Description
“Make restaurant-quality butter chicken at home with this quick and easy recipe! Featuring tender chicken in a rich, creamy tomato sauce, this dish is perfect with naan or rice. Ready in just over an hour, it’s ideal for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests. Try it today!”
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken (thighs or breasts), cut into chunks
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch ginger, grated
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cups tomatoes, pureed
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup cashews
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, mix yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, garam masala, cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Coat the chicken in the marinade and let it rest for at least 30 minutes (preferably overnight).
Cook the Chicken: 3. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and melt 1 tbsp butter. 4. Add the marinated chicken and cook until browned on all sides. Set aside.
Prepare the Sauce: 5. In the same pan, melt the remaining butter and sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant. 6. Pour in pureed tomatoes and cook until the sauce thickens (about 10 minutes). 7. Blend cashews with a little water to form a smooth paste and stir into the sauce. 8. Add garam masala, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, red chili powder, salt, sugar, and crushed fenugreek leaves. 9. Simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Combine and Finish: 10. Return the cooked chicken to the sauce and stir well. 11. Pour in heavy cream, mixing until the sauce turns creamy. 12. Simmer for a few more minutes until the chicken is fully cooked. 13. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
Notes
- Dairy-Free: Substitute coconut cream for heavy cream and oil for butter.
- Vegetarian: Replace chicken with paneer or tofu.
- Spicier: Increase red chili powder or add a chopped green chili.
- Healthier: Use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- marinate time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: indian
Keywords: Butter chicken recipe, homemade butter chicken, easy Indian recipes, Murgh Makhani, creamy chicken curry