What Is The Hype Around Butter Chicken?

If you have explored Indian food, you’ve probably heard of butter chicken. Also, there is a probability that if you talk to friends across the world about Indian food, there are likely to mention butter chicken. Some Indian food enthusiasts say that “butter chicken is good even when bad.” So, is the butter chicken worth the hype?

What is a butter chicken anyway?

Butter chicken is an Indian dish whereby grilled chicken (Tandoori chicken) is cooked (simmered) in a buttery gravy with the addition of cream and spices (garam masala, salt, turmeric, and red chilli powder). Butter chicken is also called Murgh Makhani, meaning chicken with butter. It shares some similarities with the Chicken Tikka Masala, but it’s a different dish.

The real gem in a butter chicken is the butter.

If you have eaten butter chicken, then you know it is a tender chicken with a nice spiced tomato-based sauce with a smooth texture. Generally, butter chicken is delicious and is served with rice or naan (a bread).

Why is butter chicken so famous?

How chicken butter came, be is fascinating. Back in the 1930’s Kundan Lal Gujral, owner of Moti Mahal restaurant in Delhi, was playing with Tandoori chicken leftovers. He experimented with the Tandoori chicken with butter and some spices, and that’s how the famous butter chicken came to be. People in New Delhi liked it. Over time, Moti Mahal became an international chain of restaurants.

Some people dispute that Gujral was the original inventor of this dish. Regardless of knowing the actual chicken butter's inventor, its fame has cut across the world, and most people know this Indian dish. Other countries adopted it and served it in their unique ways. For instance, butter chicken is served in Canada with tacos or Rotis, while in India, it’s served with naan bread.

Most people love the butter chicken because of the mildly sweet flavour from the butter base and spicy curry. The hot sweetness of the tomato base also attracts many. Often food aficionado says that butter chicken is nostalgic and slides down the throat effortlessly. In brief, this Indian dish gives sensation with every bite.

If you’re in Australia and want the best butter chicken from an authentic Indian restaurant, visit or order from Butter Chicken Factory Restaurant in Lynbrook, Victoria. It’s the place to get served authentic Indian cuisine.