Butter Chicken Moussaka RecipeButter Chicken Moussaka Recipe is a joyous result of our cozy family dinner where East met West in our plate.
With my love of creamy Indian butter chicken and the hearty comfort of traditional Greek moussaka, it’s a beauty for the holiday season or when you need a wow-worthy entrée for dinner guests. Spiced eggplant and potatoes clothe succulent, buttery chicken, capped off with a velvety béchamel.
Aromatic spices are offset with rich tomato and cream, a harmonious combination of flavors that is equal parts old friend and spicy new love. This will make any meal feel like a special occasion!
How to Make Butter Chicken Moussaka Recipe?
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Cuisine: Fusion (Indian & Greek-inspired)
- Course: Main
- Difficulty: Easy
- Servings: 6
- Calories: Approx. 450 per serving

Ingredients
For the Butter Chicken Layer
- 2 tbsp. canola oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small red pepper, chopped
- 1 lb. ground chicken
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ tsp red chili flakes
- ¼ tsp EACH ground cloves and allspice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
For the Moussaka Layers
- 3 small baking potatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 medium eggplants, sliced
- 2 tbsp. canola oil (for frying)
For the Béchamel Sauce
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 2 tbsp. flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 egg yolk
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Prepare the Butter Chicken Layer
- Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion until soft, about 4 minutes.
- Add the garlic and red pepper, cooking until fragrant.
- Stir in the ground chicken, season with salt, pepper, and red chili flakes, and cook until browned.
- Sprinkle in the ground cloves, allspice, and drop in the cinnamon stick, oregano, and bay leaf.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, reduce the heat, and let it simmer for 15 minutes until thickened. Remove the cinnamon stick and bay leaf before layering.
2. Prepare the Potatoes and Eggplants
- In a separate pan, heat 2 tbsp. of canola oil. Lightly fry the potato slices until golden brown on both sides, and set aside on a paper towel to drain.
- Fry the eggplant slices in the same oil until tender, then set them aside to drain any excess oil.
3. Make the Béchamel Sauce
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour, cooking for about 2 minutes to create a roux.
- Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat, let it cool slightly, then whisk in the egg yolk, nutmeg, and Parmesan cheese.
4. Assemble the Moussaka
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a greased baking dish, layer half the fried potatoes at the bottom.
- Spread the butter chicken mixture on top of the potatoes.
- Add the fried eggplant slices, then top with the remaining potatoes.
- Pour the béchamel sauce evenly over the top.
5. Bake
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Substitute the Chicken: If you prefer, you can use ground lamb or beef instead of chicken for a more traditional moussaka flavor. For a vegetarian option, swap the meat for lentils or a veggie-based protein.
- Cream Swap: You can use milk in place of cream for the béchamel if you want a lighter sauce.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the butter chicken mixture a day in advance and store it in the fridge. This makes assembly faster when you’re ready to bake!
Video Tutorial
Serving Suggestions
I love serving Butter Chicken Moussaka Recipe with a simple cucumber yogurt salad on the side. The coolness of the salad balances the warmth of the spices perfectly. You can also pair it with basmati rice or garlic naan for a heartier meal.
FAQ
Clarify Butter Chicken Moussaka.
This is a fusion dish where typical Indian butter chicken is layered in the style of Greek moussaka. This is where spiced chicken meets eggplant and potato with béchamel, creating a comfortable, pulse-quickening, and full-flavored dish.
What Is Its Preparation Time for Butter Chicken Moussaka?
It takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes to prepare and cook Butter Chicken Moussaka, out of which 20 minutes is for preparation and 50 minutes for cooking.
Can I Use Another Protein Other Than Chicken for the Recipe?
Yes, you can even replace the ground chicken with ground lamb or beef or lentils and a veggie-based protein for the vegetarian version.
What Combinations Would You Recommend With Butter Chicken Moussaka?
Suggested side dishes with Butter Chicken Moussaka include a simple cucumber yogurt salad, basmati rice, or for a more hearty meal, garlic naan.
Conclusion
Butter Chicken Moussaka Recipe is a combination of comfort and bursting flavors, what a delightful twist on two popular recipes.
Whether you’re preparing it for a special occasion or spoiling yourself, it will no doubt be a family favourite. We hope you give this recipe a try and enjoy it as much as we do!
Feel free to let us know what you thought, how you may have improvised this and what else you wish you had added to this! Happy cooking, and savor the flavor of this extraordinary delicious creation! Happy cooking!

Butter Chicken Moussaka Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion until soft, about 4 minutes.
- Add the garlic and red pepper, cooking until fragrant.
- Stir in the ground chicken, season with salt, pepper, and red chili flakes, and cook until browned.
- Sprinkle in the ground cloves, allspice, and drop in the cinnamon stick, oregano, and bay leaf.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, reduce the heat, and let it simmer for 15 minutes until thickened. Remove the cinnamon stick and bay leaf before layering.
- In a separate pan, heat 2 tbsp of canola oil. Lightly fry the potato slices until golden brown on both sides, and set aside on a paper towel to drain.
- Fry the eggplant slices in the same oil until tender, then set them aside to drain any excess oil.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour, cooking for about 2 minutes to create a roux.
- Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat, let it cool slightly, then whisk in the egg yolk, nutmeg, and Parmesan cheese.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a greased baking dish, layer half the fried potatoes at the bottom.
- Spread the butter chicken mixture on top of the potatoes.
- Add the fried eggplant slices, then top with the remaining potatoes.
- Pour the béchamel sauce evenly over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Meat Option: While traditionally made with lamb or beef, you can substitute chicken or turkey for a lighter version.
- Vegetarian Twist: For a meat-free option, replace the meat layer with roasted eggplant, zucchini, or lentils.
- Spice Level: Adjust the spice to your preference by controlling the amount of chili or garam masala in the butter chicken sauce.
- Prep Ahead: Prepare the butter chicken sauce and roasted vegetables a day ahead to save time.
- Serving Suggestion: Pair this dish with a fresh green salad or garlic naan for a complete meal.
- Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for the best texture.
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