Inside Our Kitchen: Chicken Tikka Masala at Pesona Lounge Ubud
When you sit down for an Indian meal, you see the finished dish. What you do not always see is the preparation behind it: the marinade, the time at the grill, and the work that happens before the sauce is added.
At Pesona Lounge Ubud, our Chicken Tikka Masala starts with chicken marinated in spiced yoghurt. We then grill it before combining it with a spiced tomato gravy. Each stage contributes something to the dish, from the tender texture of the chicken to its aromatic seasoning and grilled flavour.
If you are looking for an Indian restaurant in Ubud and would like to know a little more about what you are ordering, here is a look inside our preparation.
Flavour Begins with the Chicken
We use a spiced yoghurt marinade to prepare the chicken before grilling. It helps give the meat a tender texture and brings aromatic seasoning to the chicken itself.
That is an important part of how we make this dish. The gravy has plenty of flavour, but the chicken should also be enjoyable on its own. Marinating it first gives us that foundation.
When you take a bite, you are tasting the preparation of the meat as well as the sauce around it.
A Stop at the Grill Before the Gravy
After marinating, we grill the chicken.
This step develops colour on the outside and adds a roasted character. Once the chicken is combined with the gravy, those qualities become part of the curry.
It is a detail that can be easy to miss when looking at the finished plate. The sauce covers much of the chicken, but there is a separate cooking stage behind it. Our Chicken Tikka Masala begins with marinated, grilled chicken before it becomes the dish served at your table.
Bringing the Dish Together
The grilled chicken is combined with a spiced tomato gravy, which coats the pieces and brings the preparation together.
The pleasure of the dish comes from eating these elements in the same mouthful: tender chicken, aromatic spices, flavour from the grill and the gravy.
If you are choosing between this and our Burrata Butter Chicken, our guide to butter chicken vs chicken tikka masala explains the differences in more detail.
Enjoying It with Rice or Naan
Rice and naan give you different ways to enjoy the gravy.
With rice, you can mix a little sauce into each spoonful and add a piece of chicken. With naan, tear off a manageable piece and use it to gather some gravy, enjoying the chicken alongside it.
You do not need to order every accompaniment. Think about your appetite and what else is coming to the table. If you are sharing several dishes, ask our team to help you decide how much bread or rice to add.
Our food menu includes the available breads, rice dishes and other options for your meal.
Tell Us How You Like Your Food
Aromatic spices and chilli heat are different parts of a dish. Enjoying the fragrance of Indian cooking does not necessarily mean wanting a very hot curry.
Before ordering, tell our team how much chilli you are comfortable with. We can explain the dish and discuss what is possible for your meal.
Please also mention any allergies or dietary requirements. Our Chicken Tikka Masala uses yoghurt in the marinade, so dairy is part of the preparation before the gravy is added.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Chicken Tikka Masala prepared at Pesona Lounge Ubud?
We marinate the chicken in spiced yoghurt, grill it, and then combine it with a spiced tomato gravy. The marinade and grilling are both part of the preparation before the sauce is added.
Why do you marinate the chicken in yoghurt?
We use the spiced yoghurt marinade to help create a tender texture and aromatic flavour in the chicken.
Does your Chicken Tikka Masala contain dairy?
Yes. The chicken is marinated in yoghurt. Guests who avoid dairy should speak with our team about other suitable dishes.
Where is Pesona Lounge Ubud?
You can find us on Jl. Goutama Selatan No.25A in central Ubud. Visit our website for more about the restaurant and browse the menu before coming in.
Join Us for Indian Food in Ubud
Knowing a little about the preparation can make a familiar dish more interesting. With our Chicken Tikka Masala, that begins with the spiced yoghurt marinade and continues at the grill before the chicken reaches the gravy.
Join us at Pesona Lounge Ubud on Jalan Goutama Selatan to try it for yourself. Come with your appetite, tell us what you enjoy, and let our team help you put together your meal.
