Why You’ll Love It:
Creamy, flavorful, and rich in aromatic spices, Butter Chicken is one of India’s most beloved dishes. It’s a perfect balance of tangy tomatoes, buttery smoothness, and the warm spice of garam masala, making it irresistible for food lovers worldwide.
Origin & Fun Fact:
Butter Chicken was accidentally created in the 1950s by Kundan Lal Gujral in Delhi. He wanted to use leftover tandoori chicken and decided to cook it in a tomato-based, buttery gravy. The result was an instant hit, and now it’s a staple in Indian restaurants across the globe.
Ingredients:
For the chicken marinade:
500g boneless chicken (thighs or breast), cut into cubes
½ cup plain yogurt
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
For the butter chicken sauce:
3 tbsp butter
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 tomatoes, pureed
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
½ cup heavy cream
¼ cup cashew paste (for extra creaminess, optional)
Salt to taste
Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions:
Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, mix yogurt, lemon juice, turmeric, red chili powder, garam masala, salt, and ginger-garlic paste. Coat the chicken pieces well and let it marinate for at least 1 hour (overnight for best results).
Cook the Chicken: Heat a pan with 1 tbsp butter and cook the marinated chicken until slightly charred and cooked through. Set aside.
Prepare the Sauce: In the same pan, add remaining butter and sauté onions until golden brown. Add tomato puree, tomato paste, sugar, cumin, coriander, and garam masala. Cook until the consistency of the mixture thickens and the oil separates.
Blend the Sauce (Optional): For an extra smooth gravy, blend the cooked sauce until creamy and then return it to the pan.
Finish Cooking: Add the cooked chicken to the sauce and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
Add Cream & Cashew Paste: Stir in heavy cream and cashew paste for a rich, velvety texture.
Garnish & Serve: Sprinkle fresh cilantro on top and serve with naan or steamed basmati rice.
Pro Tip: For restaurant-style Butter Chicken, add a pinch of dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi) at the end for an extra depth of flavor.
Enjoy the rich, creamy goodness of India’s most famous curry at home!