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History: Butter chicken, also known as murgh makhani, is a beloved Indian dish that originated in Delhi in the early 1900s at the Moti Mahal restaurant. The dish consists of marinated chicken cooked in a creamy tomato-based sauce infused with spices like garam masala, cumin, and coriander, commonly paired with rice or bread. This rich and buttery sauce is the hallmark of the dish, which has become a prominent feature of Indian cuisine enjoyed globally.

The story behind the creation of butter chicken is as intriguing as the dish itself. The Moti Mahal restaurant, founded by Mokha Singh Lamba in Peshawar, employed Kundan Lal Gujral and Kundan Lal Jaggi as servers. Following the restaurant’s closure just before partition, Gujral acquired the establishment from Singh and rebranded it as Moti Mahal. Gujral’s innovation of using a tomato-based sauce with butter, cream, and spices to revitalize leftover Tandoori Chicken led to the birth of Butter Chicken.
The culinary legacy of Peshawar found a new home in Delhi when the original Moti Mahal was reopened in the capital. While Butter Chicken has undergone adaptations to suit diverse tastes over the years, the fundamental elements of marinating chicken in a yogurt and spice blend and slow-cooking it in a thick, creamy tomato sauce have remained consistent. Today, Butter Chicken is readily available in numerous countries with a South Asian diaspora, including Pakistan, India, and beyond.

Originating from the bustling streets of Delhi, Butter Chicken is a culinary masterpiece that marries tender pieces of chicken with a luscious, creamy tomato-based sauce. Infused with a medley of spices like garam masala, cumin, and fenugreek leaves, this dish is a true testament to the richness of Indian flavors. Served alongside fluffy naan bread or fragrant basmati rice, Butter Chicken pairs perfectly with a refreshing mango lassi or a crisp Indian Pale Ale (IPA), balancing its velvety texture with a touch of sweetness or hoppy bitterness. With its origins rooted in the heart of North India, Butter Chicken has become a beloved dish worldwide, captivating diners with its irresistible flavors and creamy consistency.