Is butter chicken spicy?

Butter chicken is mild to medium spicy, much less hot than many Indian curries. The cream and butter create a rich, slightly sweet sauce that balances the spices. The dish was designed to be approachable and not overwhelmingly hot, making it perfect for those new to Indian cuisine.

Is butter chicken the same as tikka masala?

No, butter chicken and chicken tikka masala are different dishes. Butter chicken uses tandoori chicken in a smooth, creamy sauce with more butter and a sweeter taste. Tikka masala features grilled chicken in a spiced tomato cream sauce with bolder seasonings and more complex flavors.

What do you eat with butter chicken?

Butter chicken is traditionally served with naan bread for dipping or basmati rice to absorb the sauce. Popular sides include raita, a cooling yogurt sauce, and pickled onions. The bread or rice helps balance the rich, creamy curry and makes it a complete meal.

Is butter chicken healthy?

Butter chicken is rich and indulgent due to butter and cream in the sauce. A typical serving contains significant calories and fat. However, it provides protein from chicken and nutrients from tomatoes and spices. Enjoy it occasionally as a treat rather than a regular meal for balanced nutrition.

Can you make butter chicken at home?

Yes, you can make butter chicken at home without a tandoor oven. Grill or pan cook marinated chicken instead of using a tandoor. Prepare the tomato cream sauce separately, then add the cooked chicken. Many simplified recipes take 30 to 40 minutes and taste delicious with proper spices.

Why is it called butter chicken?

The dish is called butter chicken because butter is a key ingredient that gives the curry its rich, smooth texture and distinctive flavor. The sauce contains generous amounts of butter along with cream and tomatoes. This butter heavy preparation distinguishes it from other Indian chicken curries.

Butter Chicken Facts: Origins & Indian Recipe

Q: What is butter chicken made of?

Butter chicken contains tandoori chicken in a sauce made from tomatoes, butter, cream, ginger, garlic, and spices like garam masala. Kasuri methi, dried fenugreek leaves, adds a signature flavor. The chicken is marinated in yogurt and spices before cooking in a tandoor oven at high heat.

Discover the creamy history of butter chicken

Butter chicken was invented in 1950s Delhi by accident using leftover tandoori chicken. Learn about this creamy Indian curry's surprising origins and global popularity.

Key Facts

Origin

Delhi, India

Year Invented

1950s

Original Restaurant

Moti Mahal

Creator

Kundan Lal Gujral

Main Protein

Chicken

Key Ingredients

Tomatoes, butter, cream, spices

Cooking Method

Tandoori chicken in curry sauce

Typical Serving

With naan or rice

Spice Level

Mild to medium

Global Popularity

Top Indian dish worldwide

Quick Stats

Attribute	Value
Origin City	Delhi, India
Year Created	1950s
Original Restaurant	Moti Mahal
Creator Name	Kundan Lal Gujral
Base Ingredients	Tomatoes, butter, cream
Typical Heat Level	Mild to medium
Common Pairing	Naan bread or rice
Global Status	Most popular Indian curry

About Butter Chicken Facts: Origins & Indian Recipe

Butter chicken is one of the most beloved Indian dishes worldwide, known for its rich, creamy tomato sauce and tender chicken pieces. This iconic curry was created by accident in 1950s Delhi and became a global phenomenon.

How Butter Chicken Was Invented By Accident

Butter chicken was created in the 1950s at Moti Mahal restaurant in Delhi by chef Kundan Lal Gujral. The dish was born from necessity when leftover tandoori chicken became too dry to serve. Gujral added the chicken to a rich tomato gravy with butter and cream to revive it. This improvisation created one of India's most famous exports and revolutionized Indian cuisine worldwide.

Why Butter Chicken Conquered the World

Butter chicken became globally popular because of its mild, approachable flavor profile. Unlike fiery vindaloo or complex korma, butter chicken offers gentle spices balanced by cream and butter. The slightly sweet tomato base appeals to Western palates unfamiliar with Indian food. This accessibility made butter chicken the gateway dish that introduced millions to Indian cuisine.

The Difference Between Butter Chicken and Tikka Masala

Many people confuse butter chicken with chicken tikka masala. Butter chicken uses tandoori chicken in a smooth, creamy tomato sauce with more butter. Tikka masala features grilled chicken chunks in a spiced tomato cream sauce with more complex seasonings. Butter chicken tastes sweeter and milder, while tikka masala has bolder, more pronounced spices.

Traditional Cooking Method and Ingredients

Authentic butter chicken starts with chicken marinated in yogurt, lemon juice, and spices. The chicken cooks in a tandoor oven at high heat until charred and smoky. The sauce combines tomatoes, butter, cream, ginger, garlic, and warming spices like garam masala. Kasuri methi, dried fenugreek leaves, adds the signature slightly bitter note that balances the richness.

How to Serve Butter Chicken Properly

Butter chicken is traditionally served with naan bread for scooping up the rich sauce. Basmati rice also pairs perfectly to absorb the creamy gravy. Garnish includes fresh cilantro and a drizzle of cream. Many Indians enjoy it with a side of pickled onions or raita, a cooling yogurt sauce that cuts through the richness.

Butter Chicken's Rise to International Fame

Moti Mahal restaurant popularized butter chicken throughout India in the 1960s and 1970s. Indian restaurants worldwide adopted it as a menu staple because customers loved the mild, creamy curry. Today, butter chicken appears on nearly every Indian restaurant menu globally and inspires countless variations from butter chicken pizza to butter chicken poutine.

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Did You Know?

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Butter chicken was invented by accident using leftover tandoori chicken at Moti Mahal in Delhi

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The same restaurant that created butter chicken also invented dal makhani, another Indian classic

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Butter chicken is the most ordered Indian dish in restaurants worldwide

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Traditional butter chicken includes kasuri methi, dried fenugreek leaves, for its signature flavor

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Chicken tikka masala and butter chicken are different dishes despite popular confusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Butter chicken was invented in Delhi, India during the 1950s at Moti Mahal restaurant. Chef Kundan Lal Gujral created it by adding leftover tandoori chicken to a rich tomato gravy with butter and cream. This accidental creation became one of the most popular Indian dishes worldwide.