Description
Creamy indian butter chicken brings luxurious spices and rich flavors from northern India to your dinner table. Marinated tender chicken simmered in velvety tomato-cream sauce promises a delightful culinary journey you will savor with every delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (or paprika for a milder heat)
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Marinade and Sauce Ingredients:
- ½ cup (120 g) plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) tomato puree
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream (or coconut milk for a dairy-free option)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for finishing)
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Whisk together yogurt, citrus essence, ground spices, and seasoning in a spacious mixing vessel to create a robust marinade.
- Submerge chicken pieces completely in the marinade, ensuring thorough coverage. Seal and refrigerate for minimum one hour, allowing flavors to penetrate deeply.
- Warm a heavy-bottomed skillet over robust heat, lightly coating with cooking oil to prevent sticking.
- Sear marinated chicken segments until exterior develops a golden-brown crust, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Chicken should remain slightly undercooked. Transfer to a temporary plate.
- Utilize the same skillet, melt butter with oil, introducing finely diced onions and caramelizing until rich amber color develops.
- Incorporate minced aromatics – garlic and ginger – releasing their intense fragrance through quick sautéing.
- Pour tomato puree, introducing complementary spices: cumin, garam masala, chili powder, and cinnamon. Allow mixture to reduce and thicken, developing complex flavor profile.
- Reintroduce partially cooked chicken into the aromatic sauce, ensuring complete coating and integration.
- Stream heavy cream into the simmering mixture, reducing heat to gentle level. Allow chicken to complete cooking and sauce to reach luxurious consistency.
- Finish with additional butter and optional sweetener, harmonizing sauce’s depth and balancing overall taste. Season judiciously.
- Scatter freshly chopped cilantro across the surface for vibrant visual and flavor enhancement.
- Present immediately alongside fragrant basmati rice or traditional bread accompaniments.
Notes
- Marinate chicken overnight for deeper, more intense flavor infusion that penetrates every fiber of the meat.
- Use full-fat yogurt to create a more tender and succulent chicken texture, preventing dryness during cooking.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt, maintaining richness while reducing calories.
- Adjust spice levels by controlling chili powder quantity – start with less and gradually increase to suit personal heat tolerance.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg