Description
Succulent Butter Chicken brings classic Indian cuisine straight to home kitchens with rich, velvety sauce and tender marinated chicken. Spice-infused flavors and smooth tomato cream create an irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground garam masala
- 1 teaspoon salt
Marinade Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) lemon juice
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant marinade by whisking yogurt, aromatic spices, lemon juice, and salt in a spacious mixing vessel. Thoroughly coat chicken pieces, ensuring each morsel is generously covered. Refrigerate for minimum 1 hour, allowing flavors to penetrate deeply.
- Melt butter in a substantial skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully transfer marinated chicken, cooking until exterior turns golden brown and interior reaches perfect doneness, approximately 6-8 minutes. Extract chicken and reserve momentarily.
- Utilize identical skillet, introducing remaining butter. Caramelize onions until translucent and rich amber, roughly 5 minutes. Incorporate minced garlic and ginger, releasing their intense aromatics for 1-2 minutes.
- Pour crushed tomatoes and heavy cream into the skillet. Sprinkle cumin, coriander, paprika, garam masala, and optional chili powder. Allow sauce to simmer and reduce, creating a luxurious consistency over 10-15 minutes.
- Reintroduce cooked chicken into the velvety sauce, gently folding to ensure complete coverage. Let mixture harmonize for additional 5 minutes, allowing flavors to intensify.
- Elevate presentation by scattering fresh cilantro atop the dish. Accompany with steamed basmati rice or warm, pillowy naan bread for an authentic culinary experience.
Notes
- Enhance marinade depth by adding yogurt with higher fat content for extra tenderness and richness.
- Create dairy-free version by substituting heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for similar creamy texture.
- Balance spice levels by adjusting chili powder quantity based on personal heat tolerance, ensuring consistent flavor profile.
- Maximize flavor development through longer marination time, ideally 8-12 hours, allowing spices to fully penetrate chicken meat.
- Prep Time: 1 hour (marinating)
- Cook Time: 27–35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg