BBQ chicken tikka calories per piece: malai boti (110 cal), reshmi kebab (90 cal), tikka boti (135 cal). Full platter breakdown plus which marinade is healthiest.
Chicken tikka is the king of desi BBQ. Whether you are at a dhaba in Lahore, a rooftop restaurant in Karachi, or a barbecue night in Dubai, tikka platters are everywhere. But the calories vary wildly depending on the marinade. Here is the exact breakdown per piece so you can track your BBQ accurately on CalorieFlow.
| Tikka Type (1 piece, ~60g) | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malai boti (cream-based) | 110–130 cal | 12g | 7g | 2g |
| Reshmi kebab (yogurt-based) | 90–110 cal | 13g | 4g | 3g |
| Chicken tikka boti (oil-based) | 135–160 cal | 14g | 9g | 2g |
| Seekh kebab (beef, mince) | 180–200 cal | 16g | 12g | 2g |
| BBQ chicken leg (with skin) | 240–280 cal | 20g | 18g | 1g |
| BBQ chicken leg (skin removed) | 180–200 cal | 22g | 10g | 1g |
Malai boti is marinated in cream, yogurt, and mild spices. The cream gives it that signature rich, melt-in-the-mouth texture – but it also adds significant fat.
Marinade breakdown (per 60g piece):
• Chicken breast meat: 60 cal, 12g protein
• Cream (2 tbsp per 3 pieces): +30 cal
• Yogurt and spices: +15 cal
• Oil for basting: +10-15 cal
Despite the cream, malai boti is moderate in calories because the portion size is small (2-3 bites per piece). A standard BBQ order of 4 pieces = 440-520 cal.
Reshmi kebab (also called chicken seekh kebab) is made from minced chicken breast mixed with yogurt, ginger, garlic, and green chilies. Because the meat is ground and mixed with yogurt rather than cream or oil, it is significantly leaner.
Why it is lowest in calories:
• Uses lean chicken breast mince (lowest fat cut)
• Yogurt-based marinade instead of cream – saves 30 cal per piece
• No basting oil needed – the moisture comes from the yogurt
• Higher protein density – 13g protein for only 90-110 cal
4 pieces of reshmi kebab = 360-440 cal with 52g protein. That is an excellent macro profile for a high-protein meal.
Tikka boti is the most commonly available BBQ item at restaurants and dhabas. It uses chicken thigh or breast pieces marinated in yogurt, spices, and a generous amount of oil.
The restaurant factor:
• Commercial tikka boti is heavily oil-basted during grilling
• Each basting adds roughly 15-20 cal per piece
• Restaurant pieces are larger (80-100g vs 60g homemade)
• A single restaurant tikka boti can reach 200 cal
Homemade tikka boti with controlled oil = 100-120 cal per piece. Restaurant version = 140-200 cal.
| BBQ Platter (typical order) | Calories | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| 4 pieces malai boti | 440–520 cal | 48g |
| 4 pieces reshmi kebab | 360–440 cal | 52g |
| 3 pieces tikka boti | 405–480 cal | 42g |
| 1 BBQ chicken leg (skin off) | 180–200 cal | 22g |
| 1 naan | 260–300 cal | 8g |
| Raita (1 small bowl) | 50–70 cal | 3g |
| Full platter (4 tikka + leg + naan + raita) | 900–1,100 cal | 75g |
Key insight: A full BBQ platter is 900-1,100 calories. If you skip the naan and double the salad, you save 260-300 cal and keep the meal under 800 cal with 70g+ protein – excellent for muscle building.
The marinade is the biggest variable in tikka calories. Here is how the three most common bases compare per tablespoon:
Cream (malai boti): 52 cal, 5g fat
Yogurt (reshmi/tikka): 12 cal, 0.6g fat
Oil (tikka boti): 120 cal, 14g fat
Winner: Yogurt-based marinades. They add flavor and tenderness without the caloric cost of cream or oil.
A standard chicken tikka boti (60g) contains 135–160 calories. A malai boti has 110–130 calories. A reshmi kebab has 90–110 calories.
One piece of malai boti (60g) contains 110–130 calories with 12g protein and 7g fat. The cream-based marinade is the main source of fat.
Yes. Chicken tikka is grilled, not fried, and uses lean meat. Reshmi kebab is the best choice for weight loss at only 90 cal per piece with 13g protein. Skip the naan and raita to keep the meal under 500 cal.
A typical BBQ platter with 4 tikka pieces, 1 BBQ leg, naan, and raita contains 900–1,100 calories. Removing the naan saves 260–300 calories.
Malai boti is lower in calories (110 vs 135) but higher in saturated fat from cream. Tikka boti has more protein (14g vs 12g). For weight loss, reshmi kebab is the healthiest option.
Use yogurt-based marinades instead of cream or oil. Remove chicken skin before grilling. Avoid basting with oil – use lemon juice or the marinade instead. Pair with salad, not naan.
Non-Stick BBQ Grill Pan on Daraz PK