Butter chicken

The history of butter chicken recipes is a long and complicated one. There are many different stories about how this dish came to be, and who created it.

Some say that butter chicken was first created in India, while others claim that it originated in Pakistan. The truth is, no one really knows for sure. What we do know is that this dish has been around for centuries, and it shows no signs of going away anytime soon.

Butter chicken is typically made with chicken that is cooked in a tomato and butter sauce. This dish is often served with rice or naan bread.

Advice

Making butter chicken can be a delicious and easy dish to make. Start by marinating your chicken in a mixture of yogurt, garlic, ginger, garam masala, chili powder, turmeric, and cayenne pepper. This will give the chicken a delicious flavor. Next, heat some butter or ghee in a pan and add onions, garlic, and ginger. Cook until the onions are softened and lightly browned. Add the marinated chicken and cook until lightly browned. Finally, add a can of tomato sauce, cream, and spices. Simmer the mixture until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened. Serve with basmati rice and enjoy!

Questions

What is butter chicken sauce made of?

Butter chicken sauce is typically made with a combination of tomato puree, cream, butter, spices, and herbs. Common spices used are garam masala, cumin, coriander, ginger, garlic, and chili powder. Other ingredients such as cashews, yogurt, and tomato paste can also be used.

What does butter chicken taste like?

Butter chicken is rich, creamy, and mildly spiced with a hint of sweetness. The chicken is cooked in a tomato-based sauce and is served in a creamy, buttery sauce with a blend of spices. The flavors are complex and the dish is often served with basmati rice or naan.

What is the difference between butter chicken and tikka masala?

Butter chicken is a dish made with a creamy, tomato-based sauce with butter and spices. Tikka masala is a dish made with a creamy, tomato-based sauce with spices and yogurt. Both dishes are commonly served with rice, naan, or chapati. The main difference between the two is that butter chicken is more creamy and rich, while tikka masala has a tangy yogurt flavor.

How is butter chicken different from curry?

Butter chicken is a curry dish, but it is distinct from other types of curry. Butter chicken is made with a creamy tomato sauce, and it is spicier and sweeter than other curries. It is also typically made with a combination of fresh spices, including cardamom, ginger, garlic, and garam masala.

Why is butter chicken so good?

Butter chicken is so good because it is a creamy and savory dish that is packed with flavor. It is made with a tomato-based sauce that is spiced with garam masala, ginger, garlic, and other spices, and is often paired with butter and cream for a rich and creamy texture. The combination of the spices and cream make it a flavorful and comforting dish that is perfect for any occasion.

Is butter chicken healthy?

Butter chicken is not considered a healthy food, as it is typically high in saturated fat and sodium. It is also often served with white rice, which is a refined carbohydrate. To make butter chicken healthier, choose a low-sodium tomato-based sauce and serve it with a whole grain, such as quinoa or brown rice. You can also reduce the amount of butter used in the recipe.

Jump to: Ingredient Breakdown Insights

Recipes

  /public/nytimes-logo.svg

(Murgh Makhani) Butter Chicken

  • salt
  • cumin seed
  • cinnamon
  • cream
  • greek yogurt
  • turmeric
  • tomato paste
  • cilantro
  • butter
  • garam masala
  • cumin
  • lemon juice
  • tomato
  • onion
  • red chile
  • chicken stock
  • chicken thigh
  • ginger
  • almond
  • canola oil
  • garlic
  /public/nytimes-logo.svg

Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken

  • jasmine rice
  • naan
  • coconut milk
  • garam masala
  • lime juice
  • lime zest
  • tomato paste
  • onion
  • chicken stock
  • cilantro
  • breast
  • ginger
  • vegetable oil
  • garlic
  • salt
  /public/recipe-tin-eats-logo.svg

Butter Chicken

  • heavy cream
  • tomato passata
  • ginger
  • lemon juice
  • sugar
  • cumin
  • tumeric powder
  • salt
  • yoghurt
  • chilli powder
  • chicken thigh
  • ghee
  • garam masala
  • garlic
  • basmati rice
  • cilantro
  • white rice
  /public/thespruceeats-logo.svg

