Butter chicken, also known as murgh makhani, is one of the most popular Indian dishes around the world. With its rich and creamy tomato-based sauce and tender chunks of chicken, it’s easy to see why it has gained such widespread popularity. However, there has been some debate over whether butter chicken originated in India or was created later by Indian immigrants in the UK.
Quick Answers
Butter chicken likely has its origins in India, although the dish was popularized and possibly modified by Indian restaurateurs in the UK in the 1960s and 70s. The origins can be traced back to the northern Indian region of Punjab and the classic dish murgh makhani. However, the name “butter chicken” and some elements like the use of heavy cream may have been introduced later by Indian cooks adapting recipes for UK tastes.
So in summary:
- Butter chicken has roots in the classic Indian dish murgh makhani from the Punjab region
- The name and modern recipe emerged later, possibly among Indian cooks in the UK
- It’s now popular globally as an Indian restaurant staple, but was likely inspired by both Indian and British food cultures
Origins in India
Most accounts trace the origins of butter chicken back to India. In particular, it appears to be derived from the classic Punjabi dish murgh makhani, which means “chicken with butter.” This dish originated in the northern region of Punjab and was likely created some time before India’s partition in 1947.
Murgh makhani was traditionally made by braising chicken in a lightly spiced tomato sauce enriched with butter (makhan) and cream. This cooking method allowed for the use of tough, older chickens, tenderizing the meat resulting in a rich, flavorful dish. Over time, recipes began to vary, with additional spices like fenugreek and garam masala added to the gravy.
The core elements of murgh makhani – chicken in a creamy, tomato-butter sauce – formed the foundations for what would later become known as butter chicken. However, the dish was likely modified and popularized outside of India.
Adaptations in the UK
Most food historians agree that the modern iteration of butter chicken likely emerged among Punjabi Indian immigrants in the UK starting in the 1960s. Indian restaurants started popping up in cities like London, Birmingham and Glasgow to cater to the expatriate community. To appeal to local tastes, cooks adapted traditional recipes like murgh makhani to be less spicy and richer.
Some key changes:
- Use of heavier cream instead of just butter/milk
- Milder spices and less chili heat
- Cooking the sauce for a longer time to achieve a smoother, richer consistency
- Serving with rice instead of Indian breads
The name “butter chicken” also traces back to the UK. One story credits Kundan Lal Gujral, owner of a restaurant called Moti Mahal in Delhi, who moved to the UK in the 1940s. He allegedly invented the dish to suit British tastes and first used the name “butter chicken.”
However, this account is disputed, and origins remain uncertain. It was likely various cooks in Indian immigrant communities that popularized this creamier, milder version of murgh makhani adapted for Western palates. Over time, it became a staple menu item at Indian restaurants around the UK and then globally.
Global Popularity Today
From its origins in India and early popularity in the UK, butter chicken has now become a globally loved Indian dish. It appears on restaurant menus from London to Los Angeles to Sydney. The rich creamy gravy strikes the perfect balance of flavors for many palates. It’s also become a staple dish for home cooks around the world, with many shortcut versions using cream and tomato sauce from a jar.
While origins are debatable, both India and the UK likely have claim to early forms of the dish. The many immigrants who brought Indian cuisine around the world, adapting recipes while retaining core flavors, helped make dishes like butter chicken globally iconic.
Butter Chicken vs Chicken Tikka Masala
Butter chicken is often confused with another popular Indian restaurant dish, chicken tikka masala. While they have some similarities, there are some key differences:
| Butter Chicken | Chicken Tikka Masala |
|---|---|
| Contains bone-in chicken pieces | Uses boneless chicken chunks (tikka) |
| chicken is marinated then simmered in sauce | Chicken is marinated and grilled, then added to sauce |
| Sauce is slightly spicy | Sauce is usually less spicy |
| Tomato-butter gravy | Creamy tomato sauce |
So while both dishes use a creamy tomato sauce, butter chicken cooks the chicken in the sauce while tikka masala adds grilled chicken pieces to a separate curry sauce.
Butter Chicken Around the World
Here is some information about the global popularity of butter chicken:
- UK – Remains one of the most popular dishes at Indian restaurants. A survey showed it’s the 2nd most popular Indian dish ordered in the UK after chicken tikka masala.
- US – Has gained widespread popularity along with growth of Indian cuisine. Many restaurants offer innovative fusion versions like butter chicken burritos or pizzas.
- Canada – Extremely popular option at Indian eateries across Canada. Even featured on cooking shows like Top Chef Canada.
- Australia – Beloved dish in Australia, with polls showing it’s the country’s favourite Indian curry. Australian versions sometimes include bacon or shrimp.
- Africa – Growing popularity in South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique and others with large Indian diaspora populations.
Clearly this iconic dish has developed global appeal far beyond its roots in India and the UK. The rich gravy pairs well with the usual sides like naan, rice or roti. It also adapt well to fusion cooking, with butter chicken poutine now a popular dish in Canada.
Conclusion
Butter chicken has complex origins tracing back to classic Indian dishes like murgh makhani, but was likely popularized and modified by Indian immigrant communities in the UK in the 1960s and 70s. The name and hallmarks like the creamy tomato gravy emerged from efforts to adapt cooking techniques and flavors to Western tastes.
It now enjoys global popularity as a staple of Indian restaurant menus, developing an iconic status like similar dishes including chicken tikka masala. The debates over its exact origins reflect the widespread passion people have for this rich, buttery, creamy chicken dish. Butter chicken stands as one of the most beloved examples of the way Indian cooking has shaped global culinary landscapes.