When you’re craving flavorful comfort food, butter chicken is the way to go. It’s the ideal blend of creamy, savoury, and a touch of tanginess that makes every bite satisfying.
In a city as colourful as London, I have had the opportunity to find great places that can satisfy my hunger for butter chicken needs. Whether you want to know where the best butter chicken in London is or how you can make it yourself, we have got all your answers here. Let’s dive in.
What is Butter Chicken?
Butter chicken is an extremely popular Indian dish consisting of marinated chicken cooked in a buttery, creamy tomato-based sauce. The grilled chicken heartily absorbs the buttery, yoghurt-driven sauce with warming spices such as garam masala and fenugreek.
It is sweet and tangy, with a hint of spice. True comfort food paired with naan or basmati rice! It truly has all the taste of India in warmth and depth.
Why is Butter Chicken So Popular?
So, what is it about butter chicken that made it the most iconic of icons? In my case, it’s the flavour that keeps bringing me back. I mean, there is just something about the richness of the sauce and tender chicken that works.
There may also be a misconception of its accessibility, not only in flavour. It is so simple to whip together at home if you have the essentials, but it is still rewarding to get takeout.
Whether you want it as a main meal with rice and naan or packed up in your lunch sandwich, it works for every situation.
The 10 Greatest Locations For Butter Chicken in London
I am exploring (for food’s sake, of course) to find the best butter chicken in London. These are a few of the better places that get it right.
- Bengal Village: Another favourite local place to get butter chicken. They have a really creamy, rich-tasting option with traditional flavours for dine-in or take-out in a casual atmosphere. Just what you want for a classic, filling meal.
- Dilchad: Dilchad, a family-run Indian restaurant since 1962 in Spitalfields, London, serves authentic Bengali and Southeast Asian-inspired dishes. Known for its flavorful curries, Butter chicken, tandoori chicken, and biryanis, it offers catering for corporate events, weddings, and special occasions.
- Dishoom: With its contemporary take on an Indian dining experience, Dishoom serves a butter chicken that is rich and deliciously spiced. And the whole vibe of the site makes it a good place to visit.
- Tayyabs: A popular Pakistani joint, Tayyabs is no slouch when it comes to butter chicken, served with a perfect amount of creaminess.
- Chicken Tikka Masala: Great if you want a more basic, classic butter chicken with no bells and whistles.
- Benares: A fine-dining option, Benares offers a sophisticated take on the butter chicken with expertly balanced spicing.
- Cinnamon Club: Set in a former library, this spot serves innovative Indian dishes such as butter chicken with a twist.
- Tamarind Kitchen: Their butter chicken is very melt-in-your-mouth, begging-for-more kind of good.
- Punjabi Grill: Best butter chicken, served as close to home-style cooking as you can get.
- Buttery Chicken: Tandoori Nights (you cannot get much simpler than this, but it tastes so good)
My Favorite Spot for Butter Chicken in London
For butter chicken in London, there is one spot I know I have over and over in Bengal Village. It places a little twist on this traditional dish while still nailing the flavour.
What makes Bengal Village different is their balance. Having an overall rich and creamy sauce without being too heavy and an excellent range of spices. The chicken itself is always tender and cooked just right; each piece dissolves into the sauce.
My first recommendation for a higher-end yet still true to its roots, butter chicken, is Bengal Village. Every time is a treat there, and it’s great to visit!
What Makes a Great Butter Chicken?
In other words, what makes for a good butter chicken? There are a few things that matter to me:
Rich, Creamy Sauce: For butter chicken, we want our sauce to be thick and silky without being too much.
Tender Chicken: The chicken must be well marinated to seep in all these spices and keep juicy.
Great Tastes: Butter chicken is a matter of balance. Some sweetness, some tang and a little heat to flavour this spicy affair.
If you’re making it at home, these are things to aim for. Fortunately, hitting those flavour notes at home is easier than you might think.
Ingredients for Butter Chicken
Here’s what you’ll need to make butter chicken at home. There are two parts to this dish: the marinade and the gravy.
For the Marinade
- 500g boneless chicken
- 1 cup yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt to taste
For the Gravy
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 2 cups tomato purée
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make Butter Chicken at Home
Even more rewarding than eating butter chicken is making it at home. It’s surprisingly easy. Try this simple recipe:
Marinate the Chicken: Chicken with yoghurt, lemon juice, garlic paste, ginger paste, and chilli powder. Add the Chicken and let it rest for at least 30 minutes (overnight is better).
Preparation steps for butter chicken: Heat oil in a pan and fry marinated Chicken till golden brown. Set it aside.
Prepare the sauce: Melt butter in that same pan, then add onions, garlic, and ginger paste to the pan. Sauté until the onions are tender, then add tomato paste, chilli powder, and garam masala. Cook on it till the oil starts to separate from it.
Mix & Simmer: Add the Chicken back into the sauce, cover, and cook for 10–15 minutes.
Add Heavy Cream:
Pour in the heavy cream.Mix it.Allow a few more minutes of cooking time until it is thoroughly combined.Now pair it with naan or basmati rice, and you will have a restaurant-style butter chicken dish that is ready to enjoy at home.
Other Popular Indian Dishes to Try
Butter chicken is not the only one found in Indian cuisine. If you’re wanting to further dive into it, here are some more favourites:
Chicken Tikka Masala: The spice level is slightly higher than butter chicken.
Saag Paneer: A vegetarian dish consisting of spinach and paneer cheese.
Biryani: A spiced rice dish with mixed meat or vegetables
Naan: This spongy bread is ideal for absorbing curry.
Samosa: Crispy fried pastries stuffed with spicy potatoes or meat.
Where to Learn More About Indian Food
For those who want to explore Indian food even further, many resources are out there. London Cooking classes are always a fun option for learning from experts. Also, cheque out food blogs or cookbooks with Indian dishes. You could even venture out—from time to time—referring to a number of the town’s Indian restaurants and simply attempt something extraordinary every single outing.
Conclusion: Enjoying Butter Chicken in London
We love food, and we hear London is buzzing with options for butter chicken lovers of all kinds. Butter chicken is always a winner, no matter if you’re looking to go out for the evening and hit all the best restaurants or try your hand at making it at home! I would call it the type of dish that you would repeatedly go back for. All you could wish in a good meal — comforting, satiating, downright tasty.
So, if you want something a little spicy and very delicious, now you know what to order. Grab a plate of butter chicken, dig in, and enjoy every bite.
FAQs
1. What is butter chicken called in London?
Butter chicken is known as “butter chicken” or “murgh makhani” in London. In Indian restaurants, both these terms are thrown at you
2. Do they have butter chicken in the UK?
Yes, Butter chicken can be found in the UK and is mainly served in Indian and Pakistani restaurants. Widely available from curry houses to fine dining restaurants, it is a beloved dish of British-Indian cuisine.
3. Is Butter Chicken spicy?
Butter chicken tends to be mild to medium because it is intended to be rich and creamy with a sweet tomato flavour. But most restaurants allow alterations on the spice level however you like. The restaurant can make it spicy if you would like it that way.
4. Is Butter Chicken the same as Chicken Tikka Masala?
While both dishes are popular in Indian cuisine, they are not the same. Butter chicken (murgh makhani) is a creamy dish with a tomato-based sauce, usually made with leftover tandoori chicken. Chicken tikka masala, on the other hand, is typically made with grilled chicken pieces in a spicier, tangier tomato sauce. Both are delicious, but butter chicken is usually milder and creamier.
5. Can I make Butter Chicken at home in London?
Absolutely! Butter chicken is a dish you can make at home with ingredients available in most supermarkets or speciality Indian grocery stores in London. You’ll need chicken, tomatoes, cream, butter, and a mix of spices. There are many recipes available online for both traditional and quicker versions.