January 17, 2025
Who Invented Butter Chicken?
Around the time of India’s birth in the mid-1940s, a now-iconic restaurant in New Delhi called Moti Mahal introduced a dish that would forever change the culinary world: Murgh Makhani, or Butter Chicken. This dish featured tender tandoori chicken simmered in a rich, creamy tomato curry. Its mild yet flavourful profile captivated a wide audience, including diners unfamiliar with Indian cuisine, making it a perfect “gateway dish” that introduced the world to the vibrant flavours of India. Over the years, Butter Chicken became a symbol of Indian culinary excellence, loved across the globe.
Where did Chicken Tikka Masala Originate From?
Fast forward to the 1970s, when a Bangladeshi chef in Glasgow, Scotland, sought to recreate the famous Butter Chicken. Using leftover dry chicken and simmering it in tomato soup with spices, he created what we now know as Chicken Tikka Masala (CTM). This tangy, creamy dish quickly won over Britain, becoming so popular that in 2001, Chicken Tikka Masala was declared Britain’s “National Dish.” It remains one of the most celebrated Indian-inspired dishes worldwide.
Both Butter Chicken and Chicken Tikka Masala symbolize the adaptability and universal appeal of Indian cuisine. These dishes transcend borders, bringing people together through their shared love of rich, comforting flavours. Whether enjoyed in India, the UK, or elsewhere, they stand as a testament to how food can bridge cultures and connect us all.
Indian Cuisine – Chicken Tikka Masala
At Classic Indian, we honour the legacy of these iconic dishes with our own inspired creation, which we call “CTM” – Chicken Tikka Masala.
We start with chicken breast, marinated in tandoori spices and grilled to perfection. The tender chicken is then simmered in a creamy cashew-tomato sauce, enriched with mild spices and fresh herbs. Since we don’t use butter in our version, we often refer to it as “Better Chicken.”
This dish is not only a customer favourite but also a perfect choice for parties or a comforting dinner at home. It’s hearty, satisfying, and continues to innovate on the age-old traditions of Indian cuisine, blending the classic with the contemporary.
You can order “C-T-M” for your next take-out order, or as a platter for your next get-together.
Join us to experience a dish that carries the legacy of Butter Chicken and Chicken Tikka Masala forward, while adding our own unique twist. It’s a taste of tradition reimagined!
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