Butter Chicken: What It Is, How Mild It Is and How to Order It

Some curries grab you with heat. Others win you over with comfort. Butter chicken is the second kind. A creamy, tomato-based curry with a rich, buttery sauce and a generally mild spice level. It is the dish that wins over people who think they do not like Indian food. The one parents order for children. The one that turns a cold Tuesday into something worth looking forward to.

This guide covers everything you need to know. What butter chicken is. What it tastes like. How mild or spicy it really is. How it compares to other popular curries. And how to order it from a UK Indian takeaway with the right rice, naan and sides. 

What Is Butter Chicken?

Butter chicken, also known as murgh makhani, is a North Indian curry made with chicken served in a smooth tomato, butter and cream-based sauce. It originated in Delhi in the 1940s. A restaurant called Moti Mahal created it as a way to use leftover tandoori chicken. They simmered it in a tomato and butter sauce. The result became one of the most popular Indian dishes in the world.

Restaurant-style butter chicken is different from a homemade curry recipe. The restaurant version uses more butter and cream. The sauce is smoother. The chicken is often tandoori-cooked first, giving it a smoky char before it goes into the sauce. The homemade version is often lighter and less rich.

What Ingredients Are Used in Butter Chicken?

Chicken, tomatoes, butter and cream are the base. The chicken is usually marinated in a yoghurt-based marinade with garlic, ginger, garam masala, cumin, coriander and other aromatic spices. Optional ingredients include kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) for a distinctive earthy aroma. Some recipes use cashew nuts blended into the sauce for extra richness and thickness.

The spice blend is aromatic rather than hot. Garam masala provides warmth. Cumin and coriander add earthiness. Turmeric gives colour. The result is a sauce that tastes of butter, tomato and gentle spice, not of chilli heat.

What Does Butter Chicken Taste Like?

Creamy, Buttery and Slightly Sweet Flavours

The first thing you taste is richness. Butter and cream give the sauce a velvety texture. The tomatoes add acidity. The chicken adds savoury depth. And then there is a subtle sweetness. Not sugary sweetness. More like the natural sweetness of slow-cooked tomatoes and cream together. The sweetness varies by restaurant. Some make it noticeably sweeter. Others keep it more savoury.

How Spices Add Flavour Without Too Much Heat

The spices in butter chicken are aromatic, not hot. Garam masala, cumin, coriander and fenugreek add warmth and depth. They flavour the sauce without setting your mouth on fire. The texture is smooth and luxurious. The chicken is tender, often marinated overnight. If you want to understand how it differs from other curries, our guide to lamb korma vs rogan josh compares two other popular dishes.

Is Butter Chicken Mild or Spicy?

This is the most common question. The answer is: butter chicken is generally mild. It is one of the mildest curries on most UK Indian restaurant menus. But spice levels differ between restaurants.

How Hot Is Butter Chicken Usually?

On a typical spice scale of 1 to 5, butter chicken sits at 1 or sometimes 2. It has flavourful seasoning but very little chilli heat. The warmth comes from aromatic spices like garam masala, not from chilli. If you are sensitive to spice, butter chicken is one of the safest choices on an Indian menu.

Can You Order Butter Chicken Extra Mild?

Yes. Ask the restaurant for less chilli or a milder preparation. Most restaurants will accommodate this. Ask about their standard spice level before ordering. Some pre-prepared sauces offer limited customisation, but most restaurants cook butter chicken fresh and can adjust the heat.

Can Butter Chicken Be Made Spicier?

Yes. You can request additional chilli where available. Some restaurants will add fresh green chillies or a dash of chilli sauce. Be aware that extra heat can affect the original flavour balance. The creamy, slightly sweet sauce is designed to be mild. Adding too much chilli can overwhelm it. If you want a spicy curry, a madras or jalfrezi might be a better choice.

Butter Chicken vs Other Popular Indian Curries

Here is how butter chicken compares to three other popular UK curries.

