Butter Chicken (Print Version)
Tender chicken in a rich, creamy tomato sauce with aromatic spices. Ready in under an hour.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
→ Marinade
02 - 1/2 cup plain yogurt
03 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
04 - 1 tsp ground turmeric
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp garam masala
07 - 1 tsp chili powder
08 - 1 tsp salt
→ Sauce
09 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
10 - 1 tbsp vegetable oil
11 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
12 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
13 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
14 - 1 1/2 tsp ground coriander
15 - 1 tsp paprika
16 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
17 - 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
18 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
19 - 1 tbsp sugar
20 - Salt, to taste
21 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
# How to Make It:
01 - In a large bowl, combine chicken with yogurt, lemon juice, turmeric, cumin, garam masala, chili powder, and salt. Mix thoroughly to coat all pieces, cover, and marinate for at least 10 minutes, or up to 1 hour for deeper flavor penetration.
02 - Heat 1 tbsp butter and vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken pieces and cook for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until lightly browned but not fully cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate, reserving any juices.
03 - Add remaining 1 tbsp butter to the same skillet. Sauté finely chopped onions for 3-4 minutes until soft and golden brown. Add minced garlic and grated ginger; cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
04 - Stir in ground coriander, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Toast spices for 30 seconds to release their essential oils. Pour in crushed tomatoes and sugar; simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture begins to thicken.
05 - Return seared chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Simmer for 8-10 minutes over medium heat, or until chicken is cooked through and sauce has reached a rich, coating consistency.
06 - Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream. Simmer gently for 2 minutes to meld flavors. Adjust salt seasoning to taste. The sauce should be velvety and generously coat the chicken pieces.
07 - Transfer to a serving dish and garnish generously with chopped fresh cilantro. Serve immediately while hot, accompanied by steamed basmati rice or warm naan bread for dipping.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The creamy tomato sauce balances perfectly with tender chicken in a way that feels restaurant quality but comes together in under 45 minutes
- This recipe creates those rich, complex Indian flavors that usually require cooking techniques that take years to master
02 -
- Letting the chicken marinate even briefly makes a noticeable difference in tenderness and flavor penetration
- The sauce will continue to thicken as it stands, so do not reduce it too much on the stove
03 -
- Fresh lemon juice in the marinade helps break down the muscle fibers for more tender meat
- Letting the spices bloom in the hot fat before adding liquid is the secret to restaurant depth of flavor