Why Is It Called Butter Chicken? Uncovering the Origins of the Creamy Indian Classic

Butter chicken is one of the most popular Indian dishes around the world. With its rich, creamy tomato-based gravy and tender pieces of marinated chicken, it’s easy to see why it has gained global fame. But how did this delicious curry get its name?

The origins of butter chicken can be traced back to India in the mid-20th century Here’s the fascinating story behind its creation and how it got its iconic name

Born Out of Ingenuity in 1950s Delhi

Butter chicken was created by chance in the 1950s at Moti Mahal restaurant in Delhi. The chefs, Kundan Lal Gujral and Kundan Lal Jaggi, found themselves with a dilemma – what to do with leftover tandoori chicken from the day before?

Rather than wasting the unsold chicken, they had the ingenious idea to create a tomato-based gravy enriched with butter (makhan) and fresh spices. They then simmered the tandoori chicken pieces in this creamy, fragrant sauce.

This innovation transformed their leftovers into an incredibly flavorful, velvety curry. And with that, the earliest version of butter chicken was born!

A Name That Simply States the Facts

So how did this improvised curry get the name butter chicken? Quite simply, it’s a literal description of the dish’s two key components:

• Butter – The gravy contains a generous amount of butter, which gives it a rich, silky texture.

• Chicken – Specifically tandoori chicken, chicken pieces that are marinated in yogurt and spices before being roasted in a tandoor clay oven.

The creators chose a name that transparently conveyed the contents of the dish. While it may seem plain, the no-frills name speaks to the honesty of the recipe.

Gaining Popularity Across India in the 1960s-70s

After its creation in the 1950s, butter chicken steadily gained popularity across North India over the next two decades. Its reputation grew as both a specialty restaurant dish and homemade meal.

By the 1970s, the term “butter chicken” had become commonly used to describe the dish. Several early cookbooks featured recipes for butter chicken, cementing its position as a prized Indian curry.

International Fame from the 1980s Onwards

From the 1980s onwards, butter chicken catapulted to international fame. As Indian restaurants proliferated around the world, butter chicken frequently featured on their menus. Its universal appeal lay in its mild, creamy flavors and smooth texture.

Soon it became one of the most recognized Indian dishes abroad. While alternatives like chicken tikka masala also became popular, butter chicken remained a classic staple at Indian eateries.

An Iconic Name for an Iconic Dish

While its inception was unplanned, butter chicken has become legendary. Its memorable name encapsulates the essence of the recipe – velvety, tomato-tinged curry punctuated by buttery notes.

The moniker “butter chicken” turned an impromptu meal into one of India’s gifts to the global culinary stage. Its origins may be humble, but its taste has made it a worldwide sensation.

So the next time you savor butter chicken’s signature flavors, you can appreciate the fascinating history in each bite! From creative beginnings in 1950s Delhi to international icon status today, the journey of this famous curry is as rich as its taste.