Calories in Chicken Tikka: Nutrition, Portions, and Diet Tips
Calories in Chicken Tikka: Nutrition, Portions, and Diet Tips
Chicken Tikka, when it is plain roasted chicken breast meat, has 165.0 kcal per 100 g. One normal serving, 1 piece breast (about 120 g), comes to 198.0 kcal with 37.2 g of protein, 0.0 g of carbohydrate, and 4.3 g of fat. This is one of the higher protein items on a Pakistani menu, and the portion size is what decides how it fits into your day.
Nutrition Facts for Chicken Tikka
| Food | Calories (kcal) | Protein (g) | Carbohydrate (g) | Fat (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Tikka, per 100 g | 165.0 | 31.0 | 0.0 | 3.6 |
| Chicken Tikka, 1 piece breast (about 120 g) | 198.0 | 37.2 | 0.0 | 4.3 |
Per 100 g, the protein is 31.0 g, the carbohydrate is 0.0 g, and the fat is 3.6 g. For the serving of 1 piece breast (about 120 g), you get 198.0 kcal, 37.2 g protein, 0.0 g carbohydrate, and 4.3 g fat.
These values describe lean breast meat only, cooked and roasted, from USDA FoodData Central, Chicken, broilers or fryers, breast, meat only, cooked, roasted (fdcId 171477). Homemade and restaurant Chicken Tikka is usually marinated in dahi, lemon, ginger, garlic, and spices, and it may be brushed with oil or butter before grilling. That marinade can add a little fat, and any gravy or butter finish adds more. So treat the table above as a clean baseline, and expect a slightly richer plate when you eat out.
Chicken Tikka Portions in Pakistani Kitchens
The serving we use on this page is 1 piece breast (about 120 g), which is 198.0 kcal. In a Pakistani kitchen, one tikka piece from a whole breast can easily be larger than that, and a small piece can be smaller. Weighing the cooked piece once or twice at home gives you a feel for what 1 piece breast (about 120 g) really looks like on your own plate.
What goes beside the tikka matters as much as the tikka itself. A naan or roti, a bowl of raita, chutney, and a fried side each bring their own calories, so the plate adds up quickly even though the chicken alone is modest. If you are tracking intake, log the chicken first using 198.0 kcal for 1 piece breast (about 120 g), then add the sides separately. Grilled pieces served with salad and raita keep the meal lighter than pieces served with paratha and heavy chutney.
Chicken Tikka Compared With Other Foods
On the same weight basis, Chicken Tikka at 165.0 kcal per 100 g is lighter than both Tandoori Chicken, which has 205.0 kcal per 100 g (1 leg piece (about 140 g): 287.0 kcal), and Fried Chicken, which has 298.0 kcal per 100 g (1 piece (about 140 g): 417.2 kcal). The gap mainly comes from the cut and the cooking method, since frying adds oil and the leg piece carries more fat than the breast. If you are choosing between these at a restaurant, the tikka breast piece is the leaner option per bite, while the fried piece is the most calorie dense on the table.
Is Chicken Tikka Good for Weight Loss?
Chicken Tikka can fit well into a calorie controlled diet because it gives you a lot of protein for a modest calorie cost. It does not, on its own, cause weight loss, and no single food does. What decides the outcome is the size of your portion, what you eat it with, and how the rest of your day looks.
Because 1 piece breast (about 120 g) is 198.0 kcal and carries 37.2 g protein, it can help you feel full, which makes it easier to stay within your daily calorie target. The risk is rarely the chicken. It is the extras, the paratha, the fried sides, the refills of soft drink, and eating several large tikka pieces in one sitting without noticing. Keep the portion to 1 piece breast (about 120 g), keep the carbohydrate at 0.0 g by skipping the bread or counting it separately, and you stay in control.
How to Eat Chicken Tikka Wisely
- Order or grill breast pieces rather than leg pieces or fried versions, so you keep the 165.0 kcal per 100 g profile instead of a higher one.
- Weigh one cooked piece at home so that 1 piece breast (about 120 g) becomes a familiar, repeatable portion for you.
- Log the chicken on its own first, 198.0 kcal per piece, then add roti, chutney, raita, or drink separately so nothing gets missed.
- Pair it with salad or a vegetable dish instead of fried sides, and keep sauces on the side so you can decide how much you actually want.
Who Should Be Careful
If you have diabetes, are pregnant, or live with a kidney or heart condition, speak with a qualified doctor before making big changes to how much chicken you eat or what you eat with it. Protein needs, salt intake from marinades and restaurant seasoning, and overall calorie targets are personal, and only your doctor knows your full health picture. If you take any supplement alongside a diet change, check the DRAP safety guide and ask your doctor first.
FAQ
How many calories are in Chicken Tikka? Plain roasted chicken breast meat, the basis for Chicken Tikka here, has 165.0 kcal per 100 g. A serving of 1 piece breast (about 120 g) has 198.0 kcal. Restaurant pieces with marinade, oil, or butter finish may be slightly higher.
Is Chicken Tikka good for weight loss? It can be part of a weight loss plan because it is high in protein and moderate in calories, with 37.2 g protein in 1 piece breast (about 120 g). It does not cause weight loss by itself. Portions, sides, and your total daily intake decide the result.
How does Chicken Tikka compare with Fried Chicken? Chicken Tikka has 165.0 kcal per 100 g, while Fried Chicken has 298.0 kcal per 100 g (1 piece (about 140 g): 417.2 kcal). Per serving, that is 198.0 kcal for 1 piece breast (about 120 g) of tikka against 417.2 kcal for a fried piece, so the grilled option is the lighter choice when you are counting calories.
If weight management is the goal, the calorie calculator can help you plan the day, and Active Detox is available at Clinicaly with the all products range.
Browse more values in our Pakistani food calories database, or reach us through the contact page. You can also read about Clinicaly.
Data source: USDA FoodData Central, Chicken, broilers or fryers, breast, meat only, cooked, roasted, fdcId 171477. Values per 100 g; serving values are approximate.
Medical disclaimer: this page is for general information only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified doctor before changing your diet.