An iconic North Indian classic, reimagined for the modern kitchen.

Butter Chicken, or Murgh Makhni, is one of North India’s most celebrated dishes, known for its velvety texture, gentle tomato tang and soft spiced warmth. Traditionally, curries layer a blend of dry spices with fresh ingredients, so the flavour builds slowly and naturally.

Spice Zen’s Certified Organic Butter Chicken Spice Blend honours this heritage with a carefully composed mix of 16 certified organic whole spices. Each batch is slowly roasted and stone-milled to bring out aroma, colour and the smooth, silky character of a classic makhni-style sauce.

Handcrafted in small batches at our certified organic, gluten-free Sydney facility, this blend contains no onion, garlic, sugar, salt, nuts, dairy or fillers. This gives you full control over richness, sweetness, heat and dietary preferences, whether cooking traditionally or adapting for modern needs. 

As a dry blend rather than a wet paste, it keeps in the pantry for up to 18 months, so you can cook with it a little at a time.

While ideal for classic Butter Chicken, the blend is equally at home in Chicken Tikka Masala, Paneer Makhni, Palak Paneer, tandoori-style marinades and modern fusion dishes.

Flavour & Aroma Profile

Smooth tomato warmth, mild heat, aromatic spice depth and a naturally rich orange-red hue.

How to Use

• Use 1 tbsp per approximately 500 g chicken, paneer, tofu or vegetables. 

  One tablespoon serves 3 to 4 people, so a 30 g pack makes about 3 meals.

• If you like, cook finely chopped onion and garlic in butter or ghee until very soft, then add the blend and warm gently until aromatic.
• Add tomato passata, or tomato paste thinned with water, and simmer until thick and glossy.
• Blend the sauce completely smooth, then add your chicken, paneer, tofu or vegetables and cook through.
• Finish with cream or coconut cream for a velvety makhni style sauce.

Good to Know

How much Butter Chicken Spice Blend should I use?

Use 1 tablespoon per 500 g of chicken, paneer, tofu or vegetables for a classic North Indian flavour. For a milder, family-friendly curry, use ½ tablespoon. For a bolder flavour, increase to 1½ tablespoons, or add fresh chilli separately for extra heat.

How many meals does one jar of Butter Chicken Spice Blend make?

Each tablespoon seasons approximately 500 g of chicken, paneer, tofu or vegetables, enough to serve 3 to 4 people. A 30 g jar makes approximately 3 family meals, a 60 g jar makes 6, and a 95 g jar makes 10. A little goes a long way, making it ideal for everyday cooking rather than a single-use meal kit.

Is Spice Zen Butter Chicken a dry spice blend or a curry paste?

It is a pure, dry spice blend, not a ready-made curry paste or sauce. Made without added preservatives, oils or fillers, it delivers concentrated spice flavour while allowing you to control the creaminess, sweetness, salt and consistency of your Butter Chicken. 

How do I make butter chicken with it?

Gently cook onion and garlic in butter or ghee, if using, then add the spice blend and warm briefly until aromatic. Stir in smooth tomato passata or tomato purée and simmer to develop flavour and colour. Add chicken, cook until tender, and finish with cream for a rich, velvety makhni-style sauce. Season with salt to taste. Coconut cream makes a delicious dairy-free alternative.

How do I get a smooth, restaurant-style butter chicken sauce?

The secret to a silky makhni sauce is a well-cooked, smooth base. Gently soften finely chopped onion and garlic in butter or ghee, add the Butter Chicken Spice Blend, then stir in tomato passata or diluted tomato paste. Simmer until rich and fragrant, then blend until smooth before adding cream or coconut cream, just as we do for our tastings.

No blender? Finely grate the onion and garlic, simmer a little longer, then pass the sauce through a fine sieve for a smoother finish.

Is Butter Chicken Spice Blend hot?

No, it has a mild, warming heat rather than an intense chilli kick. For a gentler, family-friendly curry, use ½ tablespoon per 500 g and finish with extra cream or coconut cream. For more heat, add fresh chilli to taste.

Does Butter Chicken Spice Blend contain onion, garlic, salt, sugar, nuts or dairy?

No. Our blend contains no onion, garlic, added salt, sugar, nuts, dairy or fillers. Just 16 carefully selected certified organic spices, giving you complete control over the flavour, richness and seasoning of your dish.

Is Butter Chicken Spice Blend vegan and gluten-free?

Yes. The blend is ACO certified organic, vegan and gluten-free, with Coeliac Australia endorsement. It is handcrafted in small batches at our dedicated gluten-free Sydney facility. Use it with chicken, paneer, tofu or vegetables to suit your dietary preferences.

Can I use it for dishes other than butter chicken?

Absolutely. Try it in chicken tikka masala, paneer makhni, creamy vegetable curries, tandoori-style marinades or even a butter chicken pie. For a simple marinade, mix 1½ to 2 teaspoons per 500 g of chicken, paneer or tofu with yoghurt, or oil and lemon juice.

Can I make butter chicken dairy-free with this blend?

Yes. The blend itself contains no dairy. Replace butter or ghee with coconut oil and finish with coconut cream instead of dairy cream. For a plant-based version, use tofu, chickpeas or vegetables in place of chicken.

Why is my butter chicken sauce not as red as the restaurant version?

Authentic butter chicken develops a natural orange-red colour from tomatoes, spices and cream. Some restaurant versions use added food colouring for a more vivid appearance. Our blend creates a naturally warm, appetising colour without artificial colouring. The sauce develops deeper colour and flavour as it gently simmers.

How long does Butter Chicken Spice Blend keep?

Our dry spice blends have an 18-month best-before period from packing. Unlike ready-made sauces or pastes, you can use just the amount you need and keep the rest for future meals. Store the sealed amber glass jar in a cool, dry place away from direct light, and refer to the best-before date on the packaging.

Perfect For

• Easy weeknight dinners
• Family-friendly and kid-friendly curries
• Vegetarian, vegan and allergen-aware meals
• Entertaining and shared plates
• Meal prep and batch cooking
• Modern fusion recipes

Wellness Note

A pure blend of certified organic spices crafted without onion, garlic, nuts, dairy, fillers or additives. Traditionally enjoyed as part of balanced, flavour-led Indian cooking.

Presentation & Storage

Certified organic and gluten-free. Handcrafted in small batches and packed in amber glass jars to protect freshness and aroma. Store in a cool, dry place away from light. 

Keeps for up to 18 months in the pantry.