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Give me some Butter, cream, chicken, and a few spices, and I will make a delicious, creamy, mouthwatering butter chicken for you. Technically, it is the easiest, yet the most elegant, restaurant-style recipe. But of course! Each main dish needs a complementary side dish too. The question is, what to serve with butter chicken? This list of side includes naan, Jeera aloo, grilled vegetables, aloo gobhi, and a lot more. Read on to find out more.
Breads
Chapati or Paratha (Indian Flatbreads): A classic Indian flatbread that definitely makes butter chicken even more enjoyable. The Chapati is a soft whole-wheat bread, and perfect for scooping up chicken sauce, while the Paratha is a layered bread often pan-fried with oil, butter or ghee.
Naan: One of the most popular flatbreads, usually served with gravy items. Available in a lot of varieties, from simple naan to paneer naan, roghni naan, etc., it is usually made in tandoor (a large vase-shaped oven), but you can make it on a stovetop in a skillet.
Potato Sides
Jeera Aloo (Cumin-Spiced Potatoes): My favorite dish in which the cumin seeds are toasted, and mixed with potatoes, turmeric, and chili for a warm, earthy flavor that blends perfectly with butter chicken.
Masala Mashed Potatoes: These are always a big hit whenever I make them for my family. Featuring the goodness of a regular mashed potato and a flavourful kick from spicy chilli powder, these masala mashed potatoes combine wonderfully with butter chicken.
Aloo Gobi (Potato and Cauliflower Curry): A classic Indian side that combines tender potatoes and cauliflower with a blend of Indian spices. It’s comforting, easy to make, and budget-friendly side you can make.
Vegetable Sides
Aloo Palak (Spinach and Potato Curry): This dish mixes spinach and potatoes in a flavorful curry that’s both hearty and nutritious. The tender potatoes soak up the spiced spinach sauce, making each bite a delight. This curry adds a touch of green to your meal, balancing out the rich butter chicken.
Tandoori Grilled Vegetables: If you want to bring a smoky and spicy kick to your creamy butter chicken, these grilled veggies like bell peppers, onions, and zucchini are the best option. The bold flavors and crisp edges of these veggies pair perfectly with the creamy butter chicken.
Masala Roasted Vegetables: My favorite roasted vegetabled marinated in the Indian spices to give a little bit roasted and bold spicy flavor to any of your meal. Toss veggies in a mix of Indian spices (I like to add garam masala and cumin), and roast them until tender.
Roasted Green Beans: Roasted green beans are probably the most favorite side of vegans. Roast them with garlic and then drizzle a few drops of lemon for a tangy flavor that greatly complement the buttery chicken. The best part is that you can prepare them under 20 minutes.
Gajar Matar (Carrot and Pea Curry): Once of the simplest winter staple in Northern India and Punjab (Pakistan), this carrot and pea curry adds a mild sweetness that complements the savory butter chicken. This light side is best to add veggies to your protein rich meals without overpowering the flavor.
Baingan Bharta (Smoked Eggplant Mash): An Indian vegetarian side that consists of grilled and mashed eggplants mixed with Indian spices to give a spicy kick to your meal. Roast eggplants over an open flame until charred, and then mash with onions, tomatoes and herbs for a burst of flavor.
Paneer Stuffed Mushrooms: An easiest snack idea in which portobello mushrooms are stuffed with paneer (Indian cheese), and then baked until the mushrooms turn golden brown and the paneer melts in them. To bring a cheesy and fun styling to your creamy chicken, this side is a perfect idea.
Shimla Mirch Besan (Bell Peppers with Gram Flour): A simple gluten-free and guilt free side that never disappoints. Bell peppers are coated in a spiced gram flour, and then fried to give a crunch and spicy flavor that always stays at the top of side options for chicken in an Indian twist.
Bharwa Zucchini (Spiced Stuffed Zucchini): If you’ve heard of the Zucchini boats, these bharwa Zucchini are the similar onces with an Indian style stuffing. The stuffing includes, onions, paneer, and spices that give a burst of taste that complements the creamy butter chicken.
Salads
Mixed Green Salad: This green salad consists of lettuce, spinach and other greens, tossed with a creamy yogurt and herbs and spices. The greens offer crispy and crunch while the yogurt give a tangy flavor perfectly blending with the savory butter chicken. A really simple salad you can’t resist if you want to serve something creamy with chicken.
Tomato Salad with Mint: This is one of the simplest and quickest salad that you can prepare for any occasion. This pairing really deserves for every party, no matter whatever main is being served. I love making this salad when tomatoes are in abundance in summer, and the addition of mint dressing gives a cool refreshing flavor.
Spinach Chickpea Salad: Want to serve something tender while enhancing protein content? This spinach chickpan salad deserves your attention. Tossed with light dressing and Indian spices, I’s sure this protein and fiber rich salad is going to be the best side that complements the main dish without stealing the spotlight.
Shirazi Salad: It is a simple and fresh salad that is delicious, quick, and easy to make. Sit on fresh veggies seasoned with lime juice, olive oil, and spices. It is fresh, sour, and famous as a side dish in many meals.
Tomato Avocado Cucumber Salad: A classic Greek salad with cucumbers, avocados, tomatoes, and red onions. The simple seasoning, fresh colors, and flavors make it one of the perfect side dishes next to roasted meat, butter chickem or fish. It is easy to make. Cut the veggies, season them with salt, pepper, and lime. That’s it!
Fruit Chaat: It’s time to welcome this mouthwatering, sweet, spicy and tangy fruit salad, most loved in subcontinent. The salad features amazing flavors with fresh and vibrant texture that can be a show-stopper vegetable side for any chicken or meat entrées.
Tomato Paneer Salad: If you want to serve a light cheese based salad without overpowering the butter chicken, this tomato paneer salad is the right option. The salad features ripe tomatoes, and soft paneer tossed with Indian herbs and spices. A great side for light lunch or dinner to satisfy your taste buds.
Grains and Pasta Sides
Basmati Rice or Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice): These fluffy Jeera rice can be your best side for any chicken based meal. The long, fluffy rice soak up the creamy chicken curry, if you plan to use butter chicken as a dressing for the rice. Make sure to use the best quality aged basmati rice for the magical aroma and flavor.
Garlic Butter Asparagus Pasta: This asparagus pasta is one of those side that add a fresh twist to your dinner table. Toss asparagus and orzo pasta in garlic and butter and cook for 20 minuts. That’s it. Whenever I need a quick side that works well with any main, I whip up this asparagus and pasta. Believe me, my kids love this vegetarian side so much.
Lemon Rice: Lemon rice recipe also known as chitrannna or nimmakaya pulihora in is a traditional South Indian recipe that adds a zesty kick to brighten up your meal. The basmati rice with fresh lemon juice and herbs gives a tangy punch. The tangy lemon excellently combines the savory flavors of creamy chicken.
Dips & Sauces
Mint Chutney or Tamarind Chutney: Tamarind chutney also known as mint cilantro chutney or podina chutney is an Indian dip usually served with snacks, samosa, pakoda (fritters), chaat, potato fries and more. I also serve it as a dressing with sandwitches and a side with chicken based meals. Made with pantry ingredients this gluten-free green vegetarian dip pairs well with anything and everything.
Dal Tadka (Lentil Soup): A perfect soup that is both served as main or a side for dinner. If prepared properly, I am sure everyone will ask for second. This comforting side is full of flavor in which yellow lentils are cooked until creamy and then tempered with herbs and spices to add a warm flavors. It’s like a cozy hug in a bowl that makes your dinner satisfying.
27 Authentic Sides to Serve With Butter Chicken
Ingredients
Breads
- Chapati or Paratha (Indian Flatbreads)
- Naan
Potato Sides
- Jeera Aloo (Cumin-Spiced Potatoes)
- Masala Mashed Potatoes
- Aloo Gobi (Potato and Cauliflower Curry)
Vegetable Sides
- Aloo Palak (Spinach and Potato Curry)
- Tandoori Grilled Vegetables
- Masala Roasted Vegetables
- Roasted Green Beans
- Gajar Matar (Carrot and Pea Curry)
- Baingan Bharta (Smoked Eggplant Mash)
- Paneer Stuffed Mushrooms
- Shimla Mirch Besan (Bell Peppers with Gram Flour)
- Bharwa Zucchini (Spiced Stuffed Zucchini)
Salads
- Mixed Green Salad
- Onion Tomato Salad with Mint
- Spinach Chickpea Salad
- Mint Chutney or Tamarind Chutney
- Shirazi Salad
- Tomato Cucumber Salad
- Fruit Chaat
- Tomato and Paneer Salad
Grains and Pasta Sides
- Basmati Rice or Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice)
- Garlic Butter Asparagus Pasta
- Lemon Rice
Dips & Sauces
- Dal Tadka (Lentil Soup)
- Mint Chutney or Tamarind Chutney
Instructions
- Choose any one of the best sides to serve with butter chicken
- Gather all the ingredients and make sure the inigredients are fresh.
- Start making the side.
- I hope you've made the butter chicker side dish in 15 minutes
