Introduction

1.    Butter chicken is a popular Indian dish that consists of tender pieces of chicken cooked in a rich and creamy tomato-based sauce. It is also known as chicken makhani, which means chicken with butter. Butter chicken originated in Delhi in the 1930s, when a chef named Kundan Lal Gujral created it to use up the leftover tandoori chicken from his restaurant. He added butter, cream, tomatoes and spices to make a delicious gravy that enhanced the flavor of the dry chicken. Since then, butter chicken has become one of the most loved dishes in Indian cuisine and beyond. In this blog, I will show you how to make butter chicken at home with simple ingredients and easy steps.

Ingredients of Butter Chicken

2.    To cook an authentic Butter Chicken, you need a carefully selected blend of ingredients that infuse the dish with its distinctive taste. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:

Chicken: You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts. Cut them into bite-sized pieces and marinate them with yogurt, ginger, garlic and spices. This will make the chicken tender and flavorful.

Butter: You will need butter to cook the onion, garlic, ginger and spices, as well as to finish the sauce. Butter adds richness and depth to the dish. You can use ghee (clarified butter) or a combination of butter and oil if you prefer.

Onion: You will need one large onion, sliced thinly. Onion adds sweetness and texture to the sauce.

Garlic and ginger: You will need fresh garlic and ginger, finely grated or minced. They add aroma and spice to the dish.

Tomato: You will need tomato passata (puree) or canned tomatoes, blended until smooth. Tomato is the base of the sauce and gives it a bright color and tangy flavor.

Cream: You will need heavy cream or thickened cream to add to the sauce at the end. Cream makes the sauce smooth and creamy and balances the acidity of the tomato.

Sugar: You will need a little sugar to sweeten the sauce and enhance the flavor of the tomato.

Salt: You will need salt to season the chicken and the sauce. Adjust the amount according to your taste.

Spices: You will need a variety of spices to make the dish aromatic and flavorful. The main spices are turmeric, garam masala, cayenne pepper, cumin and fenugreek. You can also add bay leaves, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick and clove for extra flavor.

Ingredients Quantity

3.    Here is the quantity of each ingredient you will need to make butter chicken for 4 to 6 servings:

• 1/2 cup plain yogurt (full fat)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder (or chili powder)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon ginger (freshly grated)
• 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
• 1 1/2 pounds chicken thigh fillets (cut into bite size pieces)
• 2 tablespoons butter (or ghee, or 1 tablespoon vegetable oil)
• 1 cup tomato passata (or puree)
• 1 cup heavy cream (or thickened cream)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 green cardamom pods (cracked)
• 1 inch cinnamon stick
• 1 whole clove
• 1 large onion (sliced)
• Cilantro leaves and tender stems (chopped, for serving)

Butter Chicken Recipe

4.    Here are the steps to make butter chicken:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, turmeric, garam masala, cayenne pepper, cumin, ginger and garlic. Add the chicken pieces and toss to coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes or up to overnight.

• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the bay leaves, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick and clove and fry for a few seconds until fragrant. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden, about 15 to 20 minutes.

• Add the tomato passata, cream, sugar and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 10 to 15 minutes.

• While the sauce is simmering, heat a grill pan or a broiler over high heat. Shake off the excess marinade from the chicken pieces and grill or broil them, turning once, until charred and cooked through, about 10 to 15 minutes.

• Transfer the chicken pieces to the sauce and simmer for another 10 minutes, until the flavors are well combined. Discard the bay leaves, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick and clove. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and serve hot.

Accompaniments with Butter Chicken

5.    You can serve butter chicken with any of the following accompaniments:

• Basmati rice: This is the classic and most common accompaniment for butter chicken. Basmati rice is a long-grained, fragrant rice that goes well with the rich and creamy sauce. You can cook it with some salt, butter and water, or add some spices and herbs for extra flavor.

• Naan bread: This is a soft and fluffy flatbread that is cooked in a tandoor or a hot skillet. Naan bread is perfect for scooping up the sauce and the chicken. You can make it plain or with some garlic, butter, cheese or herbs.

• Roti, chapati or paratha: These are other types of flatbread that are made with whole wheat flour and cooked on a griddle. They are thinner and crispier than naan bread and can also be used to enjoy the butter chicken.

• Salad: You can serve a simple salad of lettuce, cucumber, tomato and onion with some lemon juice and salt to add some freshness and crunch to the meal. You can also add some yogurt or raita (a yogurt-based sauce with herbs and spices) to the salad for some creaminess and tanginess.

Conclusion

6.    Butter chicken is a delicious and satisfying dish that can be enjoyed by everyone. It is easy to make at home with simple ingredients and steps. You can adjust the spice level and the consistency of the sauce to your liking. You can also make it ahead and reheat it before serving. It freezes well too, so you can store the leftovers for another day. Try this recipe and enjoy the authentic taste of butter chicken at home.