Murg Makhani: Indian Butter Chicken

  • tomato
  • yogurt
  • chili powder
  • ginger paste
  • cumin
  • lime
  • cinnamon
  • ground
  • chicken stock
  • bay leaf
  • fenugreek
  • garlic paste
  • coriander
  • onion
  • chicken
  • butter
  • vegetable oil
  • cardamom
  • clove
  • almond
  • peppercorn
  • coriander
  • salt
  /public/food-logo.svg

Butter Chicken

  • butter
  • tomato paste
  • chili powder
  • cinnamon
  • ginger
  • salt
  • turmeric
  • garlic
  • onion
  • garam masala
  • chicken breast
  • cream
  /public/thespruceeats-logo.svg

Butter Chicken

  • onion
  • white pepper
  • ginger
  • heavy cream
  • salt
  • tomato puree
  • chicken breast
  • lemon juice
  • olive oil
  • garlic
  • basmati rice
  • butter
  • curry powder
  /public/themodernproper-logo.svg

Stovetop Butter Chicken

  • basmati rice
  • cilantro
  • salt
  • heavy cream
  • olive oil
  • turmeric
  • onion
  • butter
  • ginger
  • lemon juice
  • cinnamon
  • cumin
  • garam masala
  • chicken breast
  • chicken stock
  • garlic
  • tomato paste
  /public/seriouseats.svg

Butter Chicken Recipe

  • Makhani Sauce
  • grain rice
  • cashew
  • salt
  • garam masala
  • kasuri methi
  • onion
  • ginger
  • pod brown cardamom
  • clove
  • water
  • heavy cream
  • baking soda
  • canola oil
  • chiles de arbol
  • tomato
  • butter
  • garlic
  • For Marinating the Chicken
  • garam masala
  • kasuri methi
  • kala namak
  • ginger
  • greek yogurt
  • chicken thigh
  • salt
  /public/the-stay-at-home-chef-logo.webp

30 Minute Indian Butter Chicken

  • heavy cream
  • tomato sauce
  • garam masala
  • cumin
  • ginger
  • jalapeño
  • onion
  • greek yogurt
  • salt
  • cilantro
  • chicken breast
  • lemon juice
  • paprika
  • garlic
  • butter
  /public/bonappetit-logo.svg

Butter Chicken

  • cilantro
  • salt
  • fenugreek
  • ginger
  • garam masala
  • paprika
  • cinnamon
  • clove
  • cultured
  • heavy cream
  • milk greek yogurt
  • turmeric
  • chicken thigh
  • fenugreek seed
  • tomato
  • onion
  • serrano chile
  • garlic
  • cardamom
  /public/family-style-food-logo.webp

Healthy Instant Pot Butter Chicken

  • coriander
  • cumin
  • chicken stock
  • milk
  • tomato passata
  • smoked paprika
  • turmeric
  • chicken thigh
  • all purpose flour
  • garam marsala
  • garlic paste
  • tomato paste
  • parsley
  /public/thespruceeats-logo.svg

Instant Pot Butter Chicken

  • rice
  • onion
  • garam masala
  • ginger
  • turmeric
  • honey
  • salt
  • paprika
  • chicken thigh
  • coriander
  • cumin
  • chicken stock
  • cilantro
  • cayenne pepper
  • tomato
  • heavy cream
  • tomato paste
  • garlic
  • ghee
  /public/foodie-crush-logo.png

Indian Butter Chicken

  • tomato sauce
  • chicken thigh
  • chili powder
  • ginger
  • bay leaf
  • onion
  • pea
  • lime
  • tomato paste
  • heavy cream
  • vegetable oil
  • garam masala
  • butter
  • cilantro
  • salt
  /public/40-aprons-logo.svg

