Why Make This Recipe
Butter chicken, also known as murgh makhani, is a classic Indian dish that is loved by many around the world. It is famous for its rich and creamy tomato sauce, combined with tender pieces of chicken. This recipe is perfect for family dinners or when you want to impress your guests with a delicious meal. The flavors are balanced, and it’s a comforting dish that goes well with rice or bread.
How to Make Butter Chicken
Ingredients:
- 1 pound (450g) boneless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch ginger, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Directions:
- In a bowl, mix the yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, and chili powder. Add the chicken pieces, cover, and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft.
- Stir in the garlic and ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the marinated chicken to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, lower the heat, and simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Stir in the heavy cream and cook for another 5 minutes. Add salt to taste.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
How to Serve Butter Chicken
Butter chicken is best served hot. You can enjoy it with steamed basmati rice, naan bread, or parathas. Make sure to have some extra sauce to dip your bread in for a delightful experience!
How to Store Butter Chicken
To store butter chicken, let it cool completely and transfer it to an airtight container. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to 2 months. Just thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Tips to Make Butter Chicken
- Marinating the chicken for longer (up to 4 hours) will enhance the flavors.
- You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less chili powder.
- For a richer flavor, add a splash of kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) before serving.
Variation
For a vegetarian version, you can replace chicken with paneer (Indian cottage cheese) or mixed vegetables. The cooking time may vary slightly, so adjust accordingly.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes, but make sure to thaw the chicken completely before marinating it for the best flavor.
2. Is butter chicken always spicy?
Not necessarily. You can control the heat level by adjusting the amount of chili powder.
3. Can I make this dish in advance?
Yes, butter chicken can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Just reheat it gently before serving.
Butter Chicken
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A rich and creamy tomato sauce with tender pieces of chicken, perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450g) boneless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch ginger, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, and chili powder. Add the chicken pieces, cover, and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft.
- Stir in the garlic and ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the marinated chicken to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, lower the heat, and simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Stir in the heavy cream and cook for another 5 minutes. Add salt to taste.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
Notes
Marinating the chicken for longer will enhance the flavors. Adjust spice level as desired.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: butter chicken, Indian cuisine, creamy chicken, family dinner, curry, chicken recipes, comfort food