Ask anyone in northeast Calgary what they love most about Lazeez Indian Cuisine & Sweets, and one dish comes up again and again: the Butter Chicken. Rich, velvety, and perfectly balanced between warmth and creaminess, it has become the signature of everything Chef Manjinder Singh has worked toward throughout his culinary career.
A Recipe Rooted in Two Countries
Chef Manjinder did not arrive at this recipe overnight. Before opening Lazeez in Calgary's Skyview Ranch area, he spent years working in professional kitchens in the United Kingdom, where Indian cuisine holds a deeply cherished place in everyday food culture. The UK's Punjabi diaspora has refined and evolved dishes like Butter Chicken over generations, and Chef Manjinder immersed himself in that tradition — learning not just the recipes, but the philosophy behind them.
"The difference between a good Butter Chicken and an unforgettable one," he says, "is patience and honesty about ingredients." Great Butter Chicken is not rushed. It starts the night before, with chicken marinated in yogurt, lemon, and spices so the flavors penetrate deep into the meat before a single flame is lit.
What Makes Lazeez Butter Chicken Different
There is no shortage of Butter Chicken in Calgary. Walk into any Indian restaurant on Centre Street or in the northeast and you will find it on the menu. So what sets Lazeez apart?
- Tandoor-kissed chicken: The chicken goes into our tandoor oven before it meets the sauce. That char and smokiness is non-negotiable — it is what gives the dish its depth.
- Fresh tomato base, never canned: The makhani sauce starts with fresh tomatoes slow-cooked down with ginger, garlic, and whole spices. No shortcuts.
- Cream added at the end: Cream is folded in at the very last moment, off the direct heat, to preserve its sweetness and keep the sauce silky rather than heavy.
- Balanced heat: Calgary winters call for warmth, but Butter Chicken should never be about burning. We calibrate the chili so there is presence without aggression — you can enjoy the whole bowl.
From the UK to 88 Ave NE
When Chef Manjinder moved to Calgary, he found a community hungry for the kind of food he grew up cooking. Northeast Calgary is home to one of the city's most vibrant South Asian communities, and Lazeez was built for exactly that neighbourhood. The families in Skyview Ranch, Saddle Ridge, Taradale, and Cornerstone deserved a Butter Chicken that felt like home — not a watered-down version designed for unfamiliar palates.
That commitment to authenticity is baked into every batch. If you order Butter Chicken at Lazeez, you are getting the same dish Chef Manjinder refined across five years in professional kitchens, adapted only by the best ingredients available here in Alberta.
Pair It Right
Butter Chicken is at its best with something that can soak up every drop of that makhani sauce. Our kitchen recommends:
- Garlic Naan — torn and dipped, not cut with a fork
- Jeera Rice — cumin-fragrant basmati that complements without competing
- Amritsari Kulchey — a stuffed flatbread that adds texture and a bit of contrast
You can explore these and more on our full menu. And if you want to try the Butter Chicken alongside some of our Hakka Chinese specialties, the combination is one of Lazeez's most popular approaches to a meal — a true reflection of what this kitchen offers.
Come Taste the Story
Every dish at Lazeez carries a story — of culinary training, of community, of feeding families the way they want to be fed. The Butter Chicken is just the most popular chapter.
We are located at 5850 88 Ave NE, Unit 1110, in northeast Calgary, and we are open seven days a week. Whether you dine in or order for delivery, we would love for you to experience what makes our Butter Chicken something people come back for.
