Butter Chicken
Course: Lunch, DinnerCuisine: IndianDifficulty: Easy4
servings20
minutes40
minutes1
hourButter Chicken is renowned for its rich, creamy texture and the perfect blend of spices, creating an indulgent and comforting experience with every bite!
Ingredients
1 large white onion, medium diced
1/2 cup heavy cream
8 oz can of tomato sauce
14.5 oz can of petite diced tomatoes
3 chicken breasts, large
2 tbsp butter
- Chicken Marinade
1/3 cup plain greek yogurt
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp garam masala
2 tsp corriander, ground
1 tsp tumeric
2 tsp kashmiri chili powder
2 tsp salt
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp ginger, freshly grated
2 tbsp garlic, freshly grated
- Optional Sides
naan bread
basmati rice
Directions
- Begin by prepping all of your ingredients, as it will make this recipe come together super quickly! Dice your chicken breasts into bite size pieces and combine with the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and seasoning mix. Let marinate overnight if possible, or for at least 1 hour in the fridge.
- Once the chicken is ready, heat up your pot to medium-high heat, add 1 tbsp of butter and sear your chicken until lightly browned on all sides. Cook until the chicken is about 80% done, then set aside. Lower stove to medium heat.
- In the same pot, add your onions and sweat for 3-5 minutes. Next, add the minced ginger and garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Now you can add the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes to the pot and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Next, put your sauce into a blender and purée for about 1 minute. Using a strainer, pour the sauce back into the pot. Next, add your chicken into the pot and let simmer for 20 minutes.
- While the butter chicken is simmering, you can warm up the naan in the oven. If you would like to serve alongside rice, now is a great time to cook it as well.
- For finishing touches, add the heavy cream and butter in and stir. Your naan should be warm and soft by now. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- When cooking the chicken, I like to add 1 tbsp of oil with the butter to prevent the butter from burning.
Butter Chicken
Homemade butter chicken is a flavorful and aromatic dish that hails from the rich culinary traditions of India. Known as “Murgh Makhani” in Hindi, this dish features tender pieces of chicken cooked in a luscious, creamy tomato sauce that is infused with a blend of spices. Preparing butter chicken at home allows you to tailor the flavors to your liking, making it a versatile and satisfying meal for any occasion!
The process of making homemade butter chicken begins with marinating the chicken in a mixture of yogurt, lemon juice, and a medley of spices such as garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili powder. This marinade not only imparts a deep flavor to the chicken but also helps to tenderize the meat. After marinating for several hours, or preferably overnight, the chicken is then grilled or seared to achieve a slightly charred exterior, which adds to the dish’s depth of flavor.
The signature sauce of butter chicken is made by sautéing onions, garlic, and ginger until they are caramelized and fragrant. Tomatoes are then added and cooked down to form a rich base, which is puréed to create a smooth consistency. A generous amount of butter and cream is incorporated into the sauce, giving it its characteristic creamy texture and luxurious taste. The grilled chicken pieces are then simmered in the sauce, allowing the flavors to meld together. Homemade butter chicken is best served with warm naan bread or steamed basmati rice, making it a comforting and indulgent meal that brings the vibrant flavors of Indian cuisine to your kitchen.
Thank you so much for reading! For other great dinner ideas, check out our Chicken and Broccoli Fettuccine recipe here.