chicken in yogurt and spices, then char it in the tandoor oven. Once the tikka has a charred exterior and smoky flavour, we fold it into a masala sauce simmered separately with tomatoes, cream, garam masala, and house-ground spices. The result is a curry with layers: smoky from the tandoor, bold from the spices, creamy from the finish.

What should I order with Chicken Tikka Masala?

Pair Chicken Tikka Masala with Garlic Naan to scoop the sauce. Add a Mango Lassi to cool your palate between bites. If you're sharing, order two dishes at the table. The bold spice of the tikka masala plays beautifully against the creamy sweetness of the lassi.

Can I get Chicken Tikka Masala for delivery in Sherwood Park?

Yes. We deliver throughout Sherwood Park and surrounding areas including Clarkdale Meadows, Regency Park, and Summerwood. Order online at thebutterkitchen.ca or call 780-400-1790. We're open Monday to Wednesday 12:00 PM to 10:30 PM, Thursday 3:00 PM to 10:30 PM, Friday and Saturday 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and Sunday 12:00 PM to 9:30 PM.