Butter chicken vs dal makhani: calories and protein compared
Short answer: for fat loss pick butter chicken; for muscle gain butter chicken does more. The numbers are per usual serving, so check the serving sizes in the table.
| Per serving | Butter chicken | Dal makhani |
|---|---|---|
| Serving | 1 katori · 200 g | 1 katori · 150 g |
| Calories | 251 kcal | 212 kcal |
| Protein | 29 g | 10 g |
| Carbs | 4 g | 24 g |
| Fat | 14 g | 9 g |
| Protein per 100 kcal | 11.6 g | 4.7 g |
| Calories from fat | 48% | 37% |
What the numbers say
- Butter chicken has 39 kcal more a serving than dal makhani. One serving of butter chicken has the calories of about 1.2 servings of dal makhani.
- Butter chicken has more protein: 29 g vs 10 g.
- For protein per calorie, butter chicken wins with 11.6 g per 100 kcal.
- They suit different diets: butter chicken is non-veg and dal makhani is vegetarian.
Which to pick
- Losing fat: Butter chicken, because it gives more protein for each calorie, which keeps you full and protects muscle.
- Building muscle: Butter chicken, because it brings more protein a serving.
- Either way: the cooking fat moves both numbers most. Halving the oil or ghee is the easiest cut.