You open the menu, you see both, and you hesitate. Butter chicken or chicken tikka masala? They look alike on the plate, both come in an orange-red sauce, and both are built on grilled chicken. Yet they taste different, they come from different places, and one will probably suit your mood tonight better than the other.
If you are looking for butter chicken in Amsterdam or simply trying to choose between the two classics, this guide explains what sets them apart: the history, the sauce, the spice and the texture. We also cover what to pair with each when you eat at Shah Jahan in the Jordaan, or order in.
Short answer: choose butter chicken for something mild, smooth and gently sweet. Choose chicken tikka masala if you want a little more spice, a touch of tang and a sauce with more body.
What is butter chicken?
Butter chicken, known in Hindi as murgh makhani, is chicken cooked in a spiced sauce of tomato and butter. “Makhani” comes from makhan, the word for butter, and that tells you where the dish puts its weight: richness and smoothness rather than heat.
Where butter chicken came from
Butter chicken is a Delhi story. It is linked to the Moti Mahal restaurant in Daryaganj, Old Delhi, which made it famous in the 1950s. The restaurant was opened after the 1947 Partition by Kundan Lal Gujral, Kundan Lal Jaggi and Thakur Dass, who had come to Delhi from Peshawar, according to The National.
The two families still disagree about which of the two Kundan Lals actually invented it. Food Republic explains that both sides agree it was first served at Moti Mahal in Delhi, but not on exactly when or by whom. What nobody disputes is that butter chicken grew out of the tandoor kitchen of Punjabi cooks, and that it began as a way to use tandoori chicken in a rich, buttery tomato gravy.
How butter chicken tastes
- Mild, with warmth from spice rather than sharp heat
- Smooth and velvety sauce
- Buttery and creamy, with gentle sweetness
- Often finished with dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi), which give a light, savoury aroma
What is chicken tikka masala?
Chicken tikka masala has two parts. First comes the tikka: boneless chicken pieces marinated in yoghurt and spices, then roasted. Then comes the masala: a creamy, spiced sauce the grilled chicken is simmered in. Wikipedia lists chicken, yoghurt, tomato and onion as its main ingredients, and that onion base is one of the clearest differences from butter chicken.
Where chicken tikka masala came from
Chicken tikka itself is an old dish from the Indian subcontinent. The sauce is where the story gets lively. The best-known claim comes from Glasgow, where Ali Ahmed Aslam, owner of the Shish Mahal restaurant, said he created the dish in the 1970s after a customer found his chicken tikka too dry, as reported by NPR.
Not everyone accepts that account. The Moti Mahal family in Delhi has said it served chicken tikka masala decades earlier, and food writers quoted by NPR suggest several chefs probably arrived at the idea around the same time. Either way, the dish became hugely popular in Britain. In 2001, the then Foreign Secretary Robin Cook called it a true British national dish in a speech on British identity.
How chicken tikka masala tastes
- Medium spice, usually a step up from butter chicken
- Sauce with more body, often slightly chunky from cooked onions
- Tomato-forward, with a light tang
- Smoky notes from the grilled tikka
At Shah Jahan, “masala” is one of the curry styles on our menu. [CONFIRM WITH CLIENT: is chicken tikka masala listed by that exact name, and what is its current menu description and spice symbol?]
Butter chicken vs chicken tikka masala: side by side
Both dishes start with chicken from a hot oven, and both end in a tomato and cream sauce. The differences are in the sauce base, the spice and the finish.
| Butter chicken | Chicken tikka masala | |
| Also called | Murgh makhani | CTM, tikka masala |
| Origin | Delhi, India (Moti Mahal, 1950s) | Popularised in Britain; Glasgow claim from the 1970s is disputed |
| Sauce base | Tomato, butter, cream | Tomato, onion, cream |
| Texture | Smooth and silky | Thicker, sometimes slightly chunky |
| Spice level | Mild | Mild to medium |
| Flavour | Buttery, rich, gently sweet | Tangy, more boldly spiced, slightly smoky |
| Good for | First-timers, children, anyone avoiding heat | Guests who want a bit more spice without going hot |
Kitchens vary, so treat this as a general guide. The best way to know how our version tastes is to ask your server when you order.
Which should you order?
There is no wrong choice here, only a better fit for the evening. Use these quick pointers.
Order butter chicken if
- It is your first time eating Indian food, or you are introducing a friend to it
- You prefer mild dishes and want to taste spice without heat
- You love rich, creamy sauces to mop up with naan
- You are ordering for children or a mixed group with different spice tolerances
Order chicken tikka masala if
- Butter chicken feels a little too sweet or rich for you
- You enjoy a bit more spice and a tangier tomato sauce
- You like a sauce with some texture and a smoky edge from the grill
- You grew up in the UK and want the curry-house classic you know
Can’t decide? Order both
If you are two or more, the easiest answer is to share. Order one of each, add rice and bread, and taste them side by side. You will quickly find your favourite, and sharing is how Indian food is best enjoyed anyway.
Not eating chicken?
Our menu also lists paneer butter masala and paneer makhani, which bring a similar creamy tomato sauce to Indian cheese. They are a good choice for vegetarian guests who like the sound of butter chicken.
What to pair with each at Shah Jahan
A creamy curry is only half the meal. Here is how to build a full order around either dish from our menu.
| Course | With butter chicken | With chicken tikka masala |
| Starter | Onion bhajee or samosa for crunch before a soft, rich main | Pakora or an assorted starter platter to share |
| Bread | Naan is the classic partner for soaking up the smooth sauce | Paratha or roti holds up well against a thicker sauce |
| Rice | Pilau rice | Pilau rice |
| On the side | Salad or pickle for a sharp contrast to the richness | Raita to cool things down if the spice builds |
| Something extra | Tarka dal for a lighter second dish | A vegetable dish such as aloo gobhi or Bombay aloo |
If you want to taste more of the tandoor, start with one of our tandoori grills. Our guide from tandoor to table explains how the clay oven shapes North Indian cooking. For a bigger table, our set menus, including the Mumtaz and Shahjahan menus, take the guesswork out of ordering.
Eating at home instead?
Both dishes travel well, which makes them favourites for Indian takeaway in Amsterdam. Order through our online ordering page, and read our tips on ordering restaurant-quality curry for delivery. [CONFIRM WITH CLIENT: current delivery area]
Frequently asked questions
Is butter chicken the same as chicken tikka masala?
No. Both use grilled chicken in a creamy tomato sauce, but butter chicken is built on butter and tomato and tastes milder and smoother. Chicken tikka masala usually adds onion, has a thicker sauce and carries more spice and tang.
Which is spicier, butter chicken or chicken tikka masala?
Chicken tikka masala is usually the spicier of the two, though neither is a hot curry in most restaurants. If you want real heat, look at dishes such as madras or vindaloo on our menu instead.
Which is better for someone new to Indian food?
Butter chicken is the gentlest starting point. Its mild, creamy sauce is easy to enjoy even if you rarely eat spicy food.
Is chicken tikka masala Indian or British?
Both, in a way. Chicken tikka comes from the Indian subcontinent, while the saucy dish as most people know it was popularised in Britain. Its exact origin is still debated.
Where can I get butter chicken in Amsterdam?
You can enjoy butter chicken at Shah Jahan, Eerste Anjeliersdwarsstraat 18 in the Jordaan, or order it for takeaway through our website. For a wider look around the city, see our guide to butter chicken in Amsterdam.
Do these dishes contain nuts or dairy?
Recipes vary between kitchens, and our menu description for butter chicken mentions almonds. If you have an allergy or dietary need, please tell our team before you order so we can advise you on the dish.
Butter chicken or tikka masala: the verdict
If you want comfort, go for butter chicken. If you want a little more fire and tang, go for chicken tikka masala. And if you still cannot choose, bring a friend and order both.
Shah Jahan is a family-run Indian restaurant in Amsterdam that has been cooking for the neighbourhood for over 20 years, with family recipes, traditional spices and fresh ingredients. Browse the full menu, order online, or contact us to plan your visit. You can also see what is coming out of the kitchen on Instagram at @restaurantshahjahan.