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Is Woolworths Butter Chicken Best? Ranking the Top Ready-Made Meals

Butter chicken is one of the most popular ready-made meals on the Australian market – but is Woolworths butter chicken best? We’ve done some digging on this Aussie classic to find the best butter chicken ready-made meal.
# NAME SizeCaloriesProteinCarbsFat
400g25111.2g74.8g9.2g
350g30416.1g35.5g10.2g
320g32721.2g26.8g12.9g
220g33921.8g38.8g10.0g
375g35716.5g52.5g9.0g
350g38428.0g37.8g12.2g
350g43041.9g36.2g11.9g
350g45730.0g26.0g25.0g
330g47531.7g45.9g17.49g
350g48316.1g77.0g11.6g
400g48538.0g54.4g12.8g
350g49038.5g44.4g16.4g
350g51716.6g79.5g13.7g
350g53848.2g59.4g12.3g
350g54330.5g62.7g18.9g
375g55020.9g56.7g26.5g
314g56127.4g21.1g178.6g
400g57238.0g45.0g26.0g
400g57345.0g54.0g18.0g
480g63825.0g72.0g25.9g
250g65514.1g37.9g49.3g
400g73139.4g85.8g25.5g
444g87546.1g88.6g35.3g
Updated on Apr 02, 2024

Are you all about quick and easy meals that still pack a punch with nice flavour? Same. Here at Mealprep.com.au, we love a quick chilled meal that can easily be chucked in the microwave – a “heat and eat” meal, if you will.

We’re also serious lovers of butter chicken ready-made meals, and with so many on the market, we wanted to do a deep dive to find the best of the best. Woolworths butter chicken is certainly a classic, and often touted as the best… but is it?

Well, let’s find out. We’ve gathered data on a whopping 20+ ready-made butter chicken curry meals in Australia (dishes you can find in your local Coles, Woolworths or online dedicated meal delivery service provider) to compare which is the best.

We’re breaking down macros, calories and even vegetarian options to find the ultimate butter chicken ready-made meal.

The table at the top of the page shows you the top ready-made butter chicken meals on the market, and below we’ve broken it down into some key info you might find useful!

PS – Wanna know the best ready-made meal of other classics like carbonara, lasagne, spaghetti bolognese and more? Head here!

What’s in Butter Chicken?

Butter chicken is an Indian dish that combines a whole range of different ingredients to create its amazing flavour. The key players in this dish are the butter chicken sauce, ginger, tomato paste, and canola oil.

Some butter chickens have diced tomato or corn starch to thicken it, some have lentils, some use citric acid, and almost every butter chicken you come across will use different herbs & spices. It’s truly a dish you can make your own! You can serve it with some grain rice and yoghurt, or with naan bread if that’s more your style.

Is Butter Chicken Healthy?

As with anything and determining if it’s “healthy” or not, there are a few things to consider like serving size, ingredients and if it fits your personal calories and macros.

You can also consider the health star rating, so for example Woolworths butter chicken has a rating of 3.5, which isn’t bad, but it could be higher. It’s hard to compare the health star rating of ready-made butter chicken meals because not every meal has a health star rating on it. When considering the health of a pre-made meal, always look at the first ingredient – it should be a whole food, and in the case of a butter chicken meal, it should be chicken (for Wooloworths butter chicken this checks out – the first ingredient is RSPCA approved chicken).

Which Providers Featured on Mealprep.com.au Do Butter Chicken Ready-Made Meals?

If you’re looking for butter chicken from dedicated meal delivery providers, here’s a list of who has butter chicken on the menu:

  1. Strength Meals Co Butter Chicken
  2. Coco & Lucas’ Butter Chicken & Jasmine Rice Frozen Meal
  3. Fast Fuel Meals Butter Chicken
  4. Dineamic Butter Chicken With Turmeric Rice & Currants
  5. My Muscle Chef Butter Chicken With Saffron Pilaf

Who Does the Best Butter Chicken Ready-Made Meal?

If we’re looking specifically at protein, Woolworths butter chicken definitely isn’t the best butter chicken ready-made meal. With just 4.6g per 100g, it ranks as one of the lower protein-dense butter chicken meals on the list.

Is it the tastiest? Well, taste is super personal, so we can’t answer that. We’ve tasted a lot of the butter chickens on this list and can confidently say most of the mealprep.com.au team love the Woolworths butter chicken. But is it our favourite? No.

Our favourite is the My Muscle Chef Butter Chicken With Saffron Pilaf. It’s tasty, has 12.5g of protein per 100g, and 573 calories in the whole meal (350g). We also love the convenience of ready-made meal delivery services – so we’d always opt for a meal provider when we can.

FAQ

Is Butter Chicken Gluten-Free?

It depends on the recipe or the brand. Some butter chicken preparations may contain gluten, while others are gluten-free. If you have a gluten intolerance or allergy, it’s important to check the labels or ingredients list to make sure it’s safe for you to enjoy. Look for gluten-free versions or brands if needed.

Is Butter Chicken High in Carbs?

Butter chicken can have varying amounts of carbs depending on the recipe and ingredients used. The sauce and added ingredients may contribute to the carb content, as will any additional sides of rice or naan bread. It’s a good idea to check the nutritional information or packaging for details on the carb content.

What Allergens Are in Butter Chicken?

The allergens in butter chicken can vary depending on the recipe and preparation method. Common allergens to look out for include dairy (if the dish contains cream or yogurt), tree nuts (if added as garnish or in the sauce), and gluten (if the sauce contains wheat-based ingredients). Always read the labels or ingredient list carefully to identify potential allergens and ensure it’s safe for you to consume.

Do Ready-Made Meals Have Lots of Preservatives?

Ready-made meals can have varying levels of preservatives depending on the brand and specific product. Some ready-made meals may contain preservatives to help maintain freshness and extend shelf life. However, there are also many options available that are preservative-free or use natural preservation methods.

So, is Woolworths Butter Chicken Best?

In our opinion, Woolworths Butter Chicken doesn’t take the crown for being the absolute best when it comes to protein content. But hey,—it does taste pretty damn good! At the end of the day, what makes the “best” butter chicken really depends on what floats your taste buds’ boat. It’s all about personal preference, macros, calorie goals, and what satisfies your cravings.

So, when you’re on the hunt for the perfect butter chicken, be a savvy shopper and don’t forget to check out those product reviews. They’ll give you valuable insights from fellow food enthusiasts who’ve tasted different brands and variations. That way, you can make an informed decision that’s tailored to your own unique palate and dietary needs. Happy butter chicken

Ally Burnie
Ally Burnie
Health & fitness journalist and presenter based in Melbourne/Naarm with a passion for – you guessed it - health and fitness, cooking, outdoor adventures, hiking, and travel.

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