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Home » Mains Recipes

What to Serve with Butter Chicken

Apr 30, 2023 by Emily · Leave a Comment

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Delicious and flavorful butter chicken. This curry recipe is also known as murgh makhani, and originates from Indian cuisines.

If you are a lover of butter chicken like we are, you may have wondered what to serve with butter chicken.

In this article, we’ve come up with some of our favorite dishes to serve with butter chicken.

Collage of images of recipes to serve with butter chicken.
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  • 16 Delicious Sided Dishes for Butter Chicken
  • FAQ
  • More Mains Recipes
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Butter chicken is the ideal meal for any occasion thanks to the creamy and spicily spiced tomato-based sauce, tender chicken pieces, and fragrant spices.

But sometimes you may want to serve it with something different.

You don't want to serve anything that competes with the spices or overpowers the dish's flavors. In order to take your meal to the next level, we'll look at some of the top side dishes to serve with butter chicken in this article.

Rice is a traditional side dish for butter chicken. Particularly basmati rice is a great option because the dish's spices go well with its nutty flavor.

Rice can be prepared either plain or with additional flavorings like cumin, cinnamon, or cardamom.

Naan bread is another great choice. This soft, fluffy bread, a mainstay in Indian cooking, is ideal for soaking up the rich sauce.

Or what about serving your butter chicken with some steamed vegetables. Even a simple salad can add freshness to your meal.

You could even served butter chicken with cottage fries, onion rings, or bhajis.

Whatever your preference, there is a side dish that can take your meal to the next level, whether you like rice, Naan bread, vegetables, lentils, or chickpeas.

Don't forget to drink something cool to go with your meal, like Lassi or Masala Chai.

You can impress your guests or sate your own cravings for this traditional Indian dish by serving it with these delicious side dishes.

16 Delicious Sided Dishes for Butter Chicken

1. Naan Bread

Close up image of a stack of naan bread on parchment paper.

This soft and fluffy bread is ideal for soaking up sauces and stews. Simple to prepare at home, naan bread can be baked or cooked on the stovetop.

This delicious bread can be made with just a few basic ingredients and will make any meal taste better.

Naan bread is a flexible and delicious addition to any meal, whether you serve it with butter chicken, lentil curry, or a straightforward salad.

Naan Bread

2. Jeera Rice

Jeera rice on a black plate.

Made with cumin seeds and other spices, jeera rice is a fragrant and flavorful rice dish from India.

A variety of Indian stews and curries pair well with this straightforward and quick-to-prepare side dish.

The other spices give the dish depth and complexity, while the cumin seeds give it a nutty, earthy flavor.

Jeera rice is a fantastic way to give your food a little extra flavor and is ideal for those who want to try something different.

Jeera Rice

3. Roasted Sunchokes With Thyme

Close up image of sunchokes in a white bowl.

Roasted sunchokes with thyme are a tasty and nutritious side dish that is suitable for any occasion.

The root vegetable sunchokes, also referred to as Jerusalem artichokes, has a nutty and slightly sweet flavor.

They become crispy and flavorful when roasted with thyme and olive oil, making them a great addition to any meal.

These sunchokes will go over well whether you serve them with grilled fish or roasted chicken.

Roasted Sunchokes With Thyme

4. Roti

A stack of folded roti on a plate.

The widely used Indian flatbread known as roti is simple to prepare and is a great to serve with butter chicken.

With only a few ingredients, this recipe is ready in no time.

Roti is a tasty and adaptable bread that goes well with a wide range of foods, from spicy curries to simple salads.

Roti

5. Bagara Rice

Close up image of bagara rice in a white bowl.

Bagara rice is a fantastic way to give your food some extra flavor and is ideal for those who want to try something different.

Made with spices and herbs, bagara rice is a fragrant and flavorful rice dish from India.

This rice dish is perfect if you are wanting to serve your butter chicken with rice but want some extra flavors.

Bagara Rice

6. Sliced Potato Cottage Fries

Close up image of cottage fries in parchment paper in a bowl.

Cottage fries made from sliced potatoes are a tasty and simple side dish that are suitable for any occasion. Make a batch of these fries with just a few basic ingredients.

Sliced potatoes are used to make these fries, which are then seasoned with herbs and spices before being baked until crispy and golden brown.

Sliced Potato Cottage Fries

7. Grilled Tandoori Corn

Close up image of grilled corn.

Corn is always a great go to if you are just after something a bit lighter to serve with your butter chicken.

Grilled tandoori corn is a tasty and flavorful side dish made by grilling fresh corn until it is charred and tender after marinating it in a tandoori spice mixture.

The sweet corn is made smoky and spicy by the tandoori spices, making it a tasty and nutritious addition to any meal.

This dish will be a hit at your next barbecue whether you serve it with grilled meats or vegetables.

Grilled Tandoori Corn

8. Basmati Rice

Close up image of cooked basmati rice on a spoon. Two bowls of cooked basmati rice in the background.

Curry and rice. The classic combination.

Basmati rice is a fragrant and flavorful long grain rice. It has a delicate aroma and nutty flavor.

It complements a wide range of tastes, butter chicken included, making it a useful ingredient to keep in your pantry.

Basmati Rice

9. Zucchini And Onion Bhajis

Close up image of bhaji in a metal bowl.

A tasty and nutritious side dish with Indian influences, zucchini and onion bhajis are ideal for any occasion.

They are prepared by combining finely chopped onion and zucchini with a batter made of chickpea flour and seasonings, and deep-frying the mixture until golden brown.

The bhajis have a flavorful and spicy aroma and are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Zucchini and onion bhajis are a delicious and healthy way to enjoy Indian flavors, whether you serve them as an appetizer or a side dish.

Zucchini And Onion Bhajis

10. Buckwheat With Onions

Buckwheat salad on a grey plate with a spoon.

If you're looking for a gluten-free alternative to regular grains, buckwheat and onions are a delicious and straightforward side dish.

A nutrient-rich seed with a lot of protein and fiber, buckwheat is a great addition to any meal.

It transforms into a flavorful and fragrant dish when cooked with onions and spices that goes well with a variety of flavors.

Buckwheat and onions are a delicious and nutritious addition to any meal, whether you serve them with grilled meats or roasted vegetables.

Buckwheat With Onions

11. Air Fryer Roast Potatoes

A roast potato on a fork with a bowl of roast potatoes in the background.

Roast potatoes cooked in an air fryer are a delicious and healthier alternative to the traditional side dish.

They are made by air frying baby potatoes until crispy and golden brown after coating them with olive oil and a mixture of herbs and spices.

As a result, you have a crunchy and flavorful potato dish that is excellent for eating on its own as a snack or with roasted meats and grilled vegetables.

Air Fryer Roast Potatoes

12. Butter And Soy Eryngii Mushrooms

Fried mushrooms in a frying pan.

Butter and soy eryngii mushrooms are a delicious and simple side. King trumpet mushrooms, also known as eryngii, have a meaty texture.

They are sautéed in this recipe in butter and soy sauce, which gives the food a savory and umami flavor.

This side dish is a great vegetarian option that goes well when served with butter chicken.

Butter And Soy Eryngii Mushrooms

13. Onion Rings Without Milk

If you're searching for a dairy-free alternative to classic onion rings, this recipe is a great choice because it contains no milk.

They're crispy and delicious, which adds a great texture when accompanied by butter chicken.

Onion Rings Without Milk

14. Kachumber Salad

Kachumber salad is a popular side dish in Indian cuisine that is both energizing and healthy.

It is made with fresh herbs, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and vinaigrette made from salt, pepper, and lemon juice.

This salad goes well with grilled meats, spicy curries, and as a light and energizing side dish on its own.

Kachumber Salad

15. Thai Cucumber Salad With Sesame Ginger Dressing

Flavorful and simple to prepare, Thai cucumber salad with sesame ginger dressing is a perfect side dish.

It is made with bell peppers, red onion, and cucumbers that have been thinly sliced, and it is then dressed with a sweet and sour sesame dressing.

The flavor combination is light and bright, making it ideal for serving with butter chicken.

Thai Cucumber Salad With Sesame Ginger Dressing

16. Roasted Broccoli       

Roasted broccoli is a tasty, versatile side dish that is both healthy and simple to prepare.

Broccoli florets are roasted until crispy and caramelized in the oven with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

As a result, you have a tasty and wholesome side dish that goes great with butter chicken.

Roasted Broccoli

FAQ

What is the difference between butter chicken and butter chicken curry?

The two dishes, butter chicken and butter chicken curry, are essentially the same dish. The two terms are often used interchangeably.

Both dishes use marinated chicken that is cooked in a creamy, spice-flavored tomato sauce. Some might counter that butter chicken is thicker and richer than butter chicken curry, which has a slightly thinner consistency.

Additionally, extra ingredients like vegetables or lentils may be added to some butter chicken curry variations.

How do you eat butter chicken curry?

Butter chicken is typically eaten with bread such as Naan or Roti, or with rice. If desired, you can serve it with additional toppings such as yogurt or cilantro.

Collection of images of recipes to serve with butter chicken.

Tried one of these recipes? Let us know how it went in the comments below.

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Recipe

Collection of images of recipes to serve with butter chicken.

What to Serve with Butter Chicken

If you are a lover of butter chicken like we are, you may have wondered what you could serve with it for an even more delicious meal.
We've come up with a collection of some of our favorites to serve with butter chicken.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Proving Time 2 hrs
Total Time 2 hrs 40 mins
ESTIMATED COST : $2.70, or $0.23 a serve
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Indian
Servings 12 naan bread
Calories 237 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Naan Bread
  • Jeera Rice
  • Roasted Sunchokes With Thyme
  • Roti
  • Bagara Rice
  • Sliced Potato Cottage Fries
  • Grilled Tandoori Corn
  • Basmati Rice
  • Zucchini And Onion Bhajis
  • Buckwheat With Onions
  • Air Fryer Roast Potatoes
  • Butter And Soy Eryngii Mushrooms
  • Onion Rings Without Milk
  • Kachumber Salad
  • Thai Cucumber Salad With Sesame Ginger Dressing
  • Roasted Broccoli 

Instructions
 

  • Choose your favorite recipe from the list above..
  • Gather all the ingredients.
  • Follow the recipe directions and cook up something delicious to serve with butter chicken.

Notes

Nutrition, serving size and cook times are based on the first recipe on the recipe card.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 naanCalories: 237kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 6gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 416mgPotassium: 86mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1g
Nutrition Disclosure
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it went!

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