A Gastronomical guide to the Best Butter Chicken in Houston
Introduction:
The largest city and most populous city in Texas, Houston is the cultural and economical heart of the state some may say, with a dynamic mix of talent, imagination, and first-class services, making it one of the most desirable places to live in. Famous for the Johnson Space centre which is the heart of Nasa’s space flight control, this city also has a wonderfully colourful culinary backstory.
No, I’m not talking about the brisket or the BBQ, I’m talking about the authentic and fine Indian food this brilliant city has to offer. Let’s explore and dive into the many flavours and attractions this city has to offer in our bid to find the best butter chicken in Houston.
1. Aga’s Restaurant & Catering
Location: 11842 Wilcrest Dr, Houston, TX 77031-1920
Website: https://www.agasrestaurant.com/menu
About the restaurant: 20 years of experience in the industry serving some of the best Indian, Pakistani, and frontier food. They specialise in outdoor catering, go-to for many of the expat families in the city. Known for their authentic food from the sub-continent made with heirloom recipes passed down multiple generations.
Agas‘s Butter Chicken: Chicken Makhani is a no-frills traditional recipe prepared by their chef who is a native of North India himself, tender chicken on the bone is cooked to perfection in the clay oven before being slathered in a satin silk smooth tomato cream and butter gravy.
Cost: At $12.99 this makes it the most affordable and homely butter chicken on our list, the subtle hints of fenugreek and butter create a medley of flavours to die for, don’t believe me pair it with naan and eat your words. Definitely one of the best butter chicken in Houston.
2. Pondicheri Cafe
Location: 2800 Kirby, Ste.B132 West Ave Complex, Houston, TX 77098
Website: https://www.pondicheri.com/
About the restaurant: Named after the fabled french colony is the southeastern coast of India, this restaurant is set in an Industrial-chic spot, perfect for Indian combo plates. The chef specialises in creating gastronomical treats using humble traditional recipes, also look out for their seafood specialities.
Pondicheri‘s Butter Chicken: Classic homestyle butter chicken braised in a creamy fenugreek, tomato & garam masala sauce, spicier than most of the dishes in our list but earns its spot as one of the best butter chicken in Huston thanks to its unique blend of spices. Making it one of the best butter chicken in Houston.
Cost: $17 is a steal for a portion that can fill two hungry bellies and still leave you craving for it on your next visit. From the streets of Delhi to the curry houses of London and finally landing in Houston the gastronomical journey sure leaves behind its legacy on the dish.
3. Khyber Restaurant
Location: 2510 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77098-3209
Website: https://www.khyberhouston.com/
About the restaurant: Northern Indian & Pakistani food served in a casual mainstay, famous for the lunch buffet, Perfect for quick weekday meals or that comfortable takeaway for that lazy Sunday night dinner. Can be described as the local curry house.
Khyber‘s Butter Chicken: Grilled chicken breast, is marinated with a medley of spices and then pan braised in a sauce made with onions, tomatoes, and butter. Served with Basmati Pulao, Cucumber Salad, & Naan, cooked to your preference of spice tolerance, a favourite with the regulars earring a spot on the list of best butter chicken in Houston.
Cost: $18 for the combo of rice, bread, salad, and curry is a win in my book and I would highly recommend that if you’re craving a home meal on a budget this is the place to go to.
4. Surya India
Location: 700 Durham Dr, Houston, TX 77007
Website: https://www.suryahouston.com/
About the restaurant: Warm, casual eatery with a homely vibe, offering upscale North Indian delicacies along with an exhaustive collection of fine wines and vibrant cocktails, sure to make your dining experience worth it.
Surya‘s Butter Chicken: Chicken tikka – boneless chunks of chicken marinated in a house special blend of spices, cooked in a clay oven giving it that signature smokey flavour. Top that with a mild tomato butter sauce with piquant notes of fenugreek leaves and sweet saffron. Chef Joshi has been also known for his lavish banquet styled buffets.
Cost: $16 a portion for this masterpiece of a dish is a hard bargain and is worth every penny, best paired with their biryani this combo can leave you loosening your belt on the drive back home. Definitely one of the best butter chicken in Houston.
5. Musaafer
Location: 5115 Westheimer Rd Suite C-3500, Houston, TX 77056-5528
Website: https://www.musaaferhouston.com/
About the restaurant: Musafeer is a sophisticated eatery located in an eclectic space exhibiting high-concept fine Indian dining paired with exquisite wine. Known for its opulent interiors and excellent service the restaurant has consistently set the standard amongst Indian eateries and is fast gathering accolades of high regard.
Musaafer‘s Butter Chicken: The Butter chicken experience as its fondly called is a slow-cooked masterpiece of a recipe that has been perfected over years of delicate fine-tuning and trials. Sure to blow your tastebuds away.
Cost: Setting you back $32, is a fine sum for an experience unlike any other, making it one of the best butter chicken in Houston, showcasing the best of both Indian and Western culinary expertise.
6. Nirvana Indian Restaurant
Location: 14543 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77079-5428
Website: https://nirvanahouston.net/page/our-menue.8
About the restaurant: The perfect destination for an Indian lunch buffet. The restaurant also offers table service at dinner, plus a no-corkage-fee BYOB policy, making a go-to spot for those large get-togethers or team outings. The restaurant also offers an outdoor patio seating area, great to catch some rays and laze away indulging yourself in some mouth-watering food.
‘s Butter Chicken: The murgh makhani starts off with tandoori chicken tikka cooked to perfection in their in house clay oven before being immersed in a spiced creamy butter sauce made from sweet tomatoes with hints of tart fenugreek leaves and creamy nutty texture from a puree of almonds and cashews.
Cost: $19.00 a serving for this silky delicious gravy makes it easy on the pocket and on the belly, perfect to share with a friend.
7. Verandah Restaurant
Location: 3300 Kirby Dr Ste 7A, Houston, TX 77098-3252
Website: https://www.verandahrestaurant.com/menu
About the restaurant: An upscale, posh & intimate dining destination in the heart of Houston, the go-to place for modern & traditional Indian cuisine, the restaurant also offers a tasting menu. Located in a relaxed space with a minimalist theme and architecture complimenting a vibrant collection of artwork.
Verandah‘s Butter Chicken: The restaurant’s signature recipe calls for pulled tandoori roasted chicken with strong hints of smokey aroma complimented with a satin-smooth silky gravy made from slow-cooked tomatoes, blended with a rich puree of almonds and cashews. To top it all off Kashmiri saffron gives it a divine saffron colour.
Cost: At $26 a serving its an expensive affair, but when you taste the attention to detail and the high-quality ingredients used to prepare the dish, going hand in hand with immaculate service makes it definitely one of the best butter chicken in Houston.
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