I first spotted this yummy item a few months ago. My local TJ's branch had recently begun stocking it, and I LOVE Indian food, especially tikka masala (yes, I know it's not "real" Indian food and actually originated in England...deal with it). So, into my shopping basket it went, and is now my favorite frozen meal to buy. I probably get two of these a week to eat for a work lunch. You'll find this with the frozen pizzas, flatbreads, and other items that are stocked at eye-level.
The Good: At first glance, this meal may look skimpy, but it's actually really filling. I hear from teh interwebz that spicy food is more filling than non-spicy, and can increase metabolism as well. (Correct me if I'm wrong, you Debbie Downers out there).
I've had lots of different tikka masala sauces in the few years I've been eating Indian food. It really depends on the level of smokiness, spiciness and creaminess you prefer, but for me, this sauce is the best I've ever had. Isn't that nuts? And yes - this dish, the masala simmer sauce AND the fresh chicken tikka masala from TJ's all taste differently. I wish they'd make this sauce in a jar so I could buy it and make bigger batches at home. It has a perfect blend of spice (enough where you know it's there, but you're not gasping and reaching for water), creaminess (good balance of cream, tomato and herbs) and a hint of smoke at the end. To quote a certain annoying Food Network TV star: YUM-O.
The chicken itself is really good. It's actual chicken breast, not mechanically-seperated chicken "product" that some microwave meals offer. It's moist and, well, nummy. The basmati rice is EXCELLENT. You'd never be able to tell it was once frozen. Each individual piece of rice is seperated from the other; it's not soggy, lumpy or mushy; and the cumin adds a special flavor to amp up the Indian factor. It retains its delicate appearance, which is much-appreciated from this reviewer.
The Bad: Although it is a filling meal, I would like to see one more piece of chicken. On average, I've seen four good-sized pieces in each container - and while that's enough, part of me yearns for one more piece to soak up the sauce. Also, the chicken tends to be too big for one bite, and requires a sturdy fork to cut it (since it's whole chicken breast and all).
Final Verdict: One of my all-time faves! Truly, truly amazing that it's a frozen meal and still tastes like it's been simmering on the stove for hours. I definitely recommend that you buy this one and see for yourself.
Nutrition Facts
Servings per Container: 1
Calories: 300
Total Fat: 12 grams (expected from a cream-based sauce)
Total Carbs: 30 g
Total Fiber: 0g (bummer)
