Creamy and savory, Indian butter chicken is a must-order for any fan of Indian cuisine. An extremely popular dish at most Indian restaurants in America, this combination of tender chicken and rich sauce is equally delicious with basmati rice or Indian naan. While butter chicken can be time-consuming to make, the results are deliciously fulfilling and perfect for leftovers.

To help us navigate this classic dish, The Manual has collected five amazing recipes from various chefs and Indian cuisine professionals, including Maneet Chauhan, a Food Network star, and restaurateur Gaurav Anand. With the expert guidance of these chefs, butter chicken can be a great addition to anyone’s dinner repertoire.

Because of the similarities between butter chicken and chicken tikka masala — both dishes feature chicken in a tomato-laced, cream-based sauce — the two are often confused for one another. However, the two dishes are different, each with its own unique history and flavor. Butter chicken (murgh makhani) was created in the late 1940s by Chef Kundan Lal Gujral as a way to utilize tandoori chicken. With an emphasis on cream and tandoor cooked chicken, butter chicken is quintessentially a Northern Indian dish, a region well-known for its use of rich, dairy-based sauces. In comparison, chicken tikka masala is believed to be invented by a Bangladeshi chef in Scotland during the 1970s. Now, chicken tikka masala is everywhere in Great Britain, becoming one of the most popular dishes in the country.

When compared head to head, butter chicken is generally more spiced, with a richer butter flavor than chicken tikka masala. Generally, chicken tikka masala is made with boneless white meat compared to the shredded dark meat of butter chicken (although this can depend on individual recipes). The key to a great butter chicken, besides the spice blend, is the chicken itself. The chicken should be properly marinated and cooked (preferably charbroiled in a tandoor oven) before it is stewed with the sauce.

The butter chicken recipe is from Gaurav Anand, a chef and restaurateur in New York City. Named the “Best Caterer” in New York by NY Magazine in 2021, Anand is the owner of Moti Mahal Delux, Bhatti Indian Grill, and Awadh restaurants. Originally from New Delhi, Anand is a passionate voice for Indian cuisine in America.

This butter chicken recipe is intricate, including two separate marination stages for the chicken. For the sauce, Anand is keen to emphasize the importance of blending. “It’s very important to blend the sauce for the full 2 minutes after cooking to release all the flavors,” said Anand. “After blending the sauce, make sure to strain it over a saucepan so you have a smooth sauce. Then add the butter, cream, and chicken.”

Prep Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 2 1/2 hours Yield: Serves 3-4 servings

An Indian American chef and food television personality, Maneet Chauhan is a frequent judge on Chopped and winner of Food Network’s 2021 Tournament of Champions. A Culinary Institute of America graduate, Chauhan is an experienced chef and one of the sought-after authorities on Indian cuisine in America. This recipe from Chauhan replaces the standard cream with coconut milk, giving the dish a different flavor profile.

Prep Time: 25 minutes + 1-2 hour marinade  Total Time: 2 hours Yield: Serves 4-6 servings

This recipe from The Modern Proper is the definition of simple and delicious. Requiring only 30 minutes, this butter chicken is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner when time is limited. The best part? This pot of goodness is guaranteed to be a certified hit at the dinner table.

Prep Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Yield: Serves 6

Packed with succulent, marinated chicken thighs, this butter chicken recipe from Nagi of Recipe Tin Eats is full of flavor. While butter chicken recipes might seem the same visually, every recipe is different. For example, this Recipe Tin Eats version calls for full-fat yogurt, ghee, and heavy cream, producing an end result that’s rich and savory.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 35 minutes Yield: Serves 3-4

This delicious recipe from Karina of Cafe Delites is designed for a big crowd (or big eaters). A flexible recipe that calls for chicken thighs or breast, this butter chicken recipe combines heart-healthy olive oil with ghee for a unique flavor that pops in every bite.

Prep Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 45 minutes Yield: Serves 5-6

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