Foodies always like to explore the culinary world and enjoy food of different tastes. Brisbane, an Australian city, offers diverse options to ensure a great experience. If the local Australian dishes make you feel bored, try out Indian cuisine in a restaurant.
To start your meal with a mouth-watering appetiser, order a tikka right now. Chicken tikka is a delicious choice for non-vegetarians. But if you don't prefer meat, go for paneer tikka in the best Indian restaurant in Brisbane.
However, how does chicken tikka differ from the paneer-infused version? Understand the difference before placing an order in a Brisbane restaurant.
Ingredients for preparing tikkas- Paneer versus chicken
Chicken tikka is an appetising starter infused with luscious boneless chicken. As the small pieces of chicken are marinated with spices, they get aromatic. That's why most non-vegetarians love this savoury dish. Spices and yoghurt make the chicken tender. The meat-based version will allow you to enjoy juicy bites.
On the contrary, the paneer tikka is a lip-smacking Indian starter for vegetarians in Brisbane. The fresh Indian cheese and soft paneers give the best feeling to the taste buds. The creamy texture of paneer absorbs the ingredients used for marination. Like chicken tikka, this veg version has flavours of spices. As paneer contains protein, it will make your meal nutritious.
Marination details for tikkas
The marination process is highly important for both tikkas to make them tastier. However, as their textures are unique, the results are different.
The ingredients used for marinating paneer are-
- Cumin
- Yoghurt
- Turmeric
- Coriander
- Garam masala
- Lemon juice
- Mustard oil
Let the paneer absorb the spices well until it becomes creamy.
On the contrary, the ingredients for marinating chicken tikka are-
- Yogurt
- Ginger-garlic paste
- Red chilli
- Paprika
- Garam masala
The yogurt makes the meat soft over time. Moreover, when spices reach the deeper layers of chicken, you will experience an intense flavour.
Preparation methods
Many Indian food lovers like to prepare tikkas in their kitchens. So, the Brisbane restaurants have included the dish on their menus. The traditional cooking style involves using an Indian clay oven to produce a smoky flavour.
Most foodies love the meaty textures of chicken in the tikka. However, it takes longer to cook the pieces. The outer side of the chicken tikkas is smoky and crispy, but the inside is tender and moist.
On the contrary, the paneer preparation time is comparatively short. The grilling method will make the exterior side charred, where the inside remains soft.
Flavour comparison- Paneer versus chicken tikkas
With every bite of the paneer tikka, you will experience a mild flavour of spices. Most vegetarians love this spicy tone. The tangy marinade and creamy texture are also universally appealing. If you are looking for a light starter for your meal, order this Indian food in the restaurant.
Chicken tikkas are best for those preferring intense and robust flavours. The juicy chicken and smoky marinade have made the dish yummier.
Nutritional value of chicken and paneer tikkas
Paneer tikka is a dairy-based starter containing fat and protein. Paneer is a good alternative to meat, although it has a high-calorie content. But chicken tikka is a low-fat dish with a minimal calorie. So, both these starters will provide nutritional value.
You can visit an Indian restaurant in Brisbane to enjoy both dishes. The best restaurants will serve the starter with lemon wedges and mint chutney. As the spices in tikka produce heat, the chutneys will balance it out with coolness. So, order these Indian foods with other dishes in Brisbane.