Instant Pot Butter Chicken

  • basmati rice
  • ginger
  • lemon juice
  • sugar
  • cardamom
  • cinnamon
  • salt
  • chili powder
  • heavy cream
  • butter
  • tomato sauce
  • chicken thigh
  • tomato paste
  • garam masala
  • coriander
  • sweet paprika
  • garlic
  • cilantro
  • naan
  • salt
  /public/the-recipe-critic-logo.svg

Easy Butter Chicken

  • chicken breast
  • olive oil
  • patak ® butter chicken curry simmer sauce
  • basmati rice
  • cilantro
  /public/foodnetwork-logo.svg

Bal's No-Butter Chicken

  • serve
  • chicken breast
  • brown sugar
  • ginger
  • cumin seed
  • garam masala
  • red pepper flake
  • salt
  • turmeric
  • onion
  • water
  • yogurt
  • garlic
  • grapeseed oil
  • tomato paste
  /public/foodnetwork-logo.svg

Butter Chicken

  • cilantro
  • basmati rice
  • salt
  • ginger
  • turmeric
  • kashmiri chili powder
  • garam masala
  • cumin
  • sugar
  • heavy cream
  • cashew
  • vegetable oil
  • chicken thigh
  • coriander
  • onion
  • tomato paste
  • butter
  • plum tomato
  • garlic
  /public/themodernproper-logo.svg

Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken

  • heavy cream
  • tomato paste
  • salt
  • turmeric
  • onion
  • ginger
  • lemon juice
  • cinnamon
  • cumin
  • garam masala
  • sugar
  • chicken breast
  • chicken stock
  • garlic
  • butter
  /public/40-aprons-logo.svg

Peanut Butter Chicken

  • chicken broth
  • tomato
  • chicken thigh
  • butter
  • olive oil
  • onion
  • ginger
  • brown sugar
  • peanut butter
  • red pepper flake
  • soy sauce
  • lime juice
  • garlic
  • cilantro
  • rice
  • pepper
  • red pepper flake
  • salt
  /public/foodnetwork-logo.svg

Butter Chicken

  • brown sugar
  • ginger
  • cumin seed
  • garam masala
  • red chili flake
  • salt
  • turmeric
  • onion
  • yogurt
  • garlic
  • grapeseed oil
  • tomato paste
  • chicken breast
  /public/the-recipe-critic-logo.svg

Butter Chicken

  • heavy cream
  • brown sugar
  • garam masala
  • ginger
  • cumin
  • chicken thigh
  • yogurt
  • feungeek
  • coriander
  • tumeric
  • lemon
  • olive oil
  • salt
  • tomato
  • garlic
  /public/gonna-want-seconds-logo.webp

Butter Chicken Recipe

  • tomato puree
  • onion
  • ginger garlic paste
  • peanut oil
  • chili powder
  • coriander
  • cumin
  • bay leaf
  • black pepper
  • shallot
  • heavy cream
  • salt
  • yogurt
  • chicken thigh
  • butter
  • cashew
  • lemon juice
  • garam marsala
  /public/foodnetwork-logo.svg

Butter Chicken

  • mace blade
  • pepper
  • broth
  • lemon juice
  • salt
  • lemon
  • lemon
  • heavy cream
  • parsley
  • chicken
  • butter
  • water
  /public/foodnetwork-logo.svg

Butter Roasted Chicken with Grit Waffles

  • black pepper
  • salt
  • nonstick spray
  • special equipment waffle iron
  • all purpose flour
  • milk
  • maple syrup
  • chipotle
  • baking powder
  • egg
  • butter
  • grit
  • chicken thigh
  • chicken drumstick
  /public/40-aprons-logo.svg

Garlic Herb Butter Chicken

  • water
  • lemon juice
  • herb
  • garlic powder
  • white wine
  • butter
  • salt
  • avocado oil
  • shallot
  • garlic
  • parsley
  • chicken breast
  • black pepper
  • salt
  /public/delish-logo.svg

Instant Pot Butter Chicken

  • coriander
  • black pepper
  • naan
  • rice
  • salt
  • yoghurt
  • onion
  • butter
  • sugar
  • garam masala
  • vegetable oil
  • cumin
  • paprika
  • turmeric
  • tomato paste
  • double cream
  • ginger
  • garlic
  • chicken thigh
  /public/delish-logo.svg

