Description
Creamy Indian Butter Chicken is a rich and flavorful dish that brings the best of Indian cuisine right to your table. With tender chicken simmered in a creamy tomato sauce, this dish is a true comfort food classic. Serve it over rice or with naan for a complete and satisfying meal!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground garam masala
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional, for extra heat)
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, lemon juice, ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, turmeric, garam masala, and salt.
- Add the chicken pieces and coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for more flavor.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the marinated chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Sauté the onion until softened and golden brown, about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and ginger, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, garam masala, and chili powder if using. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce:
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat with the sauce. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to heat through.
- Serve:
- Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro. Serve the butter chicken over steamed rice or with warm naan bread.
Notes
- Adjust the chili powder according to your heat preference.
- For a richer sauce, you can add a bit more heavy cream or a dollop of butter before serving.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
