Indian butter chicken is popular for its creamy tomato-based sauce, fragrant spices, and succulent chicken.
Indian butter chicken is one of the most popular Indian dishes around the world, and it’s easy to see why. Rich and creamy, this dish can be served as a main course or in a smaller portion as an appetizer.
But what to serve with indian butter chicken? This blog post will explore some creative options that pair wonderfully with this amazing meal. Read on for ideas on how to make your dinner complete!
From crunchy naan bread to fragrant basmati rice, here are some creative side dishes that will take your next meal of Indian butter chicken to the next level.
What kind of food is Indian butter chicken? What does Indian butter chicken taste like?
Indian butter chicken is a creamy, rich dish that is popular in Indian cuisine. It is made with chunks of chicken cooked in a tomato-based sauce and flavored with a blend of spices, including garam masala, ginger, garlic, cardamom and chili powder.
The sauce has a distinct flavor due to the use of clarified butter or ghee, which is used as an ingredient along with cream or yogurt. The dish is generally served with rice or naan bread.
The taste of Indian Butter Chicken varies from restaurant to restaurant, but it usually has a spicy yet creamy flavor due to the use of ingredients such as chili powder and cream.
The spices used can also make it quite pungent and give it an earthy, nutty flavor. The addition of ghee and cream makes this dish quite rich in flavor and texture.
Overall, it is a savory and flavorful dish that will satisfy your taste buds!
25+ Sides to serve with Indian butter chicken
1. Basmati Rice Pilaf
Basmati rice pairs perfectly with Indian butter chicken thanks to its nutty aroma and delicate texture.
For an extra bit of flavor, try making pilaf-style rice by sautéing garlic, onions, and spices in oil before adding the dry basmati rice. Let the mixture cook until lightly browned before adding water or broth and cooking until tender.
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2. Naan Bread
Naan is a type of flatbread that originates from India. It’s made from flour and traditionally cooked in a Tandoor oven at high temperatures.
Naan can be served plain or topped with garlic butter or cheese for added flavor. Serve warm alongside your Indian butter chicken for a delicious combination!
3. Chickpeas
Chickpeas are a great way to bulk up any meal without adding too many calories or fat.
Try cooking them up in a skillet with onion, garlic, tomato paste, cumin, coriander, garam masala, cayenne pepper, turmeric powder and salt for an aromatic side dish that will balance out the richness of your Indian butter chicken.
4. Yogurt Raita
Yogurt raita is a simple yet flavorful condiment made from yogurt and cucumbers seasoned with cumin powder and salt.
Its cool and refreshing taste will provide contrast against the rich flavors of your butter chicken dish while also helping to settle down any heat from spicy ingredients like chili peppers or curry powder.
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5. Roasted Veggies
Roasted vegetables are always a great option when looking for sides. It is excellent to serve with Indian butter chicken.
Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, and onions while still maintaining their crunchy texture.
If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try roasting parsnips or celeriac? They make excellent accompaniments to Indian butter chicken!
6. Cucumber Raita
Cucumber raita is a cooling yogurt-based salad made with cucumbers, lemon juice, cumin seeds, black pepper, and sugar.
It’s perfect for balancing out the heat of Indian butter chicken and helps make it a complete meal.
You can also add diced tomatoes or onions to this recipe if you want even more flavor and texture. To make it even easier, you can buy pre-made cucumber raita from most grocery stores now too!
7. Vegetable Biryani
Combining spices and fragrant basmati rice, vegetable biryani is a classic Indian dish perfect for pairing with butter chicken. (Recipe)
It’s hearty and flavorful and pairs perfectly with the creamy butter chicken sauce.
8. Palak Paneer
Palak Paneer is a delicious mix of creamed spinach and cubes of cheese; Palak paneer works as an excellent side dish for butter chicken.
Not only is it pleasing to look at, but its mild flavors and creamy texture pair excellently together with the flavors of this world-famous dish.
9. Aloo Gobi
Aloo Gobi is a popular North-Indian staple dish made from potatoes and cauliflower.
Aloo gobi adds a mild yet satisfying flavor to each bite when served alongside butter chicken while also providing additional texture to your plate.
10. Jeera Rice
Jeera Rice is also known as cumin rice; jeera rice is a simple yet tasty accompaniment choice for any Indian meal – especially one featuring butter chicken!
The aromatic blend of cumin seeds offers a unique flavor that enhances every bite you take when enjoying these two dishes together!
Learn More: How to Pair Jasmine Rice for a Delicious Meal
11. Onion Bhaji
Onion Bhajis are deep-fried fritters that are a must-have item on any authentic Indian dinner table, offering both crunchy texture and mouthwatering flavor that makes them an ideal partner for creamy butter chicken dishes – simply irresistible!
12. Kachumber Salad
Kachumber Salad is a quick & easy traditional salad that combines tomatoes, cucumbers & onions dressed with pungent spices like chili powder & coriander that help to bring out all of the subtle flavors found within any Indian feast – especially one featuring butter chicken!
13. Mango Chutney
Nothing beats adding some sweetness to your dinner party – especially when you serve mango chutney alongside your butter chicken!
The sweet & tangy combination offers an explosion of flavor in every single bite you take that will leave everybody coming back for more!
14. Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori Chicken is Prepared using traditional methods such as marinating it in yogurt or cream mixed with spices before being cooked in clay ovens or tandoors.
Tandoori chicken offers a delightful smoky taste that perfectly complements any creamy curry – including those featuring succulent pieces of tender Butter Chicken!
15. Dal Makhani
Dal Makhani is Made from black lentils cooked slowly on low flame until they become rich & creamy, making them great partners for dishes like Butter Chicken which need something hearty yet light on their plate too!
16. Garlic Naan Bread
Garlic Naan Bread is a twist on traditional naan bread. Adding garlic and coriander, along with other spices, provides an extra layer that makes this classic even better – especially when served up alongside some delectable Butter Chicken!
17. Pappadam Crisps
Pappadam Crisps is a crispy potato-based snack that is not just delicious but also adds an interesting crunchy texture to your plate.
Perfect if you’re looking for something lighter yet still tasty enough to enjoy each mouthful along with your Butter Chicken creations!
18. Gulab Jamun
One cannot fail to mention this quintessential Indian dessert when discussing feasting parties – Gulab Jamun is deep-fried sweet dumplings served in syrup or honey, giving them their signature sticky sweetness, which contrasts nicely against any spicy curry like Butter Chicken!
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19. Punjabi Samosas
Originating from Northern India, these savory pastries filled with spiced potatoes or mincemeat make for great starters or sides at any dinner party – delish choices when served up hot alongside Butter Chicken!
20. Bhindi Masala
Okra cooked in a spicy onion-tomato masala that pairs well with butter chicken.
21. Shahi Paneer
Cubes of paneer cooked in creamy tomato-cashew gravy for an indulgent side dish.
22. Kadhai Paneer
Bell peppers and paneer cooked together in garam masala-spiked tomato gravy for zesty flavors all around the plate. (Recipe)
23. Gobi Manchurian
Deep-fried florets of cauliflower tossed with ginger-garlic sauce for a Chinese-inspired twist on your traditional Indian meal.
24. Matar Mushroom
Mushrooms simmered with green peas in onion tomato gravy accented by fragrant spices like cumin, garam masala and cardamom powder that pair perfectly with butter chicken curry.
25. Baingan Bhartha
Baingan Bhartha is excellent to serve with Indian butter chicken. Whole eggplant roasted over an open flame until smoky and tender.
Then mashed together with chopped onions, tomatoes, garlic and cilantro to make an irresistible side dish packed full of flavor!
26. Mint Chutney
A tangy blend of mint leaves blended into cool yogurt or tamarind paste flavored with sweet pomegranate seeds is just what you need to cool down after a spoonful of hot butter chicken curry!
Indian butter chicken made of
Indian butter chicken is a popular dish that is made with marinated pieces of chicken cooked in a creamy, rich tomato-based sauce.
The main ingredients for this dish include garlic, ginger, garam masala, cumin, coriander powder, and turmeric. Onions are often added to the sauce as well.
The sauce also includes butter and heavy cream to give it its unique richness and creamy texture. As a finishing touch, chopped fresh cilantro leaves are added when the dish is served.
What is traditionally served with butter chicken?
Traditionally, butter chicken is served with basmati rice, naan bread, roti or paratha. It can also be served with a medley of vegetables such as peas, carrots and cauliflower.
Accompanying dishes such as raita (a yogurt-based condiment) and chutney are often eaten alongside the main course to provide an added touch of flavor.
Salad is sometimes served as well as a light side dish.
For dessert, it is common to have kulfi or gulab jamun, which are both traditional Indian desserts.
Overall, butter chicken makes for a delicious and hearty meal that is sure to leave you satisfied!
What are the best flavors to go with Indian butter chicken?
Indian butter chicken is a flavorful dish that has a rich, creamy sauce. To really bring out the flavors of this dish, it’s best to pair it with complimentary flavors.
Some great options include nutty basmati rice, garlic naan bread, and cooling raita. The nutty flavor of the basmati rice complements the richness of the butter chicken while adding texture and contrast.
Naan bread provides a slightly sweet and garlicky flavor that pairs well with the spiciness of Indian butter chicken.
