Are you craving that rich, creamy, and slightly spicy Indian delicacy known as butter chicken? I totally get it! As a massive butter chicken enthusiast myself, I’ve spent countless hours tracking down the best places to satisfy my cravings Whether you’re looking for restaurant-quality butter chicken, ready-to-heat options, or ingredients to make it yourself, I’ve got you covered with this comprehensive guide
What Exactly Is Butter Chicken?
Before diving into where to find it, let’s quickly talk about what makes butter chicken so darn delicious This popular North Indian dish (also known as Murgh Makhani) consists of tender chicken pieces marinated in yogurt and spices, then simmered in a rich, creamy tomato sauce with butter and aromatic spices. The result is a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and spicy flavors that’s absolutely irresistible.
Quick-Service Options for Butter Chicken
When hunger strikes and you need butter chicken ASAP, these options will save the day:
1. DoorDash Delivery
DoorDash has become my go-to when I’m craving butter chicken but don’t wanna leave the house. They partner with countless Indian restaurants and deliver straight to your door. Just search “butter chicken near me” on their platform, and you’ll see all available options in your area
Pro tip: Check the ratings and reviews to find the highest-rated butter chicken in your neighborhood. Many restaurants on DoorDash specialize in authentic Indian cuisine and offer butter chicken as one of their signature dishes.
2. Local Indian Restaurants
Nothing beats the authentic experience of enjoying freshly prepared butter chicken at a local Indian restaurant. Most Indian restaurants have butter chicken on their menu as it’s one of the most popular dishes. Some even offer lunch specials that include butter chicken at a discounted price!
My personal experience: I’ve found that family-owned Indian restaurants often have the most authentic and flavorful butter chicken, made from recipes passed down through generations.
Grocery Store Options for Butter Chicken
If you prefer enjoying butter chicken at home without restaurant prices, grocery stores offer several convenient options:
1. Walmart’s Butter Chicken Selection
Walmart carries an impressive variety of butter chicken products, including:
- Ready-to-eat frozen meals – Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice (10 oz) for $3.96, which has a 4.3/5 star rating from 102 reviews
- Deep Indian Kitchen Butter Chicken (9oz) for $5.47, which customers rate highly at 4.6/5 stars from 202 reviews
- Simmer sauces – Popular options include Patak’s Butter Chicken Simmer Sauce (15 oz) for $4.43 and Passage to India Butter Chicken Simmer Sauce (13.2 oz) for $3.48
- Seasoning mixes – McCormick Butter Chicken Seasoning Mix (0.87 oz) for only $1.83
- Curry pastes – Kitchens of India Butter Chicken Curry Paste (3.5 oz) available in various pack sizes
Walmart also offers multi-packs for many of these products, which can save you money if you’re a regular butter chicken consumer like me!
2. Target’s Butter Chicken Options
Target also carries butter chicken products, though their selection might be smaller than Walmart’s. You can find butter chicken simmer sauces, ready-to-eat meals, and seasoning mixes in their international foods section.
Shopping tip: Target Circle members can sometimes find deals on international foods, including Indian cuisine products like butter chicken sauces.
Premium and Specialty Butter Chicken Options
If you’re looking for something a bit more special or have dietary restrictions, consider these options:
1. Specialty Camping/Backpacking Meals
For outdoor enthusiasts, Walmart sells “The Best Butter Chicken & Rice” freeze-dried backpacking meal for $17.95. It has an impressive 4.8/5 star rating and is perfect for camping trips when you’re craving something more exciting than typical trail food.
2. Gourmet Butter Chicken Products
Some specialty and gourmet products available include:
- Rani Butter Chicken Curry Paste (10.5oz) for $10.99 – Vegan, no artificial colors, all-natural, non-GMO, and gluten-free
- Butter Chicken Gourmet Seasoning Blend (1.4 oz) for $11.99 – All-natural and gluten-free with a perfect 5/5 star rating
Making Butter Chicken at Home From Scratch
If you’re feeling adventurous and want the most authentic experience, making butter chicken from scratch is totally worth it! Here’s what you’ll need:
Essential Ingredients:
- Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work best
- Yogurt – For marinating the chicken
- Tomatoes – The base of the sauce
- Cream – For that rich, creamy texture
- Butter – Obviously!
- Spices – Common ones include garam masala, turmeric, cumin, coriander, and kashmiri red chili powder
Many grocery stores sell pre-mixed butter chicken spice blends if you don’t want to buy all the individual spices. Shan Butter Chicken Mix (50g box) is available at Walmart for $6.99 and has a solid 4.3/5 star rating.
