Butter Chicken in Edmonton at Aashirwaad

Butter chicken (murgh makhani) was invented at Moti Mahal in Delhi in the 1950s as a way to use leftover tandoori chicken. Aashirwaad makes theirs from fresh chicken, not leftover. This changes the texture of the final dish in ways common to Alberta's best North Indian kitchens.

What Makes North Indian Butter Chicken Different from Generic Versions

Most local restaurants reach for pre-made curry pastes or bottled sauces. Quick. Predictable. But they all taste the same. Real North Indian cooking starts with the tomato. You char them until the pan smokes, drawing out caramel depth that bottled paste never gets. Each step builds on the last: spices in hot oil, then cream, then butter.

The difference isn't subtle. A scratch-made sauce has layers: charred sweetness of tomato first, warmth of the spices next, then the butter itself melts across your tongue. Pre-made versions flatten all of that into one industrial note. The same sauce in the same container ends up in a hundred restaurants. At Aashirwaad, the butter chicken tastes like someone spent time on it. Because they did.

Aashirwaad's Butter Chicken: The Dish Up Close

The chicken comes tender. Most places overcook it to be safe; it turns to rubber. Here, it stays soft, almost custardy where it meets the sauce. The pieces are generously sized, not pounded thin and fried to oblivion like cheaper versions.

The sauce costs effort. The tomatoes are roasted in the tandoor first, charring the skin to develop depth. Then they're blended into cream and yogurt, finished with butter and a touch of kasuri methi (dried fenugreek). That fenugreek is the tell. Most people can't name it, but they taste that something's different, something's right. It's $16.99 for a full-size portion. Pair it with a Garlic Naan for $3.00, and that combination is why locals come back most Fridays.

Butter Chicken vs Chicken Tikka Masala — Which to Order

They're cousins, not twins. Here's how to choose. Want smooth, creamy, mild? Butter chicken wins. Want spice, tangy yogurt notes, and tandoor char? Go for Chicken Tikka Masala. Both run $16.99.

Butter chicken is the gateway dish at Aashirwaad. First-timers order it because the name's familiar. Mill Woods regulars order it because they know. It's the most-reordered curry on the menu for a reason: it doesn't disappoint. The sauce coats the rice perfectly. A spoonful of butter chicken with a bite of garlic naan is how you know the restaurant gets it right.

Order Butter Chicken in Edmonton — Mill Woods Pickup and Delivery

Aashirwaad is located at 2809 Mill Woods Rd NW, serving Mill Woods Town Centre, Jackson Heights, and Southeast Edmonton across Alberta. We're open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. – 12 a.m.; closed Tuesday.

Order online at aashirwadsweetsandrestaurant.ca, or call (587) 524-3300. Delivery takes about 20 minutes to Mill Woods Town Centre neighborhoods. Pickup is instant if you swing by during service hours.

First-timers often pair butter chicken with a Chole Bhature to explore the full menu. Regulars stick with butter chicken, fresh naan breads, and rice dishes to soak it all up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is butter chicken called murgh makhani?

Murgh means chicken and makhani means butter in Hindi. The dish gets its name from the generous use of butter and cream in the sauce. At Aashirwaad, we finish our butter chicken with fresh cream and ghee, so the name fits perfectly.

What's the difference between butter chicken and tikka masala?

Butter chicken uses a rich, creamy tomato sauce with lots of butter and cream. Tikka masala has a slightly spicier, more tomato-forward sauce with yogurt in the marinade. The chicken in tikka masala is marinated and grilled separately, while butter chicken often uses roasted or pan-cooked chicken. Both are popular, but butter chicken tends to be smoother and more mild.

Can I order butter chicken for delivery in Mill Woods?

Yes. Aashirwaad Sweets And Restaurant delivers butter chicken to Mill Woods Town Centre, Jackson Heights, and Southeast Edmonton. We also offer pickup from our location at 2809 Mill Woods Rd NW. Order online at https://www.aashirwadsweetsandrestaurant.ca or call (587) 524-3300. We're open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. – 12 a.m.; closed Tuesday.