What to Serve with Butter Chicken? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Butter chicken has crowned itself the king of curries, no contest there. Rich, creamy, and absolutely dreamy, it’s the dish that has us all swooning. Now, we’ve all had those moments staring into the fridge, wondering, “What on earth goes well with this majestic creation?”

We’ve been there too. It’s like trying to choose an outfit for the Oscars. Stressful, right? Our mission today is to make that choice a piece of cake. Or better yet, a serving of the perfect side dish.

We’ve scoured our kitchens, dove deep into family cookbooks, and even had a few friendly debates to bring you the top 7 side dishes that will elevate your butter chicken night from good to legendary.

Get ready, you’re about to become the dinner hero you were always meant to be.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Butter Chicken?

Butter chicken is an ethnic Indian dish known as ‘murgh makhani’ in the traditional tongue.

The rich tomato-butter sauce is the main ingredient that makes up this dish.

With this dish, you will also have a gravy that you can use to dip your side dishes in; look forward to it.

Because butter chicken has many spices and condiments and is savory to the core, you will need some side dishes to cleanse your palate now and then.

You’re lucky to be here because the side dishes are no more than a scroll away.

What to Serve with Butter Chicken? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Bread, salads, or something high on carbs, which would you choose? The list below has a collection of ethnic and regular side dishes that go well with butter chicken.

1 – Naan Bread

A much-enjoyed flatbread in the Indian subcontinent, naan bread is a must-have item on this list.

It is baked in a tandoor, ie., a charcoal or firewood oven.

Naan bread is made of garlic, yogurt, and yeast, which are some of a naan’s main ingredients.

You’ll need some baking powder if you don’t have yeast.

The bread rises and has a wonderfully soft texture, and it is best eaten warm when the aroma makes it even more delicious.

Most naan recipes ask that you include butter in the finished bread, but you can skip this step since the chicken already contains a lot of butter.

2 – Raita

Often used as a sauce or condiment, raita has an Indian twist to the regular yogurt we eat.

Green onions, cilantro, and cucumbers make it to almost every raita recipe; they give a refreshing taste to it.

Raita is a must-have item in Indian meals that includes meat; it helps digestion and is also known to keep your weight in check.

Owing to the flavors of all the ingredients, raita has a tangy and fresh taste; you will quickly fall in love with it.

The reason most Indians love this side salad-like side is that the contrasting taste and textures of butter chicken and raita make up a great combo.

3 – Cucumber Avocado Salad

Another summer favorite is the cucumber and avocado salad.

As bright as its green color is, this salad does not disappoint when it comes to refreshing you on a hot summer day.

The juicy, munchy, and nutritious cucumbers, when combined with the health benefits of avocadoes, result in a satisfyingly irresistible salad.

You should try it to experience how it complements the savory butter chicken.

Other additions you can make to this salad are green onions, lime juice, and cilantro.

Combine all this, and you’ll have a fresh, green bowl of nutrition.

4 – Samosa

This Indian snack is a must-try item while having any Indian-inspired meal.

With each bite, you are in for a burst of flavors.

Samosas are part of the ideal Indian breakfast or lunch and have become a significant food item.

This interestingly shaped pastry is stuffed with a mix of cooked and seasoned potatoes and lentils and sometimes includes meat.

These pastries are either deep-fried or coated with oil and baked in the oven.

You can dip the samosa in the butter chicken gravy or eat it alongside for a beautiful mix of all the ethnic spices and flavors.

5 – Steamed Vegetables

Since butter chicken is quite heavy and rich in spices, try making some steamed vegetables as a side dish.

All you have to do is steam some of your favorite vegetables and steam them until they are tender to your preferences.

Steaming is among the healthiest ways to cook vegetables.

Steamed vegetables are so pleasant to eat, but what do we do for those that don’t like their veggies? Adding a simple lime dressing or melted butter is the trick to making steamed vegetables more exciting to eat.

Try it, and you’ll find that even the most stubborn kids love them.

6 – Seasoned Rice

Seasoned rice is a healthy and filling side dish to add to your butter chicken meal.

The Indians love to use Basmati rice for this recipe, so you should try it too.

Basmati rice is aromatic and fits perfectly with the chicken.

To make seasoned rice, you will need complementary ingredients such as cilantro, cumin, shredded coconut, ginger, and salt.

This dish is easy to make and has a simple yet comforting taste.

Moreover, using seasoned rice as a side dish will ensure that you get some carbs in your meal since butter chicken mainly consists of protein and fat.

7 – Garlic Bread

Another exciting way to eat bread would be to make some garlic made.

Of course, the bakeries have garlic bread, but why not try fresh-out-of-the-oven aromatic bread?

You will need some fresh herbs, garlic paste, butter, and olive oil.

This mixture is spread over the bread and then grilled in an oven.

Eat them once they have cooled down but still have a wonderful aroma.

The thing with garlic and butter is that they are an undeniable combo of flavors, which is why you cannot go wrong with garlic bread and butter chicken.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve come across the seven best side dishes for butter chicken, you need only pair them up according to your meal requirements.

If you’re having a large dinner, naan bread and seasoned rice would be good options.

However, something like samosas or garlic bread would work well while having butter chicken as a light meal or lunch.

Meanwhile, the raita and steamed vegetables would work with any meal.

Always remember to keep things balanced as you prepare your meals, and also, don’t forget to have fun throughout the process.