Budget-Friendly Butter Chicken Options
Butter chicken doesn’t have to break the bank! Here are some wallet-friendly ways to enjoy this delicious dish:
- Walmart’s store brand frozen butter chicken meals often cost less than name brands
- Buy simmer sauces in multi-packs – A 3-pack of Patak’s Butter Chicken Simmer Sauce costs $13.29 at Walmart, saving you money compared to buying three individual jars
- Make a large batch at home – Cooking butter chicken from scratch can be very economical, especially when serving multiple people
Time-Saving Options for Busy People
When life gets hectic but you still want your butter chicken fix:
- Microwave-ready meals – Many frozen butter chicken meals can be ready in 5 minutes or less
- Simmer sauces – Just add cooked chicken to the sauce and heat through
- Meal kits – Street Kitchen Indian Butter Chicken Scratch Kit (9 oz) provides all the flavorings you need, just add fresh ingredients
Comparing Popular Butter Chicken Products
To help you decide which product might be best for you, here’s a comparison of some popular options available at Walmart:
| Product | Price | Size | Rating | Prep Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice | $3.96 | 10 oz | 4.3/5 | Microwave ready |
| Deep Indian Kitchen Butter Chicken | $5.47 | 9 oz | 4.6/5 | Microwave ready |
| Patak’s Butter Chicken Simmer Sauce | $4.43 | 15 oz | 4.4/5 | ~20 min with cooked chicken |
| Passage to India Butter Chicken Sauce | $3.48 | 13.2 oz | 3.6/5 | ~20 min with cooked chicken |
| McCormick Butter Chicken Seasoning Mix | $1.83 | 0.87 oz | 3.5/5 | ~30 min total cooking |
My Personal Recommendations
After trying many different butter chicken options, here are my personal favorites:
- Best restaurant option: Find a small, family-owned Indian restaurant with good reviews. The authenticity is usually worth the extra few dollars.
- Best grocery store ready-to-eat: Deep Indian Kitchen Butter Chicken (4.6/5 stars at Walmart) offers the best balance of convenience and taste.
- Best simmer sauce: Patak’s Butter Chicken Simmer Sauce has consistently good flavor and is super easy to use.
- Best for camping: The Best Butter Chicken & Rice freeze-dried meal is surprisingly delicious for a shelf-stable product.
Tips for Enjoying the Best Butter Chicken Experience
No matter where you get your butter chicken, these tips will help enhance your experience:
- Serve with proper sides – Naan bread or basmati rice are perfect for soaking up that delicious sauce
- Add fresh garnishes – A sprinkle of fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice can elevate even store-bought butter chicken
- Pair with the right beverage – A cold Kingfisher beer or mango lassi complements butter chicken perfectly
- Don’t forget the chutney – Mango chutney adds a sweet contrast to the rich, savory flavors
Butter Chicken for Special Dietary Needs
Many retailers now offer butter chicken options for various dietary needs:
- Gluten-free – Look for products specifically labeled gluten-free, like many of the Passage Foods and Rani products
- Vegetarian/Vegan – Try butter “chicken” made with tofu, paneer, or chickpeas instead of chicken
- Lower calorie – Some brands offer lighter versions with less cream and butter
Final Thoughts on Finding Great Butter Chicken
Butter chicken is one of those magical dishes that’s beloved worldwide for good reason. Whether you’re grabbing it from DoorDash, picking up ready-made options from Walmart or Target, or making it from scratch, there’s a butter chicken option out there for every preference and budget.
My advice? Try a few different options to discover your personal favorite. Maybe you’ll prefer the convenience of a simmer sauce one day and the full restaurant experience another. The butter chicken world is your oyster!
What’s your favorite way to enjoy butter chicken? Do you have a go-to restaurant or product I didn’t mention? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
P.S. Don’t forget that many grocery stores regularly rotate sales on international foods, so keep an eye out for deals on your favorite butter chicken products. I’ve saved tons by stocking up when Patak’s sauces go on sale at my local Walmart!
Why is chicken marinated for Korma?
I have tested & retested chicken korma a lot of times without marinating and realized it made a huge difference to the flavor and texture. Chicken unlike red meat, cooks faster and does not get enough time to soak up the flavors while cooking.
I found the resulting dish was not as flavorful & succulent as the marinated chicken. This step also helps to get rid of the raw meat flavor quickly.
Photo Guide
Step by Step Photo Instructions
1. To a mixing bowl, add
- ½ kg chicken (1.2 lbs. skinless, bone-in preferred but boneless is okay)
- 3 tablespoons plain yogurt (or coconut milk)
- 1 tablespoon ginger & garlic paste or ½ tbsps. each grated (We usually rub the chicken with turmeric and then rinse off before cooking. Hence the yellow color here.)
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder (or paprika)
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon salt
3. Mix well to coat the chicken with the spices. Cover and keep aside until needed or refrigerate overnight if you want.
Butter Chicken | Chicken Butter Masala | Chicken Recipe | Non Veg Curries | Home Cooking Show
FAQ
What is butter chicken called at restaurants?
Butter chicken — or murgh makhani — is a dish so beloved, it’s now ubiquitous on Indian restaurant menus the world over. Yet, it started life as a way of repurposing leftovers.
Where is butter chicken found?
Butter chicken is a type of curry made from chicken cooked in a spiced tomato and butter (makhan)-based gravy. The gravy is typically known for its rich texture. It is similar to chicken tikka masala, which uses a tomato paste. The dish originates in Delhi, India.
Is butter chicken healthy or unhealthy?
- Nutritional Balance: Butter chicken is rich in calories, fats, and sodium, which can lead to an unbalanced diet if consumed daily.
- Health Concerns: Consuming high levels of saturated fat and sodium regularly can increase the risk of health issues such as heart disease, hypertension, and obesity.
Does Trader Joe’s sell butter chicken?
Trader Joe’s Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice is the ultimate #Cookinghacks for this dish. Our Butter Chicken showcases chunks of chicken enrobed in a mild, mouth-watering curry crafted of crushed tomatoes, cream, onions, garlic, ginger, butter…