History of Butter Chicken – The Global Favorite

What makes butter chicken an all-time favourite is the flawless balance of flavours.

The dish features a velvety gravy that creates the perfect balance between mild and gentle sweetness. This luxurious sauce, typically made with a blend of tomatoes, cream, butter, and a medley of aromatic spices, offers a deeply satisfying flavour profile that caters to a wide range of palates. 

The subtle sweetness of the dish enhances its creamy texture, while the carefully selected spices—such as garam masala, cumin, coriander, and fenugreek—add warmth and complexity without overwhelming the senses.

Whether you're someone who enjoys just a hint of sweetness or someone who appreciates the depth that comes from layered spice blends, Butter Chicken delivers a harmonious culinary experience.

Butter Chicken isn’t just a dish—it’s a cultural experience on a plate. Born in the kitchens of Delhi, this creamy, spiced classic brings people together with its rich flavours and comforting warmth. The chicken provides lean protein, supporting muscle health. Ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, and ginger add antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits. The use of yogurt or cream adds calcium for bone health. While rich, pairing it with whole grains like brown rice or whole wheat naan can make it a wholesome, energising meal.

Tourists in the Netherlands, looking for a taste of Indian cuisine, have the special opportunity to explore the vibrant vegetarian and non-vegetarian culture that several Indian restaurants in the Netherlands offer. These restaurants have gluten-free and vegan options as well. To top it all, visitors can also experience the traditional Indian cooking techniques used to make the dishes.

So, whether one is looking forward to try the authentic Indian veg restaurants in Den Haag or experience the flavors of Indian non veg restaurants in the city of Den Haag , there is something for every palate.



Humble Beginnings in Post-Partition Delhi

Unlike several other traditional dishes, butter chicken has a surprisingly recent origin.

The birth can be traced back to the  1940s in Delhi, India during a period following the partition of India and Pakistan. Kundan Lal Gujral, a restaurateur, had fled from Peshawar which is now in Pakistan, to Delhi after partition, and he had opened a restaurant called Moti Mahal in Delhi in 1947.

Kundan Lal Gujral had previously worked in a small eatery in Pakistan, where tandoori chicken was one of his specialties, and he had brought this expertise with him to his new establishment in Delhi. After a couple of experiments, butter chicken was created as a practical solution for the common problem faced by several restaurants in Delhi: “What to do with leftover tandoori chicken?”

Kundan Lal Gujral’s genius solution was to create a sauce made with tomatoes, butter, and other various spices, and then let them all simmer with the leftover chicken pieces. He discovered that the tanginess of the tomatoes combined beautifully with the smoky flavour of the tandoori Chicken, which had been previously cooked in a clay oven.

The Secret Behind the Flavor

What began as a creative culinary invention in a Delhi kitchen soon became a beloved favorite nationwide. Diners from all over the place requested this creamy tomato chicken dish; thus, butter chicken was officially born.

What made Butter Chicken distinct from other tomato-based curries was the specific technique and balance of flavours that Gujral had developed over time. The pre-cooking of the chicken in the tandoor left a smoky char that the tomato-based sauce absorbed, creating a harmonious balance that appealed to a wide range of people. 

The spice blend was also extremely crucial and played a significant part in making butter chicken what it is today. Fenugreek leaves became a signature ingredient, giving Butter Chicken its distinctive aroma and slightly bitter undertones.



 From India to the World

By the 1950s, Moti Mahal had become a popular institution in Delhi, attracting notable visitors from all around the world, including the Indian Prime Minister, international dignitaries, and well-known celebrities. After the partition, India's connections with the world grew and flourished in the post-independence era and so the fame of butter chicken began to travel worldwide. 

The dish began its journey abroad primarily through the Indian diaspora, as many Indians migrated to countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, Europe, and the United States. These Indians brought their culinary traditions along with them and began opening restaurants in the cities around the world, featuring butter chicken prominently in their respective menus. 

Thus, Butter Chicken became a gateway dish for many non Indians exploring the cuisine for the first time.



Adaptation and Evolution

As Butter Chicken spread globally, it underwent several adaptations to suit the local taste and pair with the available local ingredients. In the western world, restaurants increased the amount of cream and butter to make the dish even richer, while some variations became sweeter and others amped up the spice level. The dish also inspired several fusion dish ideas from butter chicken pizza and butter chicken pasta to butter chicken poutine in Canada and boterkip kapsalon in the Netherlands.

Wrapping Up

Today, butter chicken has transcended its origins to become a cultural favourite for India and beyond. It often ranks among the world's most popular dishes in international food service, and has also become mainstream across Europe. 

Craving the rich flavors of Butter Chicken? Then treat yourself to the authentic taste at Chopra’s Redfort Indian Streetfood, where your next favorite meal awaits!