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Delicious Indian Butter Chicken served with naan and rice
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Indian Butter Chicken

A creamy, flavorful dish with tender chicken in a silky tomato sauce, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: Butter Chicken, comfort food, Creamy Chicken, Easy Dinner, Indian Cuisine
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 320kcal

Ingredients

For the marinade

  • 1 lb boneless chicken breast, cut into cubes
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • to taste Salt

For cooking

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 cup tomato puree
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • to taste Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Instructions

Marinating the Chicken

  • In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, garam masala, coriander, turmeric, and a pinch of salt. Add the chicken cubes, ensuring they are well-coated. Let this marinade work its magic for at least 15 minutes.

Sautéing the Aromatics

  • Heat the butter and vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. As the butter melts and sizzles, add the finely chopped onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté these aromatic ingredients until the onions turn a lovely golden brown.

Cooking the Chicken

  • Add the marinated chicken to the skillet, cooking for about 5 minutes while stirring occasionally to ensure the chicken cooks evenly and absorbs the aromatic flavors.

Adding the Tomato Puree

  • Pour in the tomato puree and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Allow it to cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld the spices beautifully with the chicken.

Finishing with Cream

  • Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes for the flavors to fully integrate.

Finishing Touches

  • Taste your dish and add salt as necessary for perfect seasoning.

Garnishing and Serving

  • Before serving, sprinkle the dish with fresh cilantro and enjoy warm, alongside steamed rice or naan.

Notes

For a more tender chicken, marinate for a few hours or overnight. Adjust spices for heat preference. Consider adding nuts like cashews for texture and flavor. Use coconut milk or Greek yogurt as lighter cream substitutes. For a vegetarian option, substitute chicken with paneer or vegetables.