Description
Mastering Butter Chicken reveals complex flavors from Northern India’s culinary landscape. Rich tomato-cream sauce and tender marinated chicken create a memorable dining experience you’ll savor with pure delight.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup (120 g) plain yogurt
- 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) 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)
- 2 tsps ground cumin
- 2 tsps ground coriander
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp chili powder (or paprika for a milder heat)
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Marinate: Combine yogurt, citrus essence, ground spices, and seasoning in a large bowl. Submerge chicken pieces completely, ensuring thorough coverage. Refrigerate for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld.
- Sear Chicken: Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet over high heat with a light oil coating. Sear marinated chicken segments until golden-brown, about 3-4 minutes per side, keeping slightly undercooked. Remove and set aside.
- Build Sauce Base: In the same skillet, melt butter with oil. Caramelize onions until rich amber, then quickly sauté minced garlic and ginger to release their aromatic essence.
- Develop Flavor Profile: Add tomato puree and spices (cumin, garam masala, chili powder, cinnamon). Reduce and thicken the mixture, creating a complex sauce foundation.
- Integrate and Simmer: Return chicken to the skillet, coating thoroughly in the aromatic sauce. Stream in heavy cream, reducing heat to low. Allow chicken to complete cooking and sauce to reach a luxurious, velvety consistency.
- Finalize and Garnish: Incorporate additional butter and optional sweetener to balance flavors. Season carefully. Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro across the surface for a vibrant finish.
- Serve: Present immediately alongside basmati rice or traditional bread, ensuring the dish is piping hot and fragrant.
Notes
- Marinate Perfectly: Allow chicken to soak in yogurt mixture for at least 2-4 hours or overnight for deeper, more intense flavor penetration and tender meat texture.
- Control Cooking Temperature: Maintain medium-high heat while searing chicken to achieve golden-brown exterior without burning, creating delicious caramelized crust while keeping interior moist.
- Cream Consistency Matters: Add cream gradually and simmer on low heat to prevent sauce from splitting or becoming grainy, ensuring smooth, silky butter chicken sauce.
- Customize Spice Levels: Adjust chili powder and garam masala according to personal heat tolerance, using mild alternatives for sensitive palates or increasing spice for adventurous eaters.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 529
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 786 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 126 mg