indian butter chicken

How To Cook/Prepare Indian Butter Chicken

by
Asia CuisineDinnerMediterranean CuisineRecipesWorld Cuisines

Origin:
Butter Chicken, or Murgh Makhani, is a beloved North Indian dish that originated in Delhi during the 1950s. Developed by chefs in the Punjabi community, it was created as a way to repurpose leftover tandoori chicken in a rich, creamy tomato sauce. The dish embodies the Indian culinary philosophy of balancing spices, cream, and tangy flavors to create a sumptuous, comforting meal.

Ingredients

  • Servings: 4
    Preparation Time: 1 hour

    Ingredients:

    • 1 lb boneless chicken, cut into chunks
    • 1 cup plain yogurt
    • 1 tbsp lemon juice
    • 2 tsp garam masala
    • 1 tsp turmeric
    • 2 tbsp butter
    • 1 large onion, finely chopped
    • 3 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 tbsp grated ginger
    • 1 can (14 oz) tomato puree
    • 1/2 cup heavy cream
    • 1 tsp ground cumin
    • 1 tsp chili powder (adjust for heat)
    • Salt to taste
    • Fresh cilantro for garnish
    • 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions:

  1. Marinate the Chicken:
    • In a bowl, combine chicken, yogurt, lemon juice, 1 tsp garam masala, and turmeric. Marinate for at least 1 hour (preferably overnight in the refrigerator).
  2. Cook the Chicken:
    • In a large pan, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Remove chicken from marinade (discard excess marinade) and sear until lightly browned. Set aside.
  3. Prepare the Sauce:
    • In the same pan, melt butter and sauté the chopped onion until golden brown (about 5 minutes). Add garlic and ginger, cooking for an additional 2 minutes.
  4. Simmer:
    • Pour in the tomato puree, cumin, chili powder, and remaining garam masala. Simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  5. Combine & Finish:
    • Return the chicken to the pan and stir in the heavy cream. Simmer gently for another 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is velvety.
  6. Serve:
    • Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot with naan or basmati rice.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

  • Calories: ~650 kcal
  • Protein: ~38g
  • Carbohydrates: ~25g
  • Fats: ~35g
  • Fiber: ~3g

Benefits

  • Rich in protein and essential vitamins from chicken.
  • Tomatoes provide antioxidants like lycopene.
  • Spices offer anti-inflammatory properties and boost metabolism.

Tips

  • Tips for the best Indian butter chicken:

    • For a smoother sauce, blend the tomato mixture before adding the cream.
    • Adjust chili powder based on your preferred spice level.
    • Serve with a side of cucumber raita for a cooling contrast.
Tags: No tags

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *