Butter Chicken vs Makhni: Which Indian Classic is Right for You?

Regarding Indian cuisine, Butter Chicken and Makhni are two of the most popular dishes. Both dishes are creamy, flavorful, and delicious, but their differences make them unique.

Butter Chicken is a North Indian dish that originated in Delhi, while Makhni is a Punjabi dish known for its rich buttery texture. I’ve tried both dishes several times, and I’m excited to share my insights with you.

Criteria	Butter Chicken	Makhni
Ingredients	Boneless chicken, butter, tomato puree, cream, cumin, coriander, garam masala	Boneless chicken, butter, tomato puree, cream, cumin, coriander, garam masala, fenugreek leaves and seeds
Preparation	Marinated chicken grilled and simmered in tomato and cream-based sauce	Chicken cooked in similar way, but sauce made by blending tomatoes, onions, and cashews with spices and cream
Taste and Texture	Creamy, buttery texture with mild spicy flavor	Similar texture but tangy, slightly sweet flavor thanks to fenugreek
Nutritional Value	High in calories and fat, good source of protein and essential vitamins and minerals	High in calories and fat, good source of protein and essential vitamins and minerals
Serving Suggestions	Served with naan bread or rice, along with side of raita or salad	Served with naan bread or rice, along with side of raita or salad

Ingredients:

Butter Chicken is made with boneless chicken, butter, tomato puree, cream, and spices like cumin, coriander, and garam masala. Makhni, on the other hand, uses the same ingredients as Butter Chicken but with fenugreek leaves and dried fenugreek seeds. The fenugreek gives Makhni its distinct aroma and flavor.

FAQs:

Can I use chicken with bones for Butter Chicken or Makhni?

While boneless chicken is the traditional choice for both dishes, you can use bone-in chicken. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.

What can I use instead of fenugreek leaves and seeds?

If you can’t find fenugreek leaves and seeds, substitute with Kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) or skip it altogether. However, remember that the dish’s flavor will be slightly different without fenugreek.

Preparation:

To prepare Butter Chicken, marinate the chicken in yogurt and spices, grill it, and then simmer it in a tomato and cream-based sauce. For Makhni, the chicken is cooked similarly, but the sauce is made by blending tomatoes, onions, and cashews with spices and cream.

FAQs:
Can I make Butter Chicken or Makhni without a grill?

You can cook the chicken in a pan or oven instead of grilling it. However, grilling gives the chicken a smoky flavor that is hard to replicate in a pan or oven.

How long does it take to make Butter Chicken or Makhni?

The preparation time for both dishes is around 30 minutes, but the cooking time can vary depending on your chosen method. Plan for at least an hour to make either dish.

Taste and Texture:

Butter Chicken has a creamy, buttery texture with a mild spicy flavor. Makhni is similar in texture but has a more pronounced tangy and slightly sweet flavor, thanks to adding fenugreek.

FAQs:

How spicy are Butter Chicken and Makhni?

Both dishes are mildly spicy, but you can adjust the spice level to your liking by adding more or less chili powder or green chilies.

Are Butter Chicken and Makhni sweet dishes?

They are not sweet dishes, but Makhni has a slightly sweet flavor due to the addition of sugar or honey.

Nutritional Value:

Both Butter Chicken and Makhni are high in calories and fat due to the use of butter and cream. However, they are also a good source of protein and contain several essential vitamins and minerals.

FAQs:

Can I make Butter Chicken or Makhni healthier?

Yes, you can make both dishes healthier by using low-fat cream or yogurt instead of regular cream, and by reducing the amount of butter used.

Serving Suggestions:

Butter Chicken and Makhni are typically served with naan bread or rice, along with a side of raita (yogurt dip) or salad.

FAQs:

What other dishes go well with Butter Chicken or Makhni?

You can serve Butter Chicken or Makhni with any Indian bread like roti or paratha, along with vegetable dishes like saag (spinach) or aloo gobi (potatoes and cauliflower).

Conclusion:

Butter Chicken and Makhni are both delicious dishes that are worth trying if you’re a fan of Indian cuisine. While they share some similarities, they also have some key differences that make them unique.

Butter Chicken is a milder dish with a creamy buttery texture, while Makhni has a tangy and slightly sweet flavor that comes from adding fenugreek. Both dishes are high in calories and fat, but you can make them healthier by using low-fat cream or yogurt and reducing the amount of butter used.

Ultimately, the choice between the two dishes comes down to personal preference. As for me, I love both dishes equally and can never decide which one to order!