What to Serve with Butter Chicken? Tasty Side Ideas
Everyone loves a delicious plate of butter chicken, but do you know what side dishes pair perfectly with it? Let’s take a look!
What to Serve with Butter Chicken?
Butter chicken has a rich, creamy flavor, so it's best paired with lighter vegetables to balance out its richness. Here are some great options:
Golden Combinations
Roasted Pumpkin: Soft and sweet, it helps balance the richness of butter chicken. Together, they offer a wonderfully varied texture.
Broccoli: With its fresh crunch, broccoli lightens the heaviness of butter chicken and adds a lovely green touch to your plate.
Bell Peppers: Their crisp, sweet crunch complements the intense sauce of butter chicken, making the combination both colorful and flavorful.
Fat-Busting Heroes
Asparagus: The crispness of asparagus contrasts beautifully with the richness of butter chicken, providing a layered texture.
Onions: The sweetness of onions not only enhances the overall flavor but also helps cut through the heaviness.
Mushrooms: Their umami flavor pairs perfectly with the rich butter chicken, creating a satisfying mouthful with every bite.
What Rice to Serve with Butter Chicken?
Indian Basmati Rice: Each grain is fluffy and soft, making it the classic pairing for butter chicken. It absorbs the rich sauce perfectly, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor.
Basmati Scented Rice: Similar to Indian basmati, but with thinner, longer grains and a stronger aroma. It releases an enticing fragrance during cooking, and its mild flavor complements the intense sauce of butter chicken.
Brown Rice: For a healthier option, brown rice adds a chewy texture and a wealth of dietary fiber. It helps cut through the richness of butter chicken and contrasts nicely with the delicate sauce.
What Dessert Goes with Butter Chicken?
The delicate, creamy texture and rich sauce of butter chicken call for a sweet treat to balance the flavor. Here are some great dessert pairings:
Mango Yogurt Sauce: The sweetness of mango combined with creamy yogurt offers a refreshing, tangy contrast that not only balances the richness but adds a layer of flavor complexity.
Mango Milkshake: The sweet, refreshing taste of a mango milkshake contrasts with the richness of butter chicken, soothing the heaviness while being a simple yet delicious dessert.
Indian Carrot Pudding (Gajar Halwa): Made with carrots, milk, nuts, and spices, this sweet dish is a great way to balance the richness of butter chicken, offering a smooth texture and a sweet, fragrant flavor.
Caramel Pudding: With its sweet and smooth texture, caramel pudding complements the richness of butter chicken perfectly, creating a balanced sweet-and-salty flavor.
Almond Cookies (Baklava): With its crunchy texture and honeyed sweetness, this dessert pairs well with butter chicken, bringing a unique flavor profile to the meal.
What Salad to Serve with Butter Chicken?
Indian Mint Salad: The cool mint and crisp cucumber, paired with cilantro and lemon juice, offer a refreshing contrast to the richness of butter chicken.
Thai Papaya Salad: With its sweet papaya, spicy chili, fish sauce, and tomato, this salad provides a zesty kick that contrasts beautifully with the creamy butter chicken sauce.
Greek Yogurt Salad: This salad made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, tomato, and olives, with a hint of mint, is light and tangy, helping balance out the richness of butter chicken.
Avocado Tomato Salad: Creamy avocado and tangy tomato, dressed with olive oil and lemon juice, create a flavorful, healthy side dish that pairs wonderfully with butter chicken.
Butter Chicken vs Chicken Tikka
Different Flavors
Butter Chicken: Rich and smooth, butter chicken has a creamy, buttery flavor that is gentle, sweet, and savory. With each bite, the taste of butter and tender chicken lingers on your palate.
Chicken Curry: Chicken curry, on the other hand, is led by the bold, complex flavors of curry spices. With strong, spicy notes and layers of complexity, it offers a flavor-packed punch that excites the taste buds.
Different Cooking Methods
Butter Chicken: The chicken is first seared to lock in moisture, then simmered with butter, onions, tomatoes, and other ingredients. Finally, cream and seasonings are added to enhance flavor and thicken the sauce, allowing the chicken to fully absorb the rich flavors.
Chicken Curry: The chicken is marinated with spices to infuse flavor, then cooked with curry spices, and sometimes coconut milk or water. The focus is on frying the spices first to release their aromas, creating a deep, fragrant base for the dish.
Chicken Tikka Masala vs Butter Chicken: Which Is Better?
Both butter chicken and chicken curry have their own unique qualities, and neither is strictly better. It depends on your personal preferences.
Butter Chicken has a smoother, creamier texture. The richness of butter and cream results in a mild, delicate flavor that's perfect if you prefer a softer, milder dish with a creamy, buttery profile.
Chicken Curry has a more intense and spicy flavor, often using ingredients like turmeric, cumin, and pepper to create a robust, bold taste. If you enjoy bold, complex flavors with a bit of spice, chicken curry is a great choice.
In conclusion, if you enjoy smooth, creamy dishes with a rich, buttery flavor, butter chicken is the one for you. If you prefer dishes with complex, spicy layers of flavor, then chicken curry is your best bet.
