Who made the first Butter Chicken?
Let's explore who really made the first butter chicken.
A Delicious Accident at Moti Mahal
The first butter chicken was created in the 1950s by Kundan Lal Gujral, founder of the legendary Moti Mahal restaurant in Delhi. Along with his partners Kundan Lal Jaggi and Thakur Dass, Gujral had fled from Peshawar during the Partition of India and settled in Delhi. At Moti Mahal, they popularized tandoori cooking—and butter chicken was born out of necessity.
How Butter Chicken Was Invented
According to popular accounts, the dish was invented as a creative way to use leftover tandoori chicken. To avoid waste, the chefs mixed the dry, leftover chicken with a rich sauce made from butter (makhan), tomatoes, cream, and aromatic spices. The result was a luscious, mildly spiced curry that was both comforting and indulgent.
Tandoori Chicken Gravy
What made butter chicken unique was the combination of two culinary techniques: tandoori-style roasted chicken and a Punjabi-style makhani (buttery) sauce.
The smoky flavor from the clay oven and the creamy tomato gravy created a dish that quickly became a hit with locals and foreign visitors alike.
Global Rise of Butter Chicken
From the streets of Delhi, butter chicken's fame spread across India and eventually around the world. It became a staple in Indian restaurants overseas and remains a favorite among people unfamiliar with Indian cuisine due to its mild heat and creamy texture.
Today, it's often confused with chicken tikka masala—but butter chicken is the original.
Legacy of Kundan Lal Gujral
Kundan Lal Gujral's invention didn't just lead to a single dish—it influenced an entire genre of North Indian cuisine. His legacy continues through the Moti Mahal chain, and butter chicken remains a timeless representation of Indian culinary innovation and adaptation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Sam Manekshaw To Amitabh Bachchan: How This School Shaped Legends
Schools are the foundation of life. They shape the minds, values, and futures of students. One such institution, established in 1869 as the Diocesan Boys School, has been shaping bright futures for over 156 years. Today, it is known as Sherwood College, a prestigious co-educational residential school for classes 3 to 12. Over the decades, Sherwood College has nurtured talent in almost every field, including the Armed Forces, Public Service, Cinema, Fine Arts, Business, Sports, Education, Publishing, and Spirituality. Its lush campus in Nainital, Uttarakhand, has been home to countless young minds who would later go on to make a mark in India and abroad. Notable Alumni of Sherwood College Armed Forces Field Marshal S.H.F.J. (Sam) Manekshaw Major Som Nath Sharma Lieutenant General Sir Martin Garrod (Retd.) KCB, OBE (U.K) General Vishwa Nath Sharma Major General Hari Badhwar Air Vice Marshal Michael McMahon (1959) Lieutenant General G.S. Rawat (Retd.) PVSM, AVSM Major General Stanley Burrett AVSM Lieutenant General S.N. "Tindi" Sharma (Retd.) Major General Mohan Singh PVSM, AVSM Brigadier S.P.S. Shrikent (Retd.) Captain Pratap Singh Captain Thakor G. Patel Air Marshal Yeshwant Rao Rane (1963) Lieutenant General Avtar Singh (1961) Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain, Indian Army Air Vice Marshal Sumit Mukherjee Lieutenant General I.J. Singh Major General Dilip Bhardwaj Public Service A.N. Kidwai, Former Governor of Bihar Justice Ravi Dhawan, Chief Justice of the Patna High Court Padma Shri Virendra Dayal, UN Diplomat assisting the Secretary Salman Haider IFS (Retd.), Former Foreign Secretary and High Commissioner to the UK F.C. Badhwar, OBE, Recipient of the Padma Vibhushan and the first Indian Chairman of the Indian Railway Board Inderjit Khanna, IAS, Chief Secretary of Rajasthan Mukesh Joshi, Chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes Cinema, Fine Arts, and Theatre Amitabh Bachchan Kabir Bedi Late Marcus Murch Dalip Tahil Alexander Souri Vivek Mushran Ram Kapoor Business, Industry, and Commerce Sir Kul Rattan Chadha George MacFarlaine Sports Raymond Whiteside, Olympic Athlete and Successful Businessman Angad Singh Bajwa, Shooter Education Professor Andrew Garrod, Head of Department of Education, Dartmouth College, USA Professor Gyanendra Pandey, Head of Department of Anthropology, Johns Hopkins University, USA Publishing Ravi Dayal, Renowned editor-publisher and former head of Oxford University Press Spirituality Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhoji Rao Sithole, Spiritual Guru What Amitabh Bachchan Said About Sherwood College "The school that influenced me most was Sherwood College in Nainital. If I had to talk about Sherwood I would write book on it! Those three years were by far the happiest times of my life. Or maybe one feels like now. The feelings weren't there when I was there - but now that I look back on it they were marvellous days. What I am now is largely because of Sherwood. It taught me to be independent, fearless, loyal and truthful. It taught me values and these, I think, have stayed with me through life," Amitabh Bachchan once said, as per Sherwood College's official website. Sherwood College has played a significant role in shaping the lives of many distinguished individuals across diverse fields. While the school's legacy is celebrated through its notable alumni like Sam Manekshaw and Amitabh Bachchan, it continues to evolve and adapt to modern educational needs.
