A balanced blend of Punjabi spices, tender, charred chicken and garlicky ginger tomato sauce served up with rice or naan, chicken tikka masala is the perfect comforting winter dish. However, the origins of chicken tikka masala are the subject of hot debate. According to legend, a UK chef invented the dish over 50 years ago when a customer complained of the chicken tikka being too dry. One can of tinned tomato soup later, chicken tikka masala was born. Others, more seriously, claim the origins of chicken tikka masala date back to the Mughal period when Mughali chefs served royalty the dish. According to Delhi's authoritative street food expert, Rahul Verma, said he first tasted the dish in 1971 and that its origins were Punjabi. "Its basically a Punjabi dish not more than 40-50 years old and must be an accidental discovery which has had periodical improvisations," he said. Regardless of its origins, chicken tikka masala has come to be loved the world over, which is why we're so excited to cook with it using RawSpiceBar Tandoori Spices & Punjabi Garam Masala blends.