Butter Chicken vs Chicken Tikka Masala

Both are creamy tomato-based curries. Both are mild. The main difference is smokiness. Chicken tikka masala uses tandoori-cooked chicken, which gives it a smoky char flavour. Butter chicken is smoother and more buttery. Chicken tikka masala tends to be slightly less sweet. Takeaway recipes vary, so the distinction is not always clear-cut. We have a detailed write-up on Chicken Tikka Masala vs Butter Chicken; you can learn more about the main differences there.

Butter Chicken vs Chicken Korma

Both are mild and creamy. Korma is usually even milder than butter chicken. Korma uses coconut and cream, giving it a sweeter, more coconut-forward flavour. Butter chicken uses butter and tomato, giving it a richer, more savoury profile. If you want maximum creaminess with minimal heat, korma is the choice. If you want a bit more depth and tomato flavour, butter chicken wins.

Butter Chicken vs Chicken Curry

Chicken curry is a general category, not one specific dish. It can mean anything from a home-style dry curry to a restaurant-style wet curry. Butter chicken is a specific dish with a defined sauce. If a menu just says “chicken curry” without more detail, it is usually a spicier, less creamy sauce than butter chicken. For more on curry styles, our Balti curry takeaway guide covers another regional style.

How to Order Butter Chicken from a UK Indian Takeaway

Check the Menu Description and Spice Level

Look for butter chicken or murgh makhani on the menu. Check the restaurant’s chilli rating if they have one. Read the sauce description. Ask about dairy, nuts and other allergens if relevant. Butter chicken contains butter and cream. Some versions contain cashew nuts. If you have allergies, confirm the ingredients with the restaurant.

Choose the Right Portion Size

Individual curry portions are usually enough for one person with rice and naan. If you are sharing, order a larger portion or two dishes. Check whether rice and bread are included or sold separately. Most UK takeaways sell curry, rice and naan separately.

What to Order with Butter Chicken

Pilau rice is the classic pairing. The spiced rice complements the creamy sauce. Basmati or plain boiled rice works if you want something neutral. For bread, plain naan or garlic naan are the most popular. Peshwari naan adds sweetness that pairs well with the buttery sauce. Roti is a lighter option.

For side dishes, saag aloo, tarka dal or mixed vegetables add variety and balance. The rich sauce of butter chicken pairs well with something lighter on the side. A cucumber raita cools the palate.

Tips for Ordering Butter Chicken for the First Time

Choose the standard version. Confirm the heat level. If you are unsure, ask the restaurant whether their butter chicken is mild. Start with a simple rice-and-naan combination. You can always add sides next time. Find local Indian restaurants on the ChefOnline Indian takeaways page or search by area on the ChefOnline areas page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is butter chicken spicy?

No, butter chicken is generally mild. It uses aromatic spices like garam masala and cumin for flavour, not chilli for heat. It is one of the mildest curries on most UK Indian menus. Spice levels vary between restaurants, so always check if you are sensitive to heat.

What is the difference between butter chicken and murgh makhani?

They are the same dish. Murgh makhani is the original Hindi name. Butter chicken is the English name used on most UK menus. The ingredients and preparation are the same.

Is butter chicken suitable for children?

Yes. Its mild spice level and creamy, slightly sweet flavour make it one of the most child-friendly curries on most menus. Always check with the restaurant about their standard heat level before ordering for children.

What goes best with butter chicken?

Pilau rice and garlic naan are the classic pairing. The rice absorbs the sauce. The naan is used for mopping up what is left. For sides, tarka dal or saag aloo add variety. A cucumber raita adds a cooling contrast.

Where can I order butter chicken takeaway near me?

Search ChefOnline by postcode or area to find local Indian restaurants and takeaways that serve butter chicken. Browse menus, check reviews and place your order online for delivery or collection.

Final Thoughts: Is Butter Chicken the Right Curry for You?

If you want a creamy, comforting curry with a rich tomato sauce and a generally mild spice level, butter chicken is the right choice. It is the dish that turns curry skeptics into curry lovers. The sauce is smooth. The chicken is tender. The flavour is buttery, slightly sweet and deeply satisfying.

Restaurant recipes and heat levels vary. Always check the menu description. Ask the restaurant if you are unsure. Choose your rice, naan and sides to balance the richness of the sauce.