Description
Mouthwatering butter chicken from Northern India blends tender chicken in a creamy tomato-based sauce. Spices like garam masala and kasuri methi create complex layers that will delight culinary enthusiasts who crave authentic subcontinental flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) chicken thighs or breasts, boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 4 tbsps unsalted butter
- 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) tomato sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tsps ground cumin
- 2 tsps ground coriander
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 2 tbsps lemon juice
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
- Cooked rice or naan, for serving
Instructions
- Marinade Preparation: Whisk yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, garam masala, turmeric, chili powder, cinnamon, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Chicken Marination: Completely immerse chicken pieces in the aromatic mixture, ensuring full coverage. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight to maximize flavor infusion.
- Butter Sautéing: Melt unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook until soft and translucent, approximately 4-5 minutes. Immediately incorporate minced garlic and grated ginger, allowing aromatics to release their intense flavors for 1-2 minutes.
- Chicken Cooking: Introduce marinated chicken to the skillet, searing until exterior develops a rich, golden-brown crust, rotating pieces to ensure even cooking and preventing burning.
- Sauce Development: Pour tomato sauce into the skillet, blending seamlessly with chicken and spices. Reduce heat to low, allowing the mixture to simmer and meld flavors for 15-18 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Cream Incorporation: Gently stir heavy cream into the sauce, creating a luxurious, silky texture. Continue simmering for an additional 4-5 minutes to integrate ingredients completely.
- Final Presentation: Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro leaves, serving immediately alongside steamed basmati rice or warm naan bread to capture the dish’s peak flavor and temperature.
Notes
- Marinate Wisely: Allow chicken to soak in marinade overnight for maximum flavor depth and tenderness, transforming an ordinary dish into an extraordinary culinary experience.
- Spice Balance Matters: Use fresh, high-quality spices to ensure robust and authentic flavor profile; old or stale spices can dramatically reduce the dish’s aromatic complexity.
- Cream Temperature Technique: Add cream gradually and at low heat to prevent curdling, maintaining a smooth, silky sauce that coats the chicken perfectly.
- Cooking Surface Significance: Use a heavy-bottomed skillet to distribute heat evenly, preventing burning and ensuring consistent caramelization of chicken and spices.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 780
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 860 mg
- Fat: 54 g
- Saturated Fat: 32 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg