Regarding dishes that have won over millions of people worldwide, butter chicken is definitely at the top. Known as murgh makhani in India, it’s one of the most searched recipes these days, and it’s easy to see why. With its creamy, rich flavours and a perfect blend of spices, butter chicken has become a favourite for food lovers everywhere.
Surprisingly, butter chicken was created by accident! It all started when some leftover tandoori chicken was mixed with a leftover buttery tomato gravy, creating the perfect blend of texture and taste. What began as a simple mix of chicken, butter, and tomatoes has become a global sensation.
So, how did this dish become such a hit worldwide? And why is it considered one of the best Indian foods out there?
Plus, if you’re craving the best Indian food in Calgary, where should you go to enjoy some mouthwatering butter chicken?
What Makes Butter Chicken So Tasty?
It’s tough to think of a non-vegetarian celebration in India without butter chicken appearing. The world has realized this dish's true brilliance and welcomed it with open arms. Like several places worldwide, Canada embraced the beauty of butter chicken in 1970, and it slowly became a favourite among many people. Calgary is a city in Alberta, Canada, where people love Indian cuisine. Indian food in Calgary is a rainbow of flavours, and each dish is a true example of India’s hospitality and culinary culture.
Let’s start unfolding the secret to the dish tasting so good and why it’s got what it’s got.
1. Ingredients - Ingredients play the difference when it comes to the beloved butter chicken. To achieve the perfect flavour, using high-quality ingredients is a game changer. Generally, two different lists of ingredients are used for making lip-smacking butter chicken. One list features the ingredients for the marinade and the other for the sauce. As per our authentic Indian restaurant in Calgary, below is the list of ingredients:
For the Marinade: Typically, boneless cubes of tender chicken (mainly thigh or breast), fresh yoghurt, a range of spices like turmeric, ginger-garlic paste, red chilli powder, a little salt, and a dash of lime. All these ingredients are combined, mixed properly, and made to sit for a while. The longer the marinade is set aside, the tastier the outcome of the dish.
For the Sauce: Butter is the star ingredient in the dish, along with pureed tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, heavy cream, garam masala, cumin, coriander powder, fenugreek, salt to taste, sugar or honey (optional), and red chilli powder.
2. How Do Fats Play a Role in Elevating the Dish? -Do you know where butter chicken derives its charming appeal from? Of course, the answer is hidden in its name, “Butter” or cream. The role of fat in this dish can not be overlooked, as it infuses a whole lot of flavour and texture with each bite. The butter or cream helps mellow on extra spice, creating a velvety sensation that perfectly wraps around your palate. Apart from this, fats play a main role in bringing out the complete flavours of the ingredients to the max.
PS: if you feel like ordering the tastiest butter chicken, order today from our authentic Indian restaurant in Calgary.
3. The Right Amount of Spices is a Game Changer - Now, when we talk about Indian food, the role of spices and herbs can not be understated. Spices like turmeric, salt, red chilli powder, ginger-garlic paste, cumin, garam masala, and fenugreek are used in perfect proportions with amounts not too much or too little. Any excess spices will overpower the other flavours and might not appeal to your palate.
4. The Role of Tomatoes - Tomatoes are known as a great acidity regulator in food as they help to balance the spices and flavours in Indian dishes. That is why our Indian restaurant in Calgary uses tomato as one of the main ingredients for the sauce.
The natural acidity in tomatoes helps balance the richness of the fats in the butter chicken, preventing it from feeling too heavy on the palate. Tomatoes also help to add a zesty and refreshing taste to the sauce, preventing an overly oily mouthfeel.
5. The Logic Behind the Marination Process - Marination is an important step when making dishes like the classic butter chicken. Apart from elevating the dish's taste, the yoghurt plays a key role in breaking down the muscle fibres of the chicken, giving it a more tender and juicy texture.
Yoghurt also helps to retain moisture in the chicken, which keeps it juicy throughout the cooking process. The yoghurt also helps to infuse the meat with spices and brings out its richness to the max.
Order the tastiest butter chicken in Calgary from our authentic Indian restaurant, and we can ensure you keep coming back for more.
6. The Butter - The essence of butter chicken is incomplete without adding its star ingredient. Without butter, the dish is like the night sky without the stars, the oceans without their water, the endless saga. Adding a dollop of butter towards the end of the prep gives it a signature appeal. The fats in butter or cream round the spice levels and the herby flavours, giving each bite a lingering and deep flavour.
Try our delicious murg makhani oozing with velvety and rich buttery goodness at Gate of India, an authentic Indian restaurant in Calgary.
7. Garnishing is Crucial - A garnish of coriander or fenugreek acts as a cherry on the top. The dish not only looks visually appealing but all the way more delicious. Pair your favourite butter chicken with lip-smacking garlic naan/ butter naan or a portion of jeera rice for a true Indian feast.
Elevate your overall experience by dining at the best Indian restaurant in Calgary, where we ensure that you have an experience you’ll always cherish.
In conclusion, butter chicken has won over food lovers everywhere with its deliciousness. Every part of making this dish, from the first step to the final garnish, is important for creating that perfect flavour and appeal.
If you’re craving amazing Indian food in Calgary, head to Gate of India, where every bite is a taste of happiness.