Butter chicken is a rich and creamy dish that combines tender chicken with a flavorful tomato-based sauce. This recipe is perfect for anyone who loves Indian cuisine and wants to recreate the magic of restaurant-style butter chicken at home. The process involves marinating the chicken, preparing a fragrant spice-infused sauce,...

Butter Chicken recipe
Prep Time
20min
Cook Time
30min
Total Time
50min

Ingredients

4 Servings
(1 serving = 1 portion of butter chicken)

For Marination

  • lemon lemon juice
    lemon lemon juice
    1/2
  • black pepper
    black pepper
    1dash
  • salt
    salt
    1dash

For Sauce

  • oil or butter or both
    oil or butter or both
    2tbsp
  • cardamom cardamom pods
    cardamom cardamom pods
    3
  • stick cinnamon
    stick cinnamon
    1
  • cloves
    cloves
    6clove
  • garlic
    garlic
    8clove
  • equal portion ginger
    equal portion ginger
    1
  • large onions, diced
    large onions, diced
    2
  • large tomatoes, diced
    large tomatoes, diced
    3
  • cashews
    cashews
    1/3cup
  • chillies (as per taste)
    chillies (as per taste)
    1dash
  • salt
    salt
    1dash

For Final Dish

  • butter
    butter
    2tbsp
  • salt
    salt
    1dash
  • handful kasuri methi
    handful kasuri methi
    1
  • fresh cream
    fresh cream
    1dash

How to make Butter Chicken

Marinate Chicken

  1. Step 1

    Marinate chicken with half a lemon, black pepper, and salt. Keep it aside for some time.

Prepare Sauce

  1. Step 1

    Heat oil or butter or both in a pan. Add whole spices (cardamom, cinnamon stick, cloves) and sauté until fragrant.

  2. Step 2

    Add garlic, ginger, onions, tomatoes, cashews, and chillies as per taste. Add salt and sauté for a while.

  3. Step 3

    Add very little water and cook for around 5-8 minutes until the mixture becomes mushy.

  4. Step 4

    Once the mixture cools down, blend it into a smooth paste.

Cook Chicken

  1. Step 1

    Heat butter on a tawa and roast the marinated chicken on both sides until cooked.

Combine Sauce and Chicken

  1. Step 1

    In a pan, heat butter and oil. Pour in the prepared paste and add water to adjust the consistency.

  2. Step 2

    Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, then add the roasted chicken and some salt. Cover and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

  3. Step 3

    Add fresh cream and crushed kasuri methi. Mix everything well and serve hot.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories

102.0kcal (5.1%)

Protein

1.4g (2.76%)

Carbs

1.7g (0.63%)

Sugars

0.3g (0.6%)

Healthy Fat

6.0g

Unhealthy Fat

3.9g

% Daily Value based on a 2000 calorie diet

Tips & Tricks

  1. For extra flavor, marinate the chicken overnight in the refrigerator.

  2. Adjust the spice level by adding more or fewer chillies based on your preference.

  3. Use fresh cream for a richer and creamier texture.

  4. Roasting the chicken on a tawa adds a smoky flavor to the dish.

  5. Blend the sauce thoroughly to ensure a smooth and velvety texture.

FAQS

  1. Can I use boneless chicken for this recipe?

    Yes, boneless chicken works well for butter chicken and makes it easier to eat.

  2. Can I substitute cashews with another ingredient?

    You can use almonds as a substitute for cashews, but the flavor may vary slightly.

  3. How can I make this dish spicier?

    Increase the quantity of chillies or add red chili powder to make the dish spicier.

  4. Can I make this dish dairy-free?

    You can use coconut cream instead of fresh cream and skip the butter to make it dairy-free.

  5. How long can I store butter chicken?

    Butter chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

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