Delhi and chicken share a love story that goes back centuries. From the smoky tandoors of Old Delhi’s narrow bylanes to the gleaming modern kitchens of South Delhi’s upscale dining districts, this city takes its chicken seriously. Whether you are chasing the silky, buttery richness of a classic Murgh Makhani, the charred perfection of a well-marinated tikka, or the crispy crunch of fried street-style chicken, Delhi delivers in every direction. This guide takes you through the very best chicken restaurants in Delhi — the historic legends, the neighbourhood staples, and the modern establishments that have earned their place among the city’s finest.
1. Moti Mahal, Daryaganj – Where It All Began
No conversation about chicken in Delhi is complete without Moti Mahal. Founded in 1947 by Kundan Lal Gujral, Kundan Lal Jaggi, and Thakur Das Magu after the Partition of India, this unassuming restaurant in the Daryaganj area is widely credited as the birthplace of butter chicken and tandoori chicken as we know them today. The story goes that Gujral, seeking a way to prevent leftover tandoori chicken from drying out, devised a velvety butter and tomato sauce to rehydrate the pieces — and inadvertently invented one of the world’s most beloved dishes.
In its golden era during the 1950s and 60s, Moti Mahal’s guest list read like a who’s who of world history — from Jawaharlal Nehru and Maulana Azad to US President Richard Nixon and Jacqueline Kennedy. Maulana Azad himself famously remarked to the Shah of Iran that visiting Delhi without eating at Moti Mahal was like visiting Agra without seeing the Taj Mahal.
Today, the original Daryaganj outlet retains its vintage pink walls, simple décor, and that irreplaceable old-Delhi character. The butter chicken here remains deeply flavourful — rich, mildly spiced, and kissed with the kind of buttery depth that no modern shortcut can replicate. If you visit Delhi for just one chicken meal, let it be here.
- Must Try: Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken, Dal Makhani
- Location: Daryaganj, New Delhi
2. Karim’s, Jama Masjid – The Mughal Legacy Lives On
Established in 1913, Karim’s near the Jama Masjid in Old Delhi is one of the city’s most storied restaurants. The founder, Haji Karimuddin, was a descendant of cooks who once served in the royal Mughal kitchens, and the restaurant has carried that culinary lineage with remarkable fidelity ever since. Walking into Karim’s is a genuine step back in time — the interiors are vintage and unpretentious, the aromas are intoxicating, and the food is unapologetically bold.
Their chicken dishes are a testament to the power of restrained, classical Mughal spicing. The Chicken Jahangiri is a standout — a whole chicken cooked in a deeply aromatic gravy that balances warming whole spices with a richness that lingers on the palate. The Burra Kebab, though traditionally mutton, has a chicken version that is equally impressive. The seekh kebabs here are hand-mixed and grilled to perfection, with a juiciness that mass-production simply cannot achieve.
Karim’s is the kind of restaurant that spoils you for every other place that tries to replicate its magic. The main Jama Masjid outlet remains the most authentic of all its branches.
- Must Try: Chicken Jahangiri, Seekh Kebab, Naan with Chicken Korma
- Location: 16, Jama Masjid, Matia Mahal Road, Old Delhi
3. Khan Chacha, Khan Market – The Iconic Roll Wala
No list of Delhi’s best chicken spots would be honest without Khan Chacha. Founded in 1962 by Haji Banda Hasan, this legendary corner stall-turned-restaurant in Khan Market was one of the first eateries to plant its flag in the neighbourhood, earning its founder the affectionate title of ‘Khan Chacha’ — an uncle figure of the Delhi food scene.
Khan Chacha built its reputation on rolls — warm, slightly charred parathas wrapped tightly around spiced, juicy fillings. The Chicken Tikka Roll here is a masterclass in balance: tender pieces of well-marinated chicken, a swipe of green chutney, sliced onions, and a squeeze of lime, all bundled into a paratha that holds together perfectly until the last bite. The Chicken Seekh Roll is equally addictive.
Over the decades, Khan Chacha expanded from a street stall to a proper restaurant, but the essence of the food — honest, flavourful, no-frills — has remained unchanged. It is the kind of place where college students, office workers, and food bloggers all queue happily side by side.
- Must Try: Chicken Tikka Roll, Chicken Seekh Roll, Afghani Chicken
- Location: 50, Middle Lane, Khan Market, New Delhi
4. Aslam Chicken Corner, Jama Masjid – Butter Beyond Imagination
If Moti Mahal invented butter chicken, Aslam Chicken Corner reinvented it. Tucked into the dense, fragrant lanes near Matia Mahal in Old Delhi, Aslam’s is a cult destination for food lovers who are willing to brave the chaos of the area for a plate of something truly extraordinary.
What makes Aslam’s butter chicken unique is its preparation philosophy — there are no onions, no tomatoes, and no complicated layering of spices in the gravy. Instead, the chicken is first cooked in a tandoor, then bathed in a sauce that is essentially pure butter, fresh cream, and a handful of secret spices that the family has guarded jealously for decades. The result is a dish that is richer, more indulgent, and more intensely chicken-forward than almost anything else in the city.
Aslam’s also does a spectacular Buttery Chicken Tikka — pieces of chicken marinated in spiced yoghurt and Amul butter, grilled until slightly charred on the outside and perfectly juicy within. This is Old Delhi eating at its most glorious.
- Must Try: Butter Chicken, Buttery Chicken Tikka, Chicken Biryani
- Location: Matia Mahal, near Jama Masjid, Old Delhi
5. Gulati, Pandara Road – The North Indian Classic
Pandara Road Market in central Delhi has long been one of the city’s premier dining destinations, and Gulati is its most celebrated occupant. This restaurant has been feeding Delhiites since the 1950s and has built an impeccable reputation for consistent, high-quality North Indian cooking.
Gulati’s butter chicken is rich and well-balanced, but it is the Murg Gulati Bemisal — a house-special chicken preparation — that truly sets this restaurant apart from its peers. The dish features tender chicken cooked in a complex, multi-layered gravy that strikes a perfect harmony between the heat of the spices and the cooling richness of the cream. The chicken dishes here pair magnificently with Gulati’s famously light, charred naans that arrive hot from the tandoor.
The restaurant’s ambience is comfortable and polished without being pretentious, and the service is attentive and professional. For visitors to Delhi who want to experience great North Indian chicken cooking in a setting that feels both classic and welcoming, Gulati is an essential stop.
- Must Try: Murg Gulati Bemisal, Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken, Dal Makhani
- Location: 6, Pandara Road Market, New Delhi
6. Bukhara, ITC Maurya – The Legendary Frontier Experience
For those seeking a truly elevated chicken dining experience, Bukhara at the ITC Maurya hotel is in a league of its own. Consistently ranked among the finest restaurants in Asia, Bukhara has been serving its North-West Frontier–inspired cuisine since 1978 and has hosted an extraordinary roster of world leaders and dignitaries over the decades.
The restaurant’s defining philosophy is one of simplicity and restraint. There are no complex gravies here — the focus is entirely on the quality of the meat, the precision of the marination, and the mastery of the tandoor. The Murgh Malai Kebab at Bukhara — chicken marinated in a smooth blend of cashew paste, cream, green chilli, and fresh coriander — is perhaps the single best chicken preparation in the city. It arrives at the table with a delicate char on the outside and an almost impossibly silky texture within.
Dining at Bukhara is an experience as much as a meal. The rustic décor, the sight of massive tandoors blazing in the open kitchen, and the theatre of kebabs being carved and served tableside make it a place to savour slowly.
- Must Try: Murgh Malai Kebab, Dal Bukhara, Sikandari Raan
- Location: ITC Maurya, Sardar Patel Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
7. Juneja’s Eating Plaza, Mehar Chand Market – The Hidden Gem
For those who prefer their great food without fanfare or a large bill, Juneja’s in the charming Mehar Chand Market near Lodhi Colony is a revelation. This no-frills neighbourhood eatery has earned a fierce following among Delhi’s food-literate crowd for one reason above all others: its Chicken Tikka.
The pieces of chicken breast here are marinated overnight in a blend of yoghurt, Kashmiri red chilli, ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, and a touch of lime before being skewered and grilled in a proper tandoor. The result is chicken that is genuinely juicy, properly smoky, and bursting with flavour. Served with freshly made mint chutney and raw onions, it is the kind of honest, well-executed dish that reminds you why simple food done brilliantly always beats elaborate food done carelessly.
Mehar Chand Market itself is a lovely destination — lined with small boutiques and cafés — making Juneja’s an ideal stop during an afternoon in the area.
- Must Try: Chicken Tikka, Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Curry
- Location: 74, Mehar Chand Market, Lodhi Colony, New Delhi
Tips for Exploring Delhi’s Chicken Scene
Navigating Delhi’s extraordinary chicken landscape is half the adventure. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Old Delhi for depth: The restaurants and dhabas of Old Delhi — particularly around Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk — offer chicken preparations with unmatched depth of flavour. These kitchens have been honing their recipes for generations, and that time investment is tasted in every bite.
- Go early or late: Popular spots like Aslam’s and Karim’s get extremely crowded during peak lunch and dinner hours. Arriving just before the rush or slightly after ensures a more relaxed experience.
- Pair wisely: Delhi’s chicken dishes are designed to be eaten with bread. A buttery Murgh Makhani begs for a tandoori naan; a dry Chicken Tikka is best alongside rumali roti or a crisp paratha.
- Budget smartly: Delhi offers spectacular chicken across every price point — from a ₹150 chicken roll at Khan Chacha to a ₹3,000 per person tasting experience at Bukhara. Neither is a compromise; both are genuinely excellent.
Final Thoughts
Delhi’s relationship with chicken is one of history, passion, and relentless creativity. From the partition-era innovation that gave the world butter chicken to the street-corner genius of a perfectly assembled tikka roll, this city has shaped global chicken cuisine in ways that are still being felt in kitchens from London to Los Angeles. Whether you are a visitor experiencing Delhi for the first time or a resident rediscovering its food scene, the restaurants in this guide offer something irreplaceable — the taste of a city’s soul on a plate. Go hungry, go curious, and go with an open appetite.