Introduction: The Holy Grail of Indian Cuisine
If there is one dish that defines Indian cuisine globally, it is Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani). It is the litmus test for any Indian restaurant. If the kitchen can nail the Butter Chicken, you can trust them with the rest of the menu.
In Surrey, the competition is fierce. There are hundreds of restaurants claiming to serve the “Best Butter Chicken in Surrey.” But for connoisseurs, the search often leads to one specific door: Baba Chicken.
What makes the Butter Chicken at Baba Chicken superior? Why do locals and critics alike whisper its name when asked for recommendations? It comes down to history, technique, and a refusal to bow to the “sweet tomato soup” version that plagues so many North American restaurants.
The Great Butter Chicken Debate: Red vs. Yellow
To understand why Baba Chicken serves the best butter chicken in Surrey, you have to understand the two main styles of the dish.
- The Delhi/International Style: This is the version most Canadians know. It is bright orange or red, heavy on tomatoes and fenugreek, and often quite sweet (sometimes loaded with sugar or honey).
- The Ludhiana/Baba Style: This is the version Baba Chicken made famous. The gravy is often a lighter orange or golden yellow. It relies less on tomato paste and more on a reduction of fresh tomatoes, onions, cashews, and high-quality cream. It is savory, not sweet. The richness comes from the dairy and the nuts, not sugar.
Baba Chicken serves the latter. It is a sophisticated, grown-up version of the dish. It honors the roots of Murgh Makhani—chicken cooked in butter—without turning it into a dessert.
Deconstructing the Dish
Let’s break down exactly what you get when you order the Baba Butter Chicken at their Surrey location.
The Chicken: It starts with the meat. You cannot have good butter chicken without good tandoori chicken. At Baba Chicken, the chicken (boneless or bone-in) is marinated in yogurt and spices and roasted in the tandoor before it ever touches the sauce. This imparts a smoky flavor that cuts through the richness of the gravy. The meat is tender, having absorbed the marinade for hours.
The Gravy: This is the liquid gold. The chefs at Baba Chicken spend hours preparing the base. It’s a slow process of simmering onions, ginger, garlic, and tomatoes until they break down completely. Then comes the magic: a secret blend of spices (including green cardamom and mace) and a generous finishing of butter and cream. The texture is velvety smooth. It clings to the meat and the naan.
The Balance: The “Best Butter Chicken in Surrey” must have balance. It shouldn’t be just spicy, and it shouldn’t be just creamy. It needs that slight tang (often from fresh tomatoes or a splash of vinegar/lemon) to cut the fat. Baba Chicken hits this balance perfectly. You get the richness of the butter first, followed by the warmth of the spices, and a clean, tangy finish.
Pairings: How to Eat It
You don’t just eat the best butter chicken; you experience it. The vehicle you use to get the curry from the bowl to your mouth matters.
- Garlic Naan: The classic choice. The char on the naan and the bite of garlic compliment the creamy sauce.
- Lachha Paratha: A flaky, layered flatbread. The layers trap the sauce, making every bite a flavor explosion.
- Jeera Rice: For those who prefer rice, the cumin-scented basmati provides a neutral backdrop that lets the butter chicken shine.
Customer Testimonials
Don’t just take our word for it. Look at the reviews for Baba Chicken in Surrey. The phrase “Best Butter Chicken” appears repeatedly.
One local reviewer notes: “I was tired of the sugary butter chicken at other places. Baba Chicken’s version is savory, rich, and tastes like homemade food but elevated. It’s the only place I order from now.”
Another says: “I drove from Vancouver just for this. The yellow gravy is unique and incredibly addictive. It’s definitely the best in Surrey, maybe even BC.”
The Verdict
Surrey is a city of discerning tastes. To claim the title of “Best Butter Chicken in Surrey” requires consistency and quality. Baba Chicken delivers both. They haven’t chased trends; they have stuck to the recipe that made them famous in Ludhiana over 60 years ago.
If you are tired of the same old neon-red, overly sweet curries, it is time to upgrade your palate. Head to 7322 King George Blvd, sit down, and order the Baba Butter Chicken. From the first smoky, creamy bite, you’ll understand why the hunt is over. You’ve found the best.