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Indian Butter Chicken

Indian Butter Chicken
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Indian Butter Chicken is a rich, creamy, and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken simmered in a luscious tomato-based sauce with warm spices and butter. This recipe offers an authentic taste that’s easy to prepare at home, perfect for beginners and spice lovers alike, and customizable to suit your preferred heat level or dietary needs.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 500g boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1 cup tomato puree
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or cashew cream
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste (fresh ginger and garlic finely minced or blended)
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp chili powder or paprika (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1/2 tsp fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi), crushed
  • 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp plain yogurt (for marinating)
  • 1 tbsp oil (optional, for cooking)

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: Combine the chicken pieces with yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, chili powder, and salt in a bowl. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 1 hour to tenderize the meat and infuse it with spices.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Heat butter or oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Sear the marinated chicken pieces until browned on all sides but not completely cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  3. Prepare the Sauce: In the same pan, sauté finely chopped onions in butter until golden brown. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook until fragrant. Stir in tomato puree, chili powder, garam masala, and sugar, cooking until the oil separates from the sauce and the mixture thickens.
  4. Simmer the Chicken in the Sauce: Return the seared chicken to the pan and coat it evenly with the sauce. Pour in the cream and add crushed fenugreek leaves. Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook fully and the flavors to meld.
  5. Final Touches: Adjust salt and spice levels to taste. Add a finishing pat of butter on top for extra richness before serving.

Notes

  • Marinate the chicken for longer (up to overnight) for increased tenderness and flavor.
  • Use freshly ground spices for the best aroma and authenticity.
  • Do not skip fenugreek leaves as they provide the signature subtle flavor.
  • Add cream gradually to achieve a perfect balance and silky texture without overpowering the spices.
  • Simmer the sauce gently on low heat to prevent breaking or curdling.

Nutrition

Keywords: Butter Chicken, Indian Butter Chicken, Murgh Makhani, Indian curry, creamy chicken curry, Indian comfort food

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