Indian Butter Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade
Boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces115 g
For the Butter Chicken Sauce:
Large onion, finely chopped30 g
Fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves, for garnish
Nutrition Information
-
450 kcal
Calories
-
25 g
Protein
-
20 g
Carbohydrates
-
30 g
Fat
-
3 g
Fiber
-
8 g
Sugar
-
600 mg
Sodium
Instructions
In a bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, turmeric, cumin, coriander, garam masala, chili powder, garlic, and ginger. Add chicken pieces and coat thoroughly. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight for maximum flavor.
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Heat a grill pan or large skillet over medium-high heat and lightly oil the surface. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes until fully cooked and slightly charred. Remove from heat and set aside.
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In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add salt, garlic and ginger, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, and chili powder. Cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly.
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Add pureed tomatoes to the pot and stir to combine with the spices. Simmer for 15 minutes to let the flavors develop.
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Remove the sauce from heat and blend until smooth, either in a blender or with an immersion blender. Return the sauce to the pot, reduce heat to low, and stir in heavy cream. Season with salt to taste.
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Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve warm with basmati rice or naan.
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Tips and Substitutions
- Substitute coconut cream for a rich, dairy-free version.
- No garam masala? Use a blend of cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
- Best served with steamed basmati rice or warm naan bread.