Food has a way of bringing cultures together, and Indian cuisine is a perfect example of this rich diversity. Every region in India offers its own flavours—North India is known for spicy parathas, kachoris, chole-bhature, and creamy gravies, while South India is home to idli, dosa, sambar, vada, and coconut-based dishes. Among non-vegetarians, chicken remains a universal favourite, with countless recipes across regions.
TasteAtlas, a global food and travel guide known for ranking traditional dishes from around the world, has released its list of the top 20 chicken dishes worldwide. Several Indian favourites have earned a place on this coveted list.
India’s representation in the top 20
India’s iconic Butter Chicken has secured the fifth spot globally, placing it above Pakistan’s famous Chicken Kadai, which ranks ninth. This highlights the enduring global popularity of butter chicken, known for its velvety tomato-based gravy and rich flavours.
Not just one, but two Indian dishes feature in the top 20. Along with butter chicken, Tandoori Chicken also finds a place, ranking at number 14.
Global rankings and ratings
According to TasteAtlas:
• Butter Chicken (India): 5th place with a 4.5 rating
• Chicken Kadai (Pakistan): 9th place
• Tandoori Chicken (India): 14th place with a 4.4 rating
The top three chicken dishes globally are from:
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Turkey
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Morocco
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South Korea
Peru’s popular chicken dish ranks fourth.
How is Butter Chicken made?
Butter chicken begins with marinating cleaned chicken in yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, red chilli powder, and spices. Separately, onions, tomatoes, cashews, and whole spices are sautéed in butter until the mixture releases oil. The marinated chicken is added and cooked, followed by cream, fenugreek leaves, and a little more butter. The gravy is simmered until it becomes thick, rich, and creamy—creating the world-famous flavour that earned its high ranking.
