Figure out what to serve with butter chicken, a popular Indian main dish, using this collection of the best sides for butter chicken. These recipes are perfect for the Indian food lover who wants to try to make some authentic side dishes at home.
Why Share?
I love Indian cuisine. The crispy crunch of fried onion bhaji, the sweet tang of tamarind chutney, and the fresh flavor created by so many spices are amazing.
As a home cook, I wanted to try making Indian food at home. So, this collection includes popular Indian restaurant favorites that make a great side dish generally, but also for butter chicken.
What Is Butter Chicken?
Butter chicken (also called Murgh Makhani and Chicken Makhani) is a classic Indian dish made with a rich butter and tomato sauce. As a tomato-based chicken curry, it’s similar to chicken tikka masala, but it is not spicy.
Common main ingredients in an Indian butter chicken recipe include chicken thighs (or chicken breasts), tomato paste, ginger garlic paste, spices like garam masala, yogurt, and heavy cream.
At a minimum, it’s served with garlic bread naan and rice. I’m including those as well as some other options in this collection of the best side dishes for butter chicken.
More Chicken Side Dish Collections:
Learn how to make the best sides for these other popular chicken main dishes:
- What to Serve with Chicken Marsala: Best Sides to Make a Meal
- 35 Best Side Dishes for Chicken Parmesan
- 40 Best BBQ Chicken Sides
- What To Serve With Chicken Pot Pie: 30 of the Best Sides Dishes
Below are easy-to-make and mouthwatering sides to make the next time you enjoy creamy butter chicken:
What To Serve With Butter Chicken
Figure out what to serve with butter chicken using this collection of the best sides for butter chicken. Includes a collection of vegetable, bread, sauce, and rice dishes to make your very own Indian feast.
Keema Samosa
Packed with bright and spicy flavors, this smoky samosa is the perfect side for one of the most popular curries. It has a seasoned ground meat filling for extra richness.
Whole Wheat Naan-No Yeast
Whole wheat naan bread with butter chicken is your go-to Indian meal when you want something quick and easy.
Garlic Naan (Indian Bread)
You need 6 ingredients to make this fluffy, sweet, and garlicky Indian bread. It’s easy to make even without a clay (tandoor oven). I love to use it to slop up the unique flavor of butter chicken sauce.
Cucumber Raita
Creamy cucumber raita is the real deal if you’re wondering what to serve with butter chicken. This easy recipe requires 8 basic ingredients like thick yogurt. I use this on everything because it adds a bright fresh taste to the entire meal.
Buttery Cauliflower Rice Pilaf
If you need easy and tasty low-carb sides for butter chicken, cauliflower rice pilaf is a perfect option. You need 5 ingredients for this one and the savory flavor is mild enough to go great with butter chicken's creamy sauce.
Zarda Pulao Rice
Make sweet, nutty rice to accompany your butter chicken. This classic Indian side is exceptionally tasty and easy to make.
Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice)
This recipe uses basmati rice and is one of the easiest side dishes for butter chicken. It comes together in under 30 minutes.
Palak Rice
Bursting with fresh herb and vegetable flavors, palak rice is a healthy, family-friendly side that takes 30 minutes from prep to plate.
Pepper Dal/ Karkala Dalithoy
The secret ingredients for pepper dal are ghee and pepper. This creamy and spicy Indian dish is a riot of bold flavors.
Jeera Aloo Recipe (Cumin Potatoes)
Make the most flavorful potato dish using ingredients like boiled potatoes, green chilies, olive oil, lime or lemon juice, herbs and spices. It will be ready in about 20 minutes.
Instant Pot Dal Makhan
Recreate the restaurant-style dal makhani using a few simple ingredients. I love that the author of this recipe shows you how to make it in a pressure cooker.
Easy Air Fryer Green Beans
Air fryer green beans—one of the easiest and quickest sides for butter chicken. You’ll need 5 ingredients and less than 15 minutes to get it done. This is a great idea if you just want something super simple to enjoy your butter chicken with.
Bhindi Masala
This dish is an Indian staple. It uses okra and a handful of classic Indian spices.
Crispy Onion Bhaji
Perfectly seasoned and fried until golden brown, onion bhaji will be ready in about 30 minutes. It’s a tasty gluten-free and vegan dish.
Palak Paneer / Spinach Paneer
Palak paneer is a popular Indian restaurant side dish that you can easily make at home. This creamy dish is mildly spiced.
Air Fryer Roasted Cauliflower
Whip up an easy, tasty cauliflower side in about 20 minutes. You’ll need only 5 ingredients to make this low-carb accompaniment for butter chicken. Since the spices are flexible, you can give it an Indian twist by using your favorite Indian spice blend. One of my personal favorites is Indian Five Spice.
Easy Indian Carrot Salad
Indian carrot salad is healthy, colorful and super delicous. Make this delectable dish in 10 minutes using a handful of ingredients.
Missi Roti
If you’re an Indian cuisine lover, you must be familiar with missi roti. This 30-minute dish has a special place on Indian menus.
Kaddu Ki Sabzi (Indian Style Pumpkin)
There are many ways to make a pumpkin dish, and this is the Indian style. It’s sweet, tangy and mildly hot.
Easy Curry Rice-Pantry Meal
Easy curry rice—your go-to option for a simple and flavour-packed butter chicken side dish. Everything comes together in about 30 minutes.
Kheer (Indian Rice Pudding)
Satisfy your sweet tooth with an Indian rice pudding—kheer. It uses less than 10 readily available ingredients.
Roti / Chapati / Phulka
Serve your butter chicken with this staple Indian bread for a complete meal. It’s easy to make and uses a handful of pantry ingredients.
Aloo Gobi Matar
Want to know what to serve with butter chicken? This cauliflower, potato and peas make a great combo that is packed with Indian flavors and comes together in 20 minutes.
Tamarind Chutney
Tamarind chutney is a classic Indian dish that perfectly blends sweet and sour flavors. It’s easy to make using 8 common ingredients. I personally enjoy it with any Indian takeout dish.
Healthy Indian Mango Lassi
Enjoy something sweet and creamy alongside your favorite butter chicken dish. Mango lassi is a perfect drink that takes as little as 10 minutes to make. You might be wondering why I included a drink, but, for me, this is part of making a delicious meal.
Crispy Air Fryer Bread Pakora
Use the air fryer to make a healthy version of the original fried bread pakora. These bread rolls with potato filling are life.
Kachumber Salad
No cooking is required to make kachumber salad. This classic Indian fresh-vegetable salad will be ready in less than 15 minutes.
Oven Baked Rice
If you don’t like boiling plain rice, try baking it. Baked rice is fluffy and tasty and requires 4 simple ingredients. While this recipe uses a type of long-grain rice, you can also use jasmine rice.
Easy Gulab Jamun
These Indian balls of sweetness will brighten the darkest of days. They are sweet, spongy and simply the best way to close out Indian meals.
FAQs
Naan bread and rice are both popular side dishes that pair well with Butter Chicken. Naan bread is great for soaking up the rich sauce, while rice helps to balance out the flavors.
Absolutely! A side of roasted or grilled vegetables, like eggplant, bell peppers, or zucchini, can help add some freshness to the meal and provide a healthy crunch.
A glass of chilled white wine, like a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, can be a great complement to the flavors of Butter Chicken. Alternatively, a refreshing mango lassi can help cool down any heat you add to the dish.
Yes! Roti and paratha are two other types of Indian bread that pair well with Butter Chicken. I’ve included a few recipes in this collection.
Yes! A light salad with fresh greens, like spinach or arugula, can help balance out the richness of the dish. You’ll also find options like cucumber salad included in the list.