Butter chicken

Butter Chicken

Butter chicken comes from Delhi, India. It was invented "by chance" in the 1950s in neighbourhood of Old Delhi.

The story goes that to avoid wasting unsold tandoori chicken, the chefs decided to mix it into a simple tomato and butter gravy. The result was a rich and delicious dish that not only rehydrated the chicken but also created a sensation that quickly became a global culinary icon.

Traditionally, the chicken is grilled using a special oven called the “tandoor" a cylindrical clay oven which gives it the authentic smokey flavour. Butter chicken and Chicken tikka masala are often confused. However, they are two different recipes with different origin stories.

Our recipe in the spice kit discusses some tips on how to make the most authentic indian butter chicken.

Our Butter chicken kit

We provide all the spices and dry ingredients needed to prepare this dish in this kit, which is freshly hand-prepared to order.

You will need to source the necessary fresh ingredients from your local grocery store. We believe deeply in the importance of healthy, local food and therefore recommend that you buy these fresh products from a short-circuit store near you.

As some of these spices are not grown here in France, we import them directly from India via our carefully selected partners in respect of fair trade. The spices we import are all certified organic by the EU.

To learn more about where our spices come from, please feel free to send us an email. We will be happy to answer all your questions!

Your ready-to-cook kit contains the ingredients listed below, as well as a simple and practical recipe card, so that this dish will be the best you've ever tasted.

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  Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several tree species from the genus Cinnamomum. Cinnamon is used mainly as an aromatic condiment and flavouring additive in a wide variety of cuisines, sweet and savoury dishes, biscuits, breakfast cereals, snack foods, bagels, teas, hot chocolate and traditional foods. The aroma and flavour of cinnamon derive from its essential oil and principal component, cinnamaldehyde, as well as numerous other constituents, including eugenol.

  Cinnamon

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  Cloves are native to the Maluku Islands of Indonesia but have been a highly prized spice in India for centuries. Cloves have a strong, pungent, and sweet aroma. They are used whole in rice dishes and curries, and are also a key ingredient in many spice blends, including garam masala.

  Cloves

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  Fenugreek is a plant cultivated throughout India, and the leaves are dried to create this aromatic spice. These dried leaves have a slightly bitter and savory flavor. They are typically crushed between the palms and sprinkled into a dish toward the end of cooking to add a distinctive nutty, savory aroma, especially in curries and lentil dishes.

  Dried fenugreek leaves

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  The Indian bay leaf comes from a different tree than the European variety. It is native to the Himalayan region and has been a part of Indian cooking for a very long time. It imparts a mild, cinnamon-like aroma to dishes. It is most commonly used whole and added to the oil at the start of cooking to flavor rice, stews, and a variety of curries.

  Bay leaf

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  As the name suggests, these chillies are a specific variety cultivated in the Kashmir region of India. Prized for their vibrant red color and mild heat, they are used to add a beautiful red hue to dishes without making them excessively spicy. They are essential for dishes like rogan josh, tandoori chicken, and various curries.

  Kashmiri red chili powder

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  Cashew nuts were not originally native to India but were introduced by the Portuguese in the 16th century. They brought the cashew tree from its native region in Eastern Brazil to Goa, India, where it was initially used for afforestation and soil binding to prevent erosion. The tree thrived in India's coastal climate and soil, and its commercial importance was recognized later, leading to its widespread cultivation. India is now one of the world's largest producers, processors, and exporters of cashews. Cashews, known as "kaju," are a versatile and integral ingredient in Indian cuisine, valued for their creamy texture and rich flavor. They are used in both sweet and savory dishes, often to add richness, body, and a nutty taste.

  Cashew nuts

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  The lush, green mountains of Southern India are the native home of green cardamom. It is known as the "Queen of Spices." Cardamom has a sweet, floral, and highly aromatic flavor. Green pods are used whole in savory rice dishes like biryani and curries. The seeds are ground and used in desserts like kheer, and to flavor chai tea.

  Cardamom

The recipe requires the following ingredients, which are not included in your kit. We recommend purchasing these ingredients locally.

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  Oil

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  Yogurt

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  Cream

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  Butter

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  sugar

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  Lemon juice

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  Ginger is native to the rainforests of Maritime Southeast Asia and is one of the first spices to have been exported from Asia. It was introduced to India very early in its history and has been cultivated there for thousands of years, becoming an integral part of both its cuisine and traditional medicine, Ayurveda. Ginger is a foundational ingredient in Indian cooking. It is a key component of the aromatic paste known as ginger-garlic paste, which forms the flavor base for countless curries, dals, and marinades. It provides a pungent, spicy, and warm flavor. Fresh ginger is also grated or julienned and added to stir-fries, and is famously used to make a soothing and spicy chai (tea).

  Ginger

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  Garlic's origins are traced back to Central Asia, where it was first cultivated. It spread from there to the Middle East and then to South Asia, becoming a staple in Indian diets since ancient times. Garlic is another essential aromatic in Indian cooking. It is most often used alongside ginger and onion to create the rich, sautéed base (bhuna) for a wide array of dishes. It provides a savory, sharp, and slightly spicy flavor that is a must-have for meat dishes, vegetable curries, and dals. It is also a key ingredient in many Indian pickles and chutneys.

  Garlic

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  Chillies were brought to India by the Portuguese, but green chillies have since become a fundamental part of the cuisine. Used to provide fresh heat and a sharp flavor, green chillies are a primary source of spiciness in Indian cooking. They can be sliced and added directly to curries, sauces, or fried alongside other spices in a Tadka.

  Green chili

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  Boneless chicken

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  Salt

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  Onion

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  Tomatoes