Chicken Tikka Masala — the British-Indian classic in Chantilly, VA
Chicken tikka masala is the dish that became Britain's unofficial national meal — boneless chicken marinated in yogurt and spices, charred in a tandoor for that smoky edge, then folded into a creamy, lightly-spiced tomato-onion gravy with cardamom, fenugreek, and a knob of butter to round it. At Pastry Corner Cafe & Lounge in Chantilly, we make ours with halal-friendly chicken on request, real cream (no condensed-milk shortcuts), and the chicken is genuinely tandoor-charred — not just simmered — so each piece carries a wisp of smoke into the curry. It's milder than vindaloo, richer than chicken curry, and pairs perfectly with garlic naan or basmati. The default spice is medium; we can take it down to mild or up to hot. People order it for the first time because it's safe, then return because it's not boring. Order online for pickup or delivery in Chantilly, Centreville, Fairfax, Herndon, or Ashburn.
Hours
- Mon–Thu: 10am – 9pm
- Fri: 10am – 10pm
- Sat: 7am – 10pm
- Sun: 7am – 9pm
- Weekday break: 2:30pm – 5pm
People also ask
What's the difference vs butter chicken?
Chicken tikka masala uses tandoor-charred boneless chicken in a slightly more tomato-forward, spice-forward gravy. Butter chicken uses tandoori chicken in a sweeter, butter-and-cream-heavier gravy. CTM is bolder, butter chicken is silkier.
Is it halal?
Halal-friendly chicken used on request. Mention it at checkout or when ordering by phone.
How spicy?
Medium by default. We can adjust mild or hot — ask at order time.
What pairs with it?
Garlic naan to scoop, basmati rice as a base, a side of raita to balance, and a mango lassi to cool. All available as add-ons.
Gluten-free?
The curry itself is gluten-free. Naan contains wheat — pair with rice if avoiding gluten.