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Butter Chicken

Butter Chicken
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This quick and easy Butter Chicken recipe delivers a rich, creamy, and comforting meal with tender chicken simmered in a buttery tomato sauce infused with warm spices. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners, it uses simple, flexible ingredients and fills your kitchen with inviting aromas while providing a satisfying, family-friendly dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

  • 500g boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into pieces
  • 3 tbsp yogurt
  • 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • Salt, to taste
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp ground coriander
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Sauce

  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 cup tomato puree or crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Garnish

  • Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Optional: drizzle of cream or melted butter

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: Combine the chicken pieces with yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, salt, and spices (garam masala, turmeric, chili powder, cumin, coriander, black pepper) in a bowl. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 20 minutes to tenderize and infuse flavors into the meat.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Heat a little oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the marinated chicken, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and almost cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Prepare the Sauce: In the same pan, melt the butter. Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté along with the ground spices until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in the tomato puree and simmer until the sauce thickens and the color brightens, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken back into the sauce, stirring to coat. Pour in the cream slowly, stirring gently to create a rich, velvety texture in the sauce.
  5. Simmer and Finish: Let everything simmer together on low heat for 5-10 minutes, ensuring the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened to your preferred consistency. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Notes

  • Marinate the chicken longer (up to a few hours) for more tender, flavorful meat.
  • Use pure butter or a butter-oil mix to prevent burning and add richness.
  • Allow the tomato sauce to reduce properly to enhance flavor and texture.
  • Add cream gradually to adjust sauce thickness.
  • Freshly ground spices provide the best flavor impact.

Nutrition

Keywords: Butter Chicken, Indian Chicken Curry, Easy Dinner, Weeknight Meal, Creamy Chicken, Garam Masala

Find it online: https://mealsbylina.com/butter-chicken/