Butter chicken and butter chicken curry refer to similar Indian dishes that feature chicken in a smooth, creamy, tomato-based sauce. However, there are some key differences between traditional butter chicken and butter chicken curry that set them apart.
What is Butter Chicken?
Butter chicken, also known as murgh makhani, is a popular dish from North India. It consists of chunks of chicken simmered in a mild, creamy, tomato-based gravy seasoned with spices. Butter chicken has a smooth, silky texture and incorporates butter and cream or yogurt to create its signature rich taste.
The origins of butter chicken can be traced back to the city of Delhi. It was allegedly invented in the 1950s by a chef named Kundan Lal Gujral, who ran a restaurant called Moti Mahal. He accidentally created the dish by using leftover tandoori chicken and giving it a tomato gravy makeover.
Over the years, butter chicken has become one of the most well-known Indian dishes around the world. It is a fixture on restaurant menus and is often one of the first Indian dishes people try.
Key Features of Butter Chicken:
- Chicken pieces (usually boneless) marinated in yogurt and spices and roasted in a tandoor oven
- Smooth, silky, mildly spiced tomato-cream sauce
- Butter or cream added for richness
- Aromatics like garlic, ginger, onions
- Spice blend including coriander, cumin, garam masala, turmeric, fenugreek
What is Butter Chicken Curry?
Butter chicken curry is a variation on classic butter chicken that incorporates ingredients commonly used in curries. It has a relatively similar flavor profile of creamy tomato sauce but with the addition of curry powder or garam masala and other curry ingredients.
This style of butter chicken likely emerged from home cooks and restaurants altering the traditional recipe by adding a curry twist. The term “curry” can be ambiguous, so butter chicken curry recipes can have differences in ingredients and taste depending on who is preparing it.
Key Features of Butter Chicken Curry:
- Chicken pieces cooked in tomato-cream sauce
- Added curry powder or garam masala spice blend
- Incorporation of ingredients like ginger, garlic, onions, tomatoes
- May use coconut milk instead of dairy cream
- Additional spices like turmeric, cumin, coriander, fenugreek
Similarities Between Butter Chicken and Butter Chicken Curry
Despite some differences, butter chicken and butter chicken curry share some key attributes:
- Chicken as the protein
- Tomato-based gravy or sauce
- Spices like garlic, ginger, coriander, cumin
- Aromatic ingredients like onions, tomatoes
- Creamy, smooth texture
- Butter or other dairy/non-dairy fat for richness
- Low to medium spice level
Differences Between Butter Chicken and Butter Chicken Curry
There are also some notable differences between the two dishes:
| Butter Chicken | Butter Chicken Curry |
|---|---|
| Tandoori roasted chicken pieces | Chicken can be cooked in the sauce |
| Mild seasoning | Bolder curry spice blend |
| Dairy-based sauce | May use coconut milk |
| Originates from Delhi, Punjab region | Curry influence from other regions |
| Consistent recipe | Variable recipe |
Conclusion
In summary, while butter chicken and butter chicken curry are very similar dishes, they have some notable differences:
- Butter chicken is Delhi-style with tandoori roasted chicken while butter chicken curry may cook chicken in sauce
- Butter chicken has milder seasoning compared to bolder curry spice blends
- Butter chicken uses dairy while curry may use coconut milk
- Butter chicken’s recipe is more consistent while butter chicken curry recipes can vary
However, they both share core elements like chicken, tomato-cream sauce, and aromatic spices. So while not exactly the same, butter chicken and butter chicken curry provide diners with a rich, comforting, chicken-centered experience that captures the essence of Indian cuisine.
Other Butter Chicken Curry Variations
In addition to the traditional butter chicken curry, there are many regional and global variations that incorporate curry elements:
- Keralan Chicken Curry – Uses coconut milk, curry leaves, and spices like black pepper, coriander, and chili peppers
- Thai Red Chicken Curry – Includes red curry paste, bamboo shoots, basil leaves, and coconut milk
- Jamaican Curry Chicken – Features allspice, scotch bonnet peppers, ginger, thyme, and turmeric
- Japanese Chicken Curry – Made with onions, carrots, potatoes, curry powder, garlic, and bay leaf
- Filipino Chicken Curry – Uses coconut milk, potatoes, bell peppers, chili peppers, and shrimp paste
These recipes demonstrate how diverse chicken curry dishes can be across cultures while sharing basic curry flavor profiles and ingredients.
Tips for Making Butter Chicken Curry
If you want to try making butter chicken curry at home, here are some tips:
- Use chicken thighs or breast for tender, juicy meat
- Marinate chicken in yogurt, spices, lemon juice, garlic, ginger overnight
- Sauté aromatics like onions, garlic, ginger before adding chicken
- Use full-fat coconut milk for creamy texture if avoiding dairy
- Add curry powder or garam masala and let bloom briefly in oil
- Simmer and reduce sauce to desired thickness
- Finish with cilantro, garam masala, dried fenugreek leaves
- Serve with rice, naan, or other Indian breads
With these tips, you can prepare your own flavorful butter chicken curry at home. Adjust spices, creaminess, and ingredients to suit your tastes.
Common Questions About Butter Chicken Curry
Is butter chicken curry spicy?
Butter chicken curry has a relatively mild spice level. However, you can adjust the spiciness by adding more or less chili peppers, curry powder, or garam masala. Some curry powder blends are hotter than others.
What is the difference between curry powder and garam masala?
Curry powder is a Western blend of up to 20 ground spices like turmeric, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, chili peppers. Garam masala is an Indian blend of usually 5-6 spices like black pepper, cloves, cumin, cinnamon.
Can you make butter chicken curry without cream?
Yes, butter chicken curry can be made without dairy cream. Options include using full-fat coconut milk, cashew cream, almond milk, or simply a tomato puree thickened with cornstarch or arrowroot powder.
What goes well with butter chicken curry?
Rice, naan, or pita breads complement a butter chicken curry well. Side dishes like saag paneer, raita, or cucumber salad also pair nicely. Chutneys or pickled vegetables offset the rich curry.
Is butter chicken curry gluten-free?
Yes, traditional butter chicken curry is gluten-free when made without soy sauce or other gluten ingredients. Be sure to use gluten-free curry powder. Serve with rice or gluten-free breads.
Butter Chicken Curry Recipes
Here are some delicious butter chicken curry recipes to try:
Traditional Butter Chicken Curry
This classic recipe uses garam masala and ginger-garlic paste for flavor.
Traditional Butter Chicken Curry Recipe
Instant Pot Butter Chicken Curry
Make an easy weeknight curry meal using an Instant Pot pressure cooker.
Instant Pot Butter Chicken Curry
Creamy Coconut Butter Chicken Curry
A dairy-free version uses coconut milk and aromatics.
Coconut Butter Chicken Curry Recipe
Spicy Butter Chicken Curry
Turn up the heat with extra chili powder and cayenne pepper.
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Curry
Make this curry in a slow cooker for easy set-it-and-forget-it cooking.
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Curry
The Popularity of Butter Chicken Curry
Butter chicken curry has become a beloved Indian curry dish across the globe. Its rich, creamy comfort food qualities make it an ideal takeout meal or dinner party main.
The origins of butter chicken curry show how home cooks and restaurants alike enjoyed experimenting with traditional Indian recipes and putting their own spin on classics. The result is a whole array of butter chicken variations that enhance and diversify Indian cuisine.
So while not completely identical to the original butter chicken, the curry rendition offers enough delicious similarities for butter chicken lovers everywhere to enjoy. It provides another way to experience the addictive tomato-spice-cream flavors that make this dish a consistent crowd-pleaser.