Print

Butter Chicken: My 1 Secret for a Divine Dinner

Butter Chicken
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Discover how to make a delicious and easy homemade butter chicken recipe, a vibrant and deeply satisfying Indian chicken curry. This creamy tomato chicken dish, also known as Murgh Makhani, features tender chicken in a lusciously creamy tomato-based sauce, perfectly spiced for an ultimate comfort food experience. It’s the best butter chicken recipe at home for beginners, offering restaurant-style butter chicken with authentic flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Chicken Marinade:
  • 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup plain whole milk yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  • For the Delicious Butter Chicken Sauce:
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked in hot water for 15 minutes
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves (Kasuri Methi), crushed
  • Salt to taste
  • For Garnish (Optional):
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Extra heavy cream, for drizzling
  • A pat of butter

Instructions

  1. Phase 1: Marinating the Chicken for Maximum Flavor
  2. Prepare Your Chicken: Cut boneless, skinless chicken thighs into uniform 1-inch pieces. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
  3. Mix the Marinade Magic: In a large bowl, combine plain yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric powder, garam masala, salt, fresh lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon cooking oil. Stir well until combined.
  4. Coat and Conquer: Add the cut chicken pieces to the bowl with the marinade. Mix thoroughly, ensuring every piece is completely coated.
  5. The Waiting Game: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally 2-4 hours, or even overnight for deeper flavors and more tender chicken.
  6. Phase 2: Crafting the Silky-Smooth Sauce Base
  7. Soak Those Cashews: Place raw cashews in a small bowl, cover with hot water, and let soak for at least 15 minutes.
  8. Sauté the Aromatics: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 8-10 minutes until translucent and lightly caramelized.
  9. Build the Flavor Foundation: Add 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger-garlic paste to the pot. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  10. Introduce the Tomatoes and Spices: Pour in crushed tomatoes. Stir in red chili powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric powder, garam masala, and optional ground cardamom. Cook for another 5-7 minutes until oil separates from the tomato mixture.
  11. Add Cashews and Simmer: Drain soaked cashews and add them to the pot. Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth or water. Stir, bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 10-15 minutes.
  12. Blend to Perfection: Carefully transfer the sauce mixture to a high-speed blender. Blend until absolutely smooth and creamy. For an ultra-silky restaurant-style butter chicken, pass the blended sauce through a fine-mesh sieve.
  13. Phase 3: Cooking the Chicken and Assembling the Dish
  14. Cook the Marinated Chicken: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter (or oil) in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for 3-5 minutes per side until nicely browned. Remove and set aside.
  15. Combine and Simmer: Pour the smooth, blended sauce back into the pot. Add the cooked chicken pieces. Stir gently to combine.
  16. Let Flavors Mingle: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for another 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the chicken to finish cooking and flavors to meld. This is key for a delicious butter chicken.
  17. Phase 4: Finishing Touches and Serving Your Delicious Butter Chicken
  18. The Creamy Indulgence: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the heavy cream.
  19. The Secret Ingredient – Kasuri Methi: Crush dried fenugreek leaves (Kasuri Methi) between your palms and add to the sauce. Stir well.
  20. Sweetness and Salt: Stir in honey or sugar. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
  21. Serve with Joy: Ladle generous portions into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro, an optional drizzle of extra heavy cream, and a small pat of butter. Serve this incredible homemade butter chicken with warm basmati rice or naan.

Notes

  • Using chicken thighs ensures the meat stays juicy and tender in this Indian chicken curry.
  • Marinating the chicken for a longer period (overnight) significantly enhances the flavor and tenderness of your butter chicken.
  • Soaking cashews is crucial for achieving a perfectly smooth and creamy sauce for this Murgh Makhani recipe.
  • The ‘bhunao’ process (cooking tomatoes and spices until oil separates) is vital for developing a deep, complex flavor in the butter chicken sauce.
  • Blending the sauce until ultra-smooth is key for a restaurant-quality butter chicken experience.
  • Adding heavy cream off the heat prevents it from splitting and maintains a luscious texture.
  • Kasuri Methi (dried fenugreek leaves) is a secret ingredient that imparts an authentic and distinctive flavor to butter chicken.
  • Honey or sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes and enhances the overall depth of flavor in this creamy tomato chicken dish.
  • This butter chicken recipe is adaptable; feel free to adjust spice levels or explore vegetarian options using paneer or chickpeas.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://quizsavor.com/butter-chicken-divine-dinner-secret/

×