3 min readDelhiNov 23, 2025 10:36 PM IST
First published on: Nov 20, 2025 at 03:30 PM IST
Butter chicken, a beloved dish from North India, has earned a spot in the top 5 most popular foods according to a survey by TasteAtlas, a well-known food and travel guide. This creamy, buttery dish is often enjoyed with a piping-hot naan. Tandoori chicken, another favourite Indian delicacy, has also left a mark on the international food landscape, ranking 14th among non-vegetarian dishes.
But given that butter chicken has a lot of saturated fat, how can someone fit it into a heart-friendly diet? Dr Amreen Sheikh, Chief Dietitian at KIMS Hospitals in Thane, explained, “The idea is not to altogether avoid butter chicken, but to enjoy it in a controlled manner.”
She added that a small, palm-sized serving, around half to three-fourths of a cup, generally is adequate. “Letting the dish be the flavour highlight rather than the main bulk of the meal makes a lot of difference. Pair it with whole-wheat roti or a modest serving of brown rice to keep your plate in balance. Many also find it helpful to fill half the plate with crunchy salad or lightly cooked vegetables, so that the meal stays satisfying without becoming a calorie load,” she continued.
Many restaurants now offer “healthier” butter chicken. Which recipe changes actually help without dulling the flavour?
The dietitian elaborated, “Simple swaps can really lighten the dish. Replacing heavy cream with hung curd reduces the saturated fat content. Lean cuts of chicken reduce extra calories. Avoid adding ketchup to the gravy.” She further suggested using fresh tomato puree when making butter chicken. Cutting back on added sugar keeps the dish from becoming too sweet and lets the spices’ true flavours stand out. “Ingredients like garlic, ginger, and turmeric remain intact, meaning the dish still carries the natural benefits these spices are known for.”
How does butter chicken’s nutrition compare to international dishes like chicken parmigiana or Thai green curry?
The dietitian said every comfort food is unique. “Butter chicken usually has fewer breaded fats compared to chicken parmigiana and relies heavily on spices that support digestion. Thai green curry can be higher in sodium because it uses fish sauce and curry pastes. Butter chicken sits comfortably in the middle, rich and flavourful, while still offering some spice-based benefits as long as the portion size remains sensible.”
Besides Butter Chicken, TasteAtlas ranked Türkiye’s Pilic Topkapi as the world’s best chicken dish, followed by Morocco’s Rfissa. Other top contenders included Korean fried chicken (South Korea, No. 4), Peruvian roast chicken (Peru, No. 5), Butter Chicken (India, No. 6), Karaage (Japan, No. 7), French roast chicken (France, No. 8), Dak Galbi (South Korea, No. 9), Chicken Karahi (Pakistan, No. 10) and the Philippines’ Inasal na Manok.
Butter chicken (Photo: Instagram/
yourfoodlab) 
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