Indian Butter Chicken

  • basmati rice
  • coriander
  • lemon juice
  • naan
  • cinnamon
  • onion
  • ginger
  • cumin
  • turmeric
  • paprika
  • double cream
  • tomato
  • jalapeño
  • garam masala
  • greek yoghurt
  • garlic
  • butter
  • chicken breast
  /public/saveur-logo.webp

Indian Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhanwala)

  • < href= https www saveur com article recipes major grey chutney >mango chutney< >
  • < href= https www saveur com raita >raita< >
  • salt
  • salt
  • greek yogurt
  • heavy cream
  • canola oil
  • red pepper flake
  • garam masala
  • tomato
  • chicken
  • ginger
  • ginger
  • bay leaf
  • lemon juice
  • clove
  • butter
  • garlic
  • garlic
  • curry
  • cardamom

Ingredient Breakdown

 
salt
garlic
butter
ginger
onion
garam masala
heavy cream
tomato paste
chicken thigh
cilantro
cumin
lemon juice
turmeric
chicken breast
tomato
coriander
cinnamon
chicken
olive oil
chicken stock
basmati rice
sugar
yogurt
vegetable oil
red pepper flake
chili powder
bay leaf
clove
water
paprika
greek yogurt
canola oil
naan
tomato sauce
lemon
cardamom
parsley
brown sugar
black pepper
cumin seed
ghee
cayenne pepper
cashew
all purpose flour
rice
pepper
cream
almond
lime juice
tomato passata
yoghurt
white vinegar
pea
thyme
lime
fenugreek
garlic paste
tomato puree
curry powder
kasuri methi
jalapeño
milk
garam marsala
honey
grapeseed oil
soy sauce
shallot
potato
white wine
garlic powder
avocado oil
double cream
red chile
jasmine rice
coconut milk
lime zest
breast
tumeric powder
chilli powder
white rice
hot smoked paprika
yukon gold potato
green onion
hot basmati rice
pita bread
garam masala seasoning
rotisserie chicken
garlic butter
bulbs garlic
russet potato
bread
basil
ginger paste
ground
peppercorn
white pepper
grain rice
kala namak
pod brown cardamom
baking soda
chiles de arbol
cultured
milk greek yogurt
fenugreek seed
serrano chile
smoked paprika
brussels sprout
italian seasoning
cranberry
pecan
butternut squash
mustard
sweet paprika
patak ® butter chicken curry simmer sauce
serve
kashmiri chili powder
plum tomato
chicken broth
peanut butter
nonfat greek yogurt
light coconut milk
serrano
coriander seed
oil
red chili flake
cucumber
sesame oil
star anise
feungeek
tumeric
ginger garlic paste
peanut oil
mace blade
broth
branch rosemary
tarragon
rosemary
cherry tomato
leek
carrot
nonstick spray
special equipment waffle iron
maple syrup
chipotle
baking powder
egg
grit
chicken drumstick
herb
grape tomato
greek yoghurt
< href= https www saveur com article recipes major grey chutney >mango chutney< >
< href= https www saveur com raita >raita< >
curry

Insights

Correlated with Lower Ratings

  • chicken breast
  • cinnamon

Correlated with Higher Ratings

  • turmeric

Staple Ingredients

  • salt 66%
  • garlic 61%
  • ginger 58%
  • onion 53%
  • butter 47%

Common Ingredients

  • garam masala 45%
  • heavy cream 37%
  • tomato paste 37%
  • cilantro 34%
  • chicken thigh 32%

Usual Ingredients

  • cumin 29%
  • turmeric 26%
  • chicken breast 24%
  • lemon juice 24%
  • cinnamon 21%
  • tomato 21%
  • chicken stock 18%
  • coriander 18%
  • olive oil 18%
  • basmati rice 16%
  • yogurt 16%

Rarey Ingredients

  • chicken 13%
  • chili powder 13%
  • sugar 13%