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Butter Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 88 reviews

This Butter Chicken recipe is a flavorful and creamy Indian classic made with marinated chicken breast cooked in a spiced tomato sauce enriched with cream and butter. Perfectly balanced with garam masala and a hint of cayenne, the dish offers a mild yet aromatic heat. Serve it over rice with garlic naan bread for a comforting and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

  • 1 1/2 lbs chicken breast meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
  • 2 tsp garam masala seasoning
  • 1 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Cooking

  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 8 oz tomato sauce (or tomato passata/canned pureed tomatoes)
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • Cilantro leaves for garnish
  • Garlic naan bread, for serving

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: Combine the Greek yogurt, minced garlic, grated ginger, garam masala, turmeric powder, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice in a bowl. Add the chicken pieces and mix well to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour, up to 24 hours for best flavor.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large fry pan or wok over high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chicken turns white all over but does not brown due to the marinade.
  3. Add Tomato Sauce and Simmer: Stir in the tomato sauce, sugar, and salt. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. The sauce will thicken and reduce during this time.
  4. Finish the Sauce: Taste and adjust salt if necessary. Pour in the heavy cream and simmer for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to blend and sauce to become rich and creamy. Remove from heat.
  5. Add Butter and Garnish: Stir in the butter until melted and incorporated into the sauce. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and an optional pinch of garam masala for extra aroma.
  6. Serve: Serve hot over cooked rice and alongside garlic naan bread for a complete traditional meal.

Notes

  • Chicken breast, chicken tender strips, or thigh fillets can be used, cut into bite-sized pieces.
  • Adjust the amount of garam masala according to your preferred heat level; this recipe is flavorful more than spicy.
  • Tomato sauce can be substituted with tomato passata or pureed canned tomatoes for a smoother or chunkier texture.
  • Frozen baked naan bread is convenient and available at most supermarkets or stores like Trader Joe’s.

Keywords: Butter Chicken, Indian Butter Chicken, Chicken Curry, Creamy Chicken, Indian Cuisine, Garam Masala, Chicken Breast Recipe

Find it online: https://tastemadebyclara.com/butter-chicken-recipe/