Make Your Very Own Butter Chicken

butter chicken dish

Butter chicken, also known as murgh makhani, is a classic Indian dish of chicken cooked in a creamy tomato-butter sauce. It’s an all-time favorite dish both in India and around the world. The roots of the dish can be traced back to the early 1950s in the Indian city of Delhi.

It is said that the dish was created by Kundan Lal Gujral, the owner of the Moti Mahal restaurant. Gujral was looking for a way to use up leftover tandoori chicken, so he created a thick and creamy sauce made from tomato puree, butter, cream and spices. The dish was an instant hit and is now enjoyed all over the world.

Recipe for Making a Great Butter Chicken

Ingredients:

-2 lbs of boneless chicken
-3 tablespoons of garlic paste
-3 tablespoons of ginger paste
-1 cup of plain yoghurt
-2 tablespoons of garam masala
-2 tablespoons of ground cumin
-1 teaspoon of ground cardamom
-3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
-2 tablespoons of butter
-1 onion, finely chopped
-1 cinnamon stick
-2 bay leaves
-2 cups of tomato puree
-1 cup of heavy cream
-2 tablespoons of sugar
-Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Kitchen Equipment Needed:

-Large bowl
-Whisk
-Large pot
-Wooden spoon
-Colander

Cooking Time:

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes

Cooking Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, garlic paste, ginger paste, yoghurt, garam masala, cumin, and cardamom. Mix the ingredients together and let the chicken marinate for at least an hour.
  2. Heat the oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves and cook for 5 minutes until the onion is soft and fragrant.
  3. Add the marinated chicken to the pot and stir to combine. Cook for 10 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
  4. Add the tomato puree, cream, and sugar and stir to combine. Simmer for 20 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
  5. Serve the butter chicken with rice, naan bread, and fresh coriander leaves.

How to Make it Spicy:

If you want to make your butter chicken spicy, you can add more garam masala, cumin, and chili powder to the marinade. You can also add some cayenne pepper or red chili flakes to the sauce while it’s simmering.

Garnishes and Sides:

The perfect accompaniments to butter chicken are chutneys, onions, and cucumber raita. To garnish, you can sprinkle some fresh coriander leaves or top it with some crispy fried onions. Serve it with naan bread or basmati rice for a complete meal.

Need other meal ideas? Find a great dish recipe to make.

This Butter Chicken Is Sure To Be A Hit With The Whole Family

indian butter chicken

Butter chicken is a classic Indian dish that has been enjoyed for many years. The origin of this beloved recipe is said to have been created by an Indian chef named Kundan Lal Gujral in the 1950s. The unique blend of ingredients, which includes marinated chicken cooked in a creamy sauce of butter, tomato, and spices, made it a popular dish among locals.

Through the years, the dish has become a staple in many Indian restaurants around the world. It is one of the most popular Indian dishes and has been adapted to suit many different tastes. It is also a great dish for those who may not be very familiar with Indian cuisine, as it is a mild dish that is easy to enjoy.

Making a Great Butter Chicken at Home

Butter chicken is a delicious dish that can easily be made at home. Here is a great recipe for making a delicious butter chicken in your own kitchen.

Butter Chicken Key Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds of chicken thighs, cut into cubes
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup of butter
  • 1 cup of diced onion
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon of ginger, grated
  • 1 can of diced tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon of garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon of cumin
  • 1 teaspoon of coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup of heavy cream

Kitchen Equipment:

  • Large skillet
  • Wooden spoon
  • Knife
  • Cutting board

Cook Time:

  • 20-30 minutes

Cooking Instructions:

  1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the chicken cubes to the skillet and cook until they are golden brown, about 8 minutes.
  3. Add the butter, onion, garlic and ginger to the skillet and cook until the onions are soft, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add the tomatoes, garam masala, cumin, coriander, chili powder, turmeric, salt, and pepper and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
  5. Reduce the heat to low, add the cream and simmer for 5 minutes.
  6. Serve the butter chicken with rice, naan, or your favorite side dish.

Optional Spicy Twist:

For those who like a little more spice, you can add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the skillet when cooking the tomatoes and spices. This will give the butter chicken an extra kick of flavor.

Twist on a Classic Dish:

For those looking to make a twist on the classic butter chicken dish, try substituting the chicken for a different protein such as shrimp, tofu or tempeh. You can also add some vegetables such as bell peppers or mushrooms. This will give the dish a unique twist and make it a great vegetarian or vegan option.

Garnishes:

For a final touch, top the butter chicken with some chopped cilantro, diced onion, and a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream. This will add a nice contrast in flavors and make the dish even more delicious.

Butter chicken is a classic Indian dish that is enjoyed by many people around the world. This recipe is easy to make at home and is sure to be a crowd pleaser. With the addition of a few spices, vegetables, or proteins, you can easily make a unique twist on the traditional dish.

Looking for other new and interesting dishes to try at home? Find a great recipe you can create in your own kitchen.