Finally, raita adds a cooling creaminess to balance out the heat in the dish. By incorporating these traditional accompaniments into your meal, you will be sure to have an enjoyable experience!
How do you jazz up Indian butter chicken?
One way to jazz up Indian butter chicken is to marinate the chicken in a mixture of yogurt, garlic, ginger, and garam masala.
Once the chicken is marinated, slow-cook it in a rich tomato sauce with cream and spices like cumin and coriander. To add an extra flavor boost, add some freshly minced kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves).
Finally, garnish with cilantro leaves before serving. Enjoy!
How do you display Indian butter chicken on a platter?
When preparing Indian butter chicken for presentation, a platter can be used to showcase the dish. The platter should be lined with sliced bell peppers—red, yellow and green—to create a vibrant contrast to the rich golden hue of the butter chicken.
Lining the bottom of the platter with small sprigs of parsley adds an elegant garnish that helps to bring out the full flavor of the dish.
On top of this, place small portions of Indian butter chicken atop each bell pepper slice. A few leaves of fresh coriander sprinkled over the platter will give it a unique aroma and texture.
Finally, adding a few pieces of naan bread on either side gives diners an opportunity to savor each bite and truly enjoy the deliciousness that is Indian butter chicken.
Wrap Up on What to Serve with Indian Butter Chicken
When making an Indian butter chicken dinner at home, it’s important to consider what sides will complement it best.
From classic dishes such as basmati rice or naan bread to creative options like roasted veggies or cucumber raita—there are plenty of great choices that will bring your meal together perfectly!
Whether you’re entertaining guests or just looking for something special for dinner tonight, these sides will make sure your meal is unforgettable!
FAQs
How much Indian butter chicken per person?
Typically, a serving of Indian butter chicken contains about 8 ounces of meat per person, along with a generous side of basmati rice and/or naan bread.
The creamy sauce is made with a combination of tomatoes, spices, yogurt, and heavy cream for richness. It’s always accompanied by plenty of fresh cilantro leaves for flavor and aroma.
For those who prefer milder flavors, the quantity of spices can be adjusted or left out altogether to create a milder dish.
Additionally, it can also be served with sauces such as mango chutney or cucumber raita to add an extra burst of flavor and complexity.
What is the difference between butter chicken curry and tikka masala?
The two dishes, butter chicken curry and tikka masala, are both traditional Indian curries. They share many similarities, such as being cooked with a mixture of spices and a creamy tomato-based sauce.
However, there are some distinct differences between them.
Butter chicken curry is typically made with boneless chicken pieces that have been marinated in yogurt and spices, then cooked in a rich tomato sauce that contains cream or butter. The end result is a slightly sweet and creamy dish.
Tikka masala, on the other hand, typically uses chunks of marinated chicken that have been cooked in an oven or over direct heat before being added to the tomato-based sauce.
This results in a dish that has a greater depth of flavor due to the smokiness imparted by the cooking method.
Additionally, it is usually spicier than butter chicken curry due to the addition of more chili peppers or other spicy ingredients.
In terms of texture, butter chicken curry tends to be smooth and silky, whereas tikka masala is chunkier thanks to the larger pieces of meat used in its preparation.
Ultimately, whether you prefer one dish over another will come down to personal preference, but either way, you can expect an incredibly flavorful meal!
Does butter chicken come with rice?
Yes, butter chicken is traditionally served with rice, often basmati or jeera (cumin seed) rice.
This savory Indian dish is made with a creamy tomato-based sauce that combines the flavors of butter, garlic and ginger.
The chicken is simmered in this flavorful sauce and served over fragrant rice.
Butter chicken is one of many popular Indian dishes that are enjoyed around the world, and its fusion of aromatic spices makes it a perfect accompaniment to any meal.
What veggies are served with butter chicken?
Butter chicken is often served with a side of vegetables such as cooked onions, bell peppers, peas, carrots, and mushrooms.
These vegetables are cooked in a buttery sauce to complement the creamy texture of the butter chicken.
The result is a delicious dish that is not only flavorful but also packed with nutrients from the vegetables.
Additionally, the added onions and garlic contribute beneficial antioxidants to this dish.
What dessert goes with butter chicken?
Butter chicken is a popular Indian dish that pairs well with a variety of delicious desserts.
A traditional option for dessert is gulab jamun, deep-fried milk-solid dough balls in a sugary syrup.
It’s not uncommon to finish off the meal with homemade kheer, a creamy rice pudding cooked in milk and topped with cardamom and almonds.
Another popular pick is mango lassi, a yogurt-based drink blended with fresh mangoes and cinnamon.
For something light and refreshing, try mixing up an Indian spiced fruit salad with apples, oranges and pomegranate seeds.
