To make butter chicken, follow these key steps:
Ingredients
- Boneless chicken (thighs or breasts), about 500g
- Lemon juice, salt, Kashmiri red chili powder or paprika, garam masala, kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves), turmeric, cumin powder, coriander powder
- Ginger garlic paste
- Greek yogurt or hung curd
- Butter and oil
- Whole spices (optional): cinnamon, cloves, cardamom
- Tomato puree or passata
- Cashew cream or heavy cream
- Water
- Fresh cilantro or mint for garnish
Preparation
1. Marinate the Chicken:
- Pat dry chicken pieces.
- Season with lemon juice, salt, and chili powder; rest 20 minutes.
- Add ginger garlic paste, garam masala, cumin, coriander, kasuri methi, turmeric, and yogurt.
- Mix well, cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours (up to 48 hours for best tenderness)
2. Cook the Chicken:
- Brown the marinated chicken in a pan with some oil and butter until golden
- Alternatively, bake chicken seasoned with tandoori masala at 375°F for about 12 minutes until cooked through
3. Make the Butter Chicken Sauce:
- Heat butter in a pan; add whole spices (cinnamon, cloves, cardamom) if using.
- Add ginger garlic paste and green chilies; sauté until fragrant.
- Turn off heat; stir in red chili powder, garam masala, cumin, and coriander powder.
- Add tomato puree; bring to a boil, then simmer until thickened (12-15 minutes).
- Stir in cashew cream or heavy cream (add cream at the end if substituting for cashews).
- Add hot water and simmer until sauce thickens and butter/oil separates on top
4. Combine:
- Add cooked chicken to the sauce.
- Simmer for a few minutes to blend flavors
5. Serve:
- Garnish with fresh cilantro, mint, or parsley.
- Serve hot with basmati rice or naan bread
This method balances authentic flavors with practical steps for home cooking, resulting in a creamy, flavorful butter chicken
Summary Table of Key Steps
Step| Action
---|---
Marinate| Chicken with spices, yogurt, lemon juice
Cook Chicken| Brown in pan or bake
Prepare Sauce| Sauté spices, add tomato puree, simmer
Add Cream & Water| Stir in cream and water, simmer
Combine & Simmer| Add chicken to sauce, simmer briefly
Serve| Garnish and serve with rice or naan
This recipe yields a rich, creamy, mildly spiced butter chicken suitable for family meals
