From Mild to Wild: A Spice-Level Ranking of Our Chicken Mains
Not all spice is created equal. Some dishes flirt with heat. Others come in loud, fiery, and unapologetic. At Tunday Kababi Dubai, we believe that spice isn’t just about heat—it’s about balance, aroma, and impact. And in our chicken mains, every level of spice tells a different story.
Whether you love your food mellow and creamy or bold and blazing, this guide will help you find your perfect match.
Table of Contents
- Why Spice Matters in Awadhi Cuisine
- Level 1: Creamy Comfort – Chicken Afgani
- Level 2: Gentle Heat – Butter Chicken
- Level 3: Warming Spice – Chicken Qorma
- Level 4: Tangy Kick – Chicken Tikka Masala
- Level 5: Fiery Delight – Chicken Kadhaai
- Honourable Mentions and Customisation
- Taste Your Level at Tunday
- Why Spice Matters in Awadhi Cuisine
Why Spice Matters in Awadhi Cuisine
Awadhi cooking isn’t about overwhelming heat—it’s about layered complexity. Our use of spice involves roasting, grinding, and blending in ways that coax out flavour without overpowering your palate. You won’t find mouth-numbing chilli bombs here. What you will find is spice that warms, excites, and lingers.
Each chicken dish in our kitchen has a specific profile: some are mellow and herbaceous, others sharp and smoky. This ranking isn’t just about chilli. It’s about the flavour impact of each dish from the first bite to the last.
Level 1: Creamy Comfort – Chicken Afgani
This is the gentlest entry in our spice scale. Chicken Afgani wraps tandoor-roasted chicken in a lush, white sauce made of cream, yoghurt, and cashew paste. Spices like cardamom and mace offer subtle heat without any burn.
Perfect for those who want richness and flavour without fire. It’s also a family favourite, especially with naan or paratha on the side.
Level 2: Gentle Heat – Butter Chicken
Next up is the dish everyone knows and loves. Butter Chicken gets its warmth from Kashmiri chilli and its richness from tomato and cream. The result? A mild, velvety curry with just enough kick to keep it interesting.
The balance of butter and tandoori smokiness makes it comforting but never bland.
Level 3: Warming Spice – Chicken Qorma
Now we’re getting deeper. Chicken Qorma builds heat slowly through a base of browned onions, yoghurt, and a medley of roasted whole spices. Cloves, cinnamon, and green cardamom add warmth, while ginger-garlic brings an earthy spice.
This dish doesn’t hit fast—it simmers and unfolds. Ideal for those who love a deep, rich curry with medium spice and full flavour.
Level 4: Tangy Kick – Chicken Tikka Masala
With its grilled tikka pieces and tomato-onion base, Chicken Tikka Masala steps it up. Green chillies and black pepper deliver a noticeable heat, while the acidity of tomatoes keeps it sharp and vibrant.
This is where spice begins to assert itself, especially if you pair it with a soft naan that absorbs the gravy but doesn’t dilute the bite.
Level 5: Fiery Delight – Chicken Kadhaai
Topping the scale is Chicken Kadhaai—bold, bright, and unapologetically spicy. Made with coarsely ground red chillies, capsicum, crushed coriander seeds, and a splash of vinegar, it’s a stir-fry style curry with serious attitude.
The spice hits early, lingers long, and dances around your palate. If you love high-heat, high-flavour dishes, this is your moment.
Honourable Mentions and Customisation
Not all heat comes from gravy. Our Chicken Fry and Chicken Seekh Kebab pack a punch through marination and char. These dry dishes bring instant heat but don’t linger the way curries do.
You can also request custom spice levels on most dishes—our chefs are happy to tone it down or fire it up.
Taste Your Level at Tunday
Al Hudaiba Awards Building, Al Mina Street, Jumeirah Dubai
Whether you’re in the mood for cream-kissed comfort or spice that grabs your attention, our chicken mains have something for every kind of diner. Come find your level, or better yet, work your way up the scale one dish at a time.
