Description
Creamy, aromatic butter chicken brings North Indian culinary magic to your dinner table. Rich tomato-based sauce and tender chicken pieces create a luxurious meal that delights with complex spices and smooth texture you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 500 grams boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Marinade and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 can (400 grams) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Create a vibrant marinade by whisking together yogurt, lemon juice, aromatic spices, garlic, and ginger in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Thoroughly coat chicken pieces in the marinade, ensuring each morsel is completely enveloped with the spice mixture.
- Refrigerate the marinated chicken for a minimum of one hour, allowing the flavors to penetrate deeply and tenderize the meat.
- Preheat a large skillet to medium heat and introduce a touch of vegetable oil.
- Carefully place marinated chicken into the skillet, discarding excess marinade, and cook until golden and fully cooked through.
- Extract the cooked chicken and reserve on a separate plate.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté finely chopped onions until they become translucent and slightly caramelized.
- Introduce minced garlic and grated ginger, releasing their intense aromatics and creating a fragrant base.
- Sprinkle ground spices into the skillet, stirring continuously to toast and awaken their complex flavors.
- Pour crushed tomatoes into the spice mixture, allowing the sauce to simmer and reduce, developing a rich, deep flavor profile.
- Transform the sauce into a silky smooth consistency by blending thoroughly, either using a traditional blender or an immersion blender.
- Return the velvety sauce to the skillet and gently reintroduce the cooked chicken pieces.
- Stream in heavy cream and a hint of sugar, stirring to create a luxurious, balanced sauce.
- Simmer the curry, allowing the chicken to absorb the intricate spice blend and sauce to reach the perfect consistency.
- Taste and fine-tune seasoning with additional salt if required.
- Finish by scattering fresh cilantro over the dish.
- Present piping hot alongside fragrant basmati rice or warm naan bread.
Notes
- Marinate chicken longer for deeper, more intense flavor profiles that permeate every tender bite.
- Use full-fat yogurt to ensure maximum tenderness and create a rich, velvety sauce texture.
- Choose bone-in chicken thighs for extra moisture and more robust flavor compared to bland chicken breasts.
- Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version that maintains creamy consistency while adding subtle tropical undertones.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 665
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 43 g
- Saturated Fat: 27 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg