Easy Butter Chicken Moussaka Recipe for Food Lovers

For fusion recipes, I have a great love, and the above Butter Chicken Moussaka Recipe makes a beautiful marriage of both favorite dishes: butter chicken’s creamy richness combined with moussaka’s comfort in layers. 

You’ve heard it; the hearty Greek classic is nestled into some deep, spiced flavors of Indian cuisines. It’s definitely going to be one of those dishes perfect for a cozy family dinner but impressive enough to serve when having a few friends over.

Butter Chicken Moussaka Recipe holds a special place in my heart because its flavor and ease go hand-in-hand. Nothing fancy, no fancy ingredients or tools – just very simple steps in order to create something beautifully delicious.

 It’s my go-to for getting a traditional dish with a little twist, and trust me, your taste buds will thank you!

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

Conclusion

You have to try this Butter Chicken Moussaka Recipe. I’m certain it will take its place as one of your new family favorites. 

The ingredients of moussaka really combine themselves with rich buttery chicken spices magic, making it truly a match made in foodie heaven. I’m really curious to know how yours turned out, so please leave a comment or ask me anything below! Happy cooking!