Butter Chicken: the World's Most Popular Indian Dish

Butter Chicken: the World's Most Popular Indian Dish

Butter chicken (murgh makhani) — chicken in a silky tomato-cream sauce — became the most ordered Indian dish worldwide. Gentle, slightly sweet, not very hot — the perfect introduction to Indian cuisine.

History of the dish

Butter chicken was invented in 1950s Delhi: chef Kundan Lal Gujral (Moti Mahal restaurant) added a tomato-butter sauce to leftover tandoori chicken. The recipe later spread worldwide.

Key ingredients

Marinade: yoghurt, spices (turmeric, garam masala, cumin, paprika), lemon. Sauce: tomato purée, butter, cream, garlic, ginger, spices, sugar.

How to cook at home

Marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight. Grill or roast until charred at the edges before adding to the sauce — this gives the tandoor effect. Blend the sauce until smooth.