Description
Creamy butter chicken blends aromatic spices from Northern India’s culinary landscape. Marinated chicken simmers in a rich tomato-based sauce, promising a delightful journey you’ll savor with each flavorful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup (120 grams) plain yogurt
- 1 can (14 oz / 400 grams) tomato puree
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream (or coconut milk for a dairy-free option)
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsps butter
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter (for finishing)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp chili powder (or paprika for a milder heat)
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Marination Preparation: Blend yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder, garam masala, and salt in a large bowl, creating a robust, fragrant marinade.
- Chicken Coating: Submerge chicken pieces completely in the spice mixture, massaging thoroughly to ensure each morsel is evenly coated and infused with intense flavors.
- Flavor Infusion: Refrigerate marinated chicken for at least 1 hour, allowing spices to penetrate deeply and tenderize the meat, with overnight marination recommended for maximum taste complexity.
- Temperature Adjustment: Remove chicken from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking, letting it reach room temperature to promote uniform cooking and optimal texture.
- Cooking Preparation: Preheat cooking surface, whether grill, tandoor, or skillet, to medium-high heat, ensuring chicken will develop a beautiful caramelized exterior while maintaining juicy interior.
- Protein Transformation: Grill or cook chicken until external surface turns golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked meat with a delightful charred essence.
- Sauce Integration: Transfer cooked chicken into a rich, creamy butter sauce, allowing it to simmer gently and absorb the luxurious, velvety texture characteristic of authentic Indian butter chicken.
Notes
- Optimize Marination Time: Let chicken soak in spices for at least 1 hour, but overnight marination intensifies flavors dramatically, transforming ordinary chicken into a taste sensation.
- Prevent Yogurt Curdling: Keep heat medium-low when adding yogurt-marinated chicken to prevent separation and maintain a smooth, creamy sauce texture.
- Spice Balance Matters: Adjust spice levels carefully – authentic butter chicken should have a warm, complex flavor without overwhelming heat, allowing each spice to shine.
- Protein Flexibility: Easily swap chicken with paneer or tofu for vegetarian version, ensuring marinade techniques remain identical for consistent delicious results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg