Ranked as the number one chicken dish in the world by TasteAtlas, an online guide dedicated to traditional food, Butter Chicken has secured its place as a beloved culinary delight. This recognition comes as part of the “Top 100 Chicken Dishes In The World” list. The dish, with its origins traced back to Delhi, is proudly associated with the Capital City, as noted by the guide.
Butter Chicken’s Serendipitous Journey: The Accidental Culinary Icon of Delhi
Described on the website as “probably the best known of all Indian dishes,” Butter Chicken, or murgh makhani, gained fame in the 1950s in Delhi. Kundan Lal Gujral, the founder of Moti Mahal restaurant, unintentionally created this iconic dish when his cooks combined leftover marinade juices with tomatoes and butter. The resulting concoction, used to stew tandoor-cooked chicken, became a beloved international delicacy, marking the accidental genesis of a culinary sensation.
Tikka Triumph: A Delectable Tale of Marinated Mastery and Tandoor Perfection
Securing the second spot on the list is Tikka, a dish featuring boneless meat, typically chicken, cut into smaller pieces and marinated in a blend of yogurt and traditional Indian spices. These include turmeric, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, chili, garlic, and ginger. Cooked over charcoal in a traditional tandoor, a cylindrical clay oven, the meat remains tender and juicy through repeated brushing with oil or butter. While Tikka is often served on sizzlers, plain varieties are also common, distinguishing it from the commonly misconstrued tandoori chicken, which is baked and served with the meat left on the bone.
