We're taking a comforting Canadian classic dish and giving it a deliciously bold South Asian twist with this Butter Chicken Poutine. Crispy golden fries are layered with melty cheese and topped with a rich, spiced tomato-butter chicken sauce. It’s warm, indulgent, and irresistibly satisfying.
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Why you'll love this recipe
A fun variation: it's a fusion of Canadian and Indian flavors with a delicious twist!
Comforting: tender chargrilled chicken in butter chicken sauce is creamy, cozy, and aromatic, paired with crispy French fries.
Use up leftovers: using leftover butter chicken makes it a simple dish to prepare.
Customizable: swap out the butter chicken and use chicken tikka masala for a different variation.
Great for entertaining: perfect for weekend dinners, potlucks, or game night eats.
What is poutine?
Originating in Quebec, poutine is a beloved Canadian dish made with crispy French fries, squeaky cheese curds, and hot delicious gravy poured over top.
In this version, we swap the traditional brown gravy for a rich, buttery-tomato curry sauce (butter chicken sauce, also known as murgh makhani), turning it into a poutine-meets-butter chicken masterpiece.
For a luxurious seafood poutine variation, try my Lobster Poutine, made with lobster gravy and chunks of delicious lobster.
Ingredients you'll need
Main:
- French fries: you can use packaged frozen, or make your own; baked according to the package instructions, or deep-fried from scratch
- chargrilled chicken breast: cut into chunks
- butter chicken sauce: you can use prepared jarred sauce, or make on from scratch
- OR leftover butter chicken
- mozzarella cheese: or cheese curds
Garnish:
- chopped cilantro: optional
How to make butter chicken poutine
Prepare the fries:
Bake the French fries according to the package instructions (about 30 minutes at 425F), until golden and crisp.
Heat up leftover butter chicken along with the butter chicken sauce (using saucepan or microwave), until warmed through.
Assemble the poutine:
Place the crispy fries onto an oven-safe vessel.
Sprinkle with cheese (or cheese curds),and add pieces of butter chicken.
Add more cheese and cover with butter chicken sauce.
Place it back into the oven at 425F for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and melty.
Garnish with chopped cilantro (if desired) and serve immediately.
How to serve
Serve the butter chicken poutine piping hot, while the cheese is melty.
It makes a cozy lunch, dinner, or even a shareable appetizer for gatherings.
Pair with a cold refreshing drink such as mango lassi, or iced green tea.
How to store
It's best to enjoy the butter chicken poutine freshly made.
However, you can keep any leftovers (sauce, chicken, fries) separated in containers in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Reheat in a 350°F oven to crisp up the fires, and then assemble.
Expert tips
Cheese curds are ideal for authentic poutine texture, but shredded mozzarella works well.
Make it vegetarian: Sub chana masala chickpea curry or paneer for the chicken.
Adjust the amount of butter chicken sauce according to the vessel you're using. For a wider vessel, you may require more sauce.
Change it up: sub in tater tots instead of French fries to make it more like totchos. Or try it with crispy potato wedges instead.
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Butter Chicken Poutine
For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.
Ingredients
- 1 lb French fries baked according to the package instructions
- 1-2 chargrilled chicken breast cut into chunks
- 1 - 1.5 C butter chicken sauce
- OR leftover butter chicken
- ½ C mozzarella cheese or cheese curds
Garnish:
- chopped cilantro optional
Instructions
Prepare the fries:
- Bake the French fries according to the package instructions (about 30 minutes at 425F), until golden and crisp.
- Heat up leftover butter chicken along with the butter chicken sauce (using saucepan or microwave), until warmed through.
Assemble the poutine:
- Place the crispy fries onto an oven-safe vessel.
- Sprinkle with cheese (or cheese curds), and add pieces of butter chicken.
- Add more cheese and cover with butter chicken sauce.
- Place it back into the oven at 425F for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and melty.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro (if desired) and serve immediately.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.
David @ Spiced
What a fun idea! You took two amazing recipes in their own right and combined them into something new. I love it! As soon as I saw poutine, I knew I was all in here. Pass me a plate!
Michelle
Thanks David! I knew you'd be into this recipe 😀
Heidi
Chicken doused in your amazing butter sauce served over a bed or crispy french fries... this is one dreamy dinner!!! I love the flavors and the textures. This is soooo good!
Michelle
Thanks Heidi! It's a fun way to use up leftover butter chicken!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
What a unique and fun fusion twist on the Canadian classic, and it looks absolutely mouthwatering. Can I order some please? 🙂
Michelle
An order coming right up for you, Ben! 🙂
Tasia
We had some leftover butter chicken from the weekend and this was a delicious lunch! The whole family devoured it!
Michelle
That's amazing to hear, Tasia! Glad the girls and hubby enjoyed it!
Raymund | angsarap.net
Wow what an interesting yet "I know this will be satisfying" combo. This will sell out here in NZ, we love our butter chicken and chips and combining them together, "MIND BLOWN"
Michelle
Ohhh yes I am sure it would be a huge hit in NZ! 😀 Thanks Raymund!