🇮🇳 What Is Butter Chicken?
Butter Chicken, also known as Murgh Makhani, is a world-famous Indian curry made with tender pieces of grilled chicken simmered in a velvety tomato-butter-cream sauce. It’s mild yet flavorful, rich in texture, and perfectly balanced in spice — a dish that has captivated hearts from Delhi to London to New York.
Whether paired with naan, paratha, or steamed basmati rice, butter chicken delivers comfort and celebration in every bite.
🧭 Origin Story: Born from Leftovers, Now a Legend
Butter Chicken was accidentally invented in the 1950s at Moti Mahal, a legendary restaurant in Delhi, by Kundan Lal Gujral.
Faced with drying leftover tandoori chicken, the chef created a quick gravy with tomatoes, cream, butter, and spices — tossing in the chicken to revive it. The result? A masterpiece of Mughlai-inspired flavor that forever changed the world’s perception of Indian food.
🍗 Ingredients: What You’ll Need
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 500g boneless chicken (thighs or breasts), cubed
- ¾ cup yogurt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder (for color, not heat)
- 1 tsp garam masala
- Salt to taste
For the Butter Chicken Gravy:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups ripe tomatoes, pureed
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tbsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
- 1 tsp garam masala
- ½ tsp sugar
- ½ cup fresh cream
- Salt to taste
🍳 Step-by-Step Butter Chicken Recipe
🥣 1. Marinate the Chicken
Combine all marinade ingredients and coat chicken evenly. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for best flavor).
🔥 2. Cook the Chicken
Grill, pan-fry, or bake the marinated chicken until lightly charred and cooked through. Set aside.
🍅 3. Prepare the Gravy
- Heat butter and oil in a pan. Sauté onions until golden.
- Add ginger-garlic paste, sauté briefly.
- Add pureed tomatoes and cook until oil separates.
- Stir in garam masala, kasuri methi, and sugar.
- Add grilled chicken pieces and cook for 5–7 minutes.
- Stir in fresh cream. Simmer for 2–3 minutes. Adjust salt.
🌿 4. Garnish and Serve
Top with a swirl of cream and fresh coriander. Serve hot with naan, roti, or rice.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- Classic Combo: Butter Chicken + Garlic Naan
- Rich & Fragrant: Butter Chicken + Jeera (Cumin) Rice
- Modern Twist: Butter Chicken Wraps or Butter Chicken Pizza
👩🍳 Pro Cooking Tips
- Use chicken thighs for juicier, tender meat.
- Don’t rush the tomatoes – cooking until oil separates ensures a deep, balanced flavor.
- Kasuri methi adds that signature North Indian aroma — don’t skip it!
- For a smoky restaurant-style flavor, place a hot coal in a small bowl in the curry, drizzle with ghee, and cover for 1–2 minutes.
🔥 Why Butter Chicken Is So Popular
- ✅ Mild yet flavorful — suitable for all spice levels
- ✅ Rich, creamy texture
- ✅ Pairs well with almost anything
- ✅ A perfect introduction to Indian cuisine
- ✅ Loved by kids and adults alike
🌍 Global Reach & Variations
Butter Chicken has inspired countless adaptations worldwide:
- UK-style curries often use richer cream and pre-cooked meats
- Canadian butter chicken poutine blends the curry with fries and cheese curds
- Vegan/vegetarian versions use tofu, paneer, or even jackfruit