First Post
2 hours ago
- First Post
On Cam: Indian Family's Havan At Texas Home Triggers Firefighters Rush Firstpost America
On Cam: Indian Family's Havan At Texas Home Triggers Firefighters Rush | Firstpost America | N18G An Indian woman living in Texas shared a video of firefighters lining up outside her home after her family conducted a sacred Hindu prayer ceremony, called a havan, during a housewarming ceremony. The video, posted on Instagram, shows a fire truck parked outside the garage as several fire officials observe the ritual. The footage shows the family performing the ritual as the Bedford Fire Department arrives to investigate the smoke-filled garage. Officials were seen speaking with the family and assessing the scene. It remains unclear whether any action was taken or if the family violated local fire safety regulations. The video, shared in a light-hearted context, quickly sparked mixed reactions. Many questioned the family for performing the puja at their home, while others defended their right to practice their religious customs. See More
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
Indian Woman In Canada Says ‘Dahi Costs Rs 200, Dhaniya Rs 90'. Internet Says ‘Salary Bhi 15x Zada Hai'
Last Updated: The video highlighted the steep cost of basic foods in Canada. "Guys, 1 potato here costs ₹ 78," said the woman. Indians often compare grocery prices abroad, noting how many everyday items cost significantly more than back home. Recently, an Indian woman living in Canada joined the debate, highlighting the steep prices of basic foods when converted to Indian rupees. In a video posted to Instagram, she walked viewers through a grocery store aisle, pointing out ingredients commonly used in Indian cooking. 'Ever felt broke after buying just bread and milk? Welcome to Canada. Comparing grocery prices in India vs Canada — prepare to be shocked!" she wrote. In the clip, the woman says, 'Guys, dhaniya ₹90 ka mil raha hai Canada mein, so let's come with me to grocery shopping in Canada. Ek gobhi jo India mein ₹20-25 ki mil jaati hai, yahan pe ₹237 ki hai. 1 ginger ₹177, 1 carrot ₹66, 1 mango ₹106, 1 apple ₹78, 1 potato ₹78, matlab kuch khaya nahi ja sakta, itna mehnga hai. 1 lb garlic ₹395, 4 litre milk ₹396, itni si dahi ₹200 ki mil rahi hai aur ek bread ka packet ₹230 ka milta hai Canada mein." Internet Reacts To High Prices Of Basic Food Items The video immediately gained popularity, with many viewers expressing their shock. A user wrote, 'In our country, Dhaniya is often the 'free gift' with your vegetables, sometimes vendors even insist on giving it to you even if you don't need it!" Others justified the reason behind the high cost of these items. A person wrote, 'A dollar you earn is also Rs 60." A person commented, 'Some products are expensive compared with India, but the quality of food is way better than in India." 'Salary bhi 15x jada hai Canada mai," someone commented. While many lament the high cost of living in Canada, others embrace their life abroad. A few weeks ago, an Indian woman living in Canada sparked discussion by asking if she was a 'bad person" for not wanting to return to India. Married to an Indian man, the couple are financially stable and had originally planned a temporary stay. However, with their Permanent Resident (PR) status nearing expiration, they are now debating whether to renew it or apply for citizenship. She added that over time, their plans have shifted, and they have grown to enjoy their life in Canada. About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at bring you stories on what's creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
