Butter Chicken Recipe (Indian Chicken Murgh Makhani)

Butter Chicken, also called Murgh Makhani, is a creamy, mildly spiced, and delicious Indian chicken curry. This non-veg recipe is made with marinated chicken cooked in a tomato-based gravy with butter and cream. Butter Chicken is a popular Indian dish served in restaurants and homes. If you’re wondering how to make Butter Chicken at home, this step-by-step recipe will guide you through the cooking process from marinating the chicken pieces to preparing the creamy makhani gravy for butter chicken. If you are looking for a healthy Indian recipe, you can make a lighter version of this dish by reducing the amount of butter and cream while keeping the authentic flavors intact. This easy-to-follow chicken recipe is perfect for beginners who want to try making a restaurant-style Indian curry at home.

Ingredients You Will Need

• 500 grams boneless chicken (cut into medium-sized pieces)
• ½ cup thick yogurt
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon oil
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 large onion (finely chopped)
• 2 tomatoes (pureed)
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 tablespoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
• ½ teaspoon sugar (optional)
• Salt to taste

Butter Chicken Recipe Step-by-Step Instructions

Marinating the Chicken

1. Take a large bowl and add the fresh chicken pieces to it. Ensure the chicken is cut into chunks for easy cooking and even marination.

2. Now add these ingredients for marination:

• 1 cup of yogurt
• 1 tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon of red chili powder
• ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon of garam masala
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon of oil
• 1 tsp salt

Mix everything well to coat the chicken evenly with the marinade.

3. After coating all the chicken pieces well with the marinade, cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate for at least 1 hour. For enhanced flavor, refrigerate it overnight if you have time.

Cooking the Chicken

4. Heat a pan or grill pan on medium heat and add a little oil.

5. Once the pan is hot, place the marinated chicken pieces in the pan and cook for about 6-8 minutes on each side. Cook until the chicken turns golden brown and is cooked through.

6. Make sure the chicken is cooked through, then remove it from the pan and set it aside.

Preparing the Butter Chicken Gravy

7. To prepare the butter chicken gravy, start by adding 2 tablespoons of butter to the same pan and let it melt on low heat, making sure the butter doesn’t burn.

8. When the butter is melted, add the chopped onions and sauté them for 4-5 minutes until they turn soft and light golden brown.

9. Add 2 chopped tomatoes, 1 tsp of red chili powder, salt to taste, 1 tsp of sugar (if using), and 1 tsp of garam masala to the pan.

10. Add chopped coriander leaves, 1 tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste, and a handful of cashews (about 10-12) to the pan.

11. Mix everything well and cook on medium heat for about 5-7 minutes until the mixture thickens and the oil starts separating from the sides.

12. After thoroughly mixing, the butter chicken gravy is now ready, looking rich and delicious, just like this. It’s perfectly thickened, well-cooked, ready to be combined with the cooked chicken.

Blend the Cooked Vegetables into a Smooth Gravy

13. Once the tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, and spices are cooked and softened, allow the mixture to cool slightly. Transfer it to a blender and blend until you get a smooth, creamy paste. This forms the rich base of your butter chicken gravy.

14. Now, pour the blended gravy back into the pan.

15. Add the marinated chicken pieces on top of the gravy. Stir well to coat the chicken pieces evenly in the flavorful sauce.

Finishing the Dish

16. After mixing the cooked chicken pieces into the gravy and pour in ½ cup of heavy cream, stirring continuously to create a smooth and creamy sauce. Let the butter chicken simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes so that all the flavors blend together.

17. Crush the kasuri methi between your palms and sprinkle it into the curry. Stir again to evenly distribute the flavor to your butter chicken.

18. After the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce is rich and creamy, turn off the heat and garnish with some extra cream and chopped coriander leaves. This adds freshness and richness to butter chicken.

Serve Butter Chicken

19. Serve hot with naan, roti, or steamed basmati rice for a delicious meal. Enjoy your homemade Butter Chicken, and savor the rich, creamy flavors!

5 Delicious Butter Chicken Variations You Can Try

1. Classic Butter Chicken – You can add extra cream and butter for a richer, restaurant-style flavor.
2. Butter Chicken Wings – You can add crispy fried or grilled wings instead of boneless chicken for a unique twist.
3. Butter Chicken Biryani – You can add layers of fragrant basmati rice to butter chicken for a fusion biryani.
4. Butter Chicken Pasta – You can add cooked pasta to the creamy butter chicken sauce for an Indo-Italian dish.
5. Butter Chicken Pizza – You can add shredded butter chicken as a topping for a delicious fusion pizza.

FAQs

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