Description
Irresistible butter chicken delights taste buds with its rich, creamy sauce and tender chicken. North Indian cuisine shines through complex spices and smooth tomato gravy that invites passionate home cooks to savor each memorable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 tbsps unsalted butter
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes or tomato puree
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- chili powder (to taste)
- salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Infuse chicken pieces with a blend of yogurt and aromatic spices, allowing the marinade to tenderize and flavor the meat for a minimum of 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and expertly sear the marinated chicken until it develops a rich, golden-brown exterior, creating a delectable caramelized surface. Transfer the partially cooked chicken to a separate plate.
- In the same skillet, gently sauté finely chopped onions, minced garlic, and grated ginger until they release their fragrant essence and become translucent.
- Pour crushed tomatoes into the skillet, incorporating the remaining spices. Reduce heat and let the mixture simmer for approximately 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and concentrate.
- Carefully reintroduce the seared chicken into the tomato-spice sauce, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Continue simmering until the chicken reaches complete doneness and becomes incredibly tender.
- Finish the dish by stirring in luxurious heavy cream, which will create a velvety, smooth texture. Taste and fine-tune the seasoning with additional salt or spices as needed before serving hot.
Notes
- Marinate chicken longer for deeper flavor penetration, ideally overnight in the refrigerator for maximum taste absorption.
- Use full-fat yogurt to ensure tender, juicy chicken that doesn’t dry out during cooking.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt to reduce calories while maintaining creamy texture.
- Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing garam masala and red chili powder according to personal heat tolerance.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 386 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg