Best Butter Chicken in Delhi: The Lazeez Affaire Story Since 1999

FOOD · · By Lazeez Affaire

A North Indian curry dish served at Lazeez Affaire
Quick answer

For butter chicken in Delhi, Lazeez Affaire has been a name to know since 1999, beginning at its original Chanakyapuri outlet. Its North Indian butter chicken pairs tandoor-cooked chicken with a smooth, buttery tomato gravy. You can find it in Chanakyapuri, Connaught Place and at outlets across Delhi NCR.

What makes a butter chicken the best?

Butter chicken is one of the most loved dishes of North Indian cooking, and almost every Delhi family has an opinion on what makes a great one. A few things matter most. The chicken should be marinated well and cooked in a tandoor so it picks up a gentle smoky char. The gravy should be smooth and balanced — tomato for brightness, butter and cream for richness, and spices that warm rather than overpower.

Texture matters too. The gravy should coat the chicken and cling to a piece of naan without being heavy or greasy. And the dish should taste just as good on the last bite as the first.

Those are the standards Lazeez Affaire has aimed for since 1999, and they are why butter chicken remains one of the dishes our guests order most.

How did Lazeez Affaire start?

Lazeez Affaire was founded by Priyank Sukhija in 1999 with its first outlet in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. From the start, the restaurant focused on North Indian and Mughlai food served with warm hospitality — what the team calls ‘Lazeez’ khaana.

The original Chanakyapuri outlet is still open today. Over the years, Lazeez Affaire has grown to outlets across Delhi NCR and India, carrying the same style of cooking to new cities.

That long history matters for a dish like butter chicken. Consistency comes from experience: kitchen teams that have made the dish many thousands of times and know exactly how it should taste.

How is butter chicken cooked?

The classic method has two stages. First the chicken is marinated, typically in yoghurt with ginger, garlic and spices, then cooked in a very hot tandoor until lightly charred. This step gives butter chicken its characteristic smoky depth.

Next comes the gravy. Tomatoes are cooked down with spices and blended until smooth, then finished with butter and cream. Many kitchens add dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi) for a subtle, savoury aroma. The tandoori chicken is then simmered briefly in the gravy so the flavours come together.

The skill lies in balance — enough tomato to keep it bright, enough butter and cream to make it rich, and a gentle hand with spice so the dish stays comforting.

What should you eat with butter chicken?

Butter chicken is best with bread. A buttery naan or garlic naan soaks up the gravy beautifully; a tandoori roti is a lighter option. Steamed rice or jeera rice also works well.

For a complete North Indian meal, add dal makhani — the slow-cooked black lentil dish known at Lazeez Affaire as Dal Lazeez. The pairing of butter chicken and dal makhani is a Delhi favourite for good reason: one rich and tomato-led, the other creamy and earthy.

Start with a kebab platter and finish with a biryani for the table, and you have the full experience described in our top 5 must-try dishes guide.

Where can you find butter chicken near me?

If you are searching for butter chicken near you in Delhi, Lazeez Affaire has two outlets in New Delhi: the original in Chanakyapuri and Scindia House in Connaught Place, where butter chicken is one of the signature dishes.

In Delhi NCR you will also find Lazeez Affaire in Gurugram, at M3M, Sector 65 and HQ27, and in Noida. Beyond Delhi NCR, there are outlets in Hyderabad, Indore, Kalyan, Ranchi and Bhubaneswar.

See every location on the outlets page. Menus vary by outlet, so call ahead if you want to be sure a particular dish is available.

Is Lazeez Affaire good for family dinners?

Yes. Butter chicken is a dish nearly everyone enjoys, which makes it a natural choice for family meals with mixed tastes. Children often like its mild, creamy flavour, while adults can add spicier kebabs or a Bhuna Gosht on the side.

Lazeez Affaire outlets are set up for dining out with friends and family, and many guests come to celebrate birthdays and special occasions.

For family groups, it is best to reserve a table in advance, especially for weekend dinners.

What other North Indian dishes should you try?

Once you have tried the butter chicken, explore the rest of the menu. Mughlai kebabs such as Galouti, Mutton Chapli and Gilafi Seekh are standouts. Slow-cooked Nihari is a hearty, spiced meat stew with deep flavour. Fish Tikka and Tandoori Pomfret show off the tandoor with seafood, and Paneer Lababdar is a rich vegetarian curry.

For a celebration, the Lazeez Special Raan — a slow-cooked leg of lamb — makes a memorable centrepiece.

You can see the signature dishes on our menu page.

Why is butter chicken so popular across India?

Butter chicken has travelled far beyond Delhi. Its appeal is easy to understand: it is rich without being harsh, comforting without being bland, and familiar enough that first-timers feel at home while seasoned eaters still find something to savour in each bite. It is also wonderfully adaptable, pairing equally well with bread or rice.

Across Lazeez Affaire outlets in cities such as Hyderabad, Indore, Kalyan, Ranchi and Bhubaneswar, butter chicken remains a dependable favourite on North Indian menus. For many guests it is the first dish they order and the one they come back for.

Its partner on the table, dal makhani, has followed the same path — together they have become shorthand for a classic North Indian meal wherever you are in the country.

How do you book a table for butter chicken?

Booking is quick. Go to the reservation page, choose your outlet, enter your date and number of guests, and pick a Lunch or Dinner time slot. You will see a confirmation once your booking request is submitted.

Prefer to call? Each outlet page lists its phone number, and the Chanakyapuri outlet can be reached on +91 9899330055.

Since 1999, Lazeez Affaire has been serving butter chicken to Delhi. We look forward to serving yours.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I get butter chicken in Delhi?

Lazeez Affaire serves butter chicken at its New Delhi outlets in Chanakyapuri and Scindia House, Connaught Place, and at outlets across Delhi NCR.

How long has Lazeez Affaire been serving butter chicken?

Lazeez Affaire has served North Indian food, including butter chicken, since its first outlet opened in Chanakyapuri in 1999.

What goes best with butter chicken?

Butter naan or garlic naan, steamed rice and a side of dal makhani are classic accompaniments.

Is butter chicken spicy?

Butter chicken is usually mild and creamy, with warm spices rather than strong heat.

Can I book a table online?

Yes. Use the reservation page to choose an outlet, date, guest count and Lunch or Dinner slot.

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