Tikka cut thigh meat is diced into neat, even cubes sized specifically for skewering, which means the pieces cook at the same rate and each bite gets a good char without the centre staying raw. Thigh meat is the better choice for tikka over breast because its slightly higher fat content keeps it juicy on a hot grill or in a scorching oven, where leaner cuts can dry out fast. Being boneless and skinless, there's no prep needed beyond patting the cubes dry, so you can go straight into marinating with yoghurt, ginger-garlic, and your preferred spice mix. Because this is unmarinated, you're free to build whatever flavour you like, whether that's a classic yoghurt-based tandoori-style marinade, a lighter lemon and herb version, or a smoky chargrilled masala, and a spell in the fridge is usually enough for the flavours to take. Thread the cubes onto skewers with onion and pepper for a proper mixed grill, or pan-sear them for a quick tikka bowl over rice.

Look for cubes that are uniform in size so they cook evenly, and avoid any that look watery or pale. Store chilled and use within a day or two, or freeze once marinated for later.

QuicKart keeps this fresh cut cold from store to door with free UAE delivery, and you can shop fresh chicken cuts online for everything else on your list.