Unveiling the Velvet Secrets of Restaurant-Worthy Butter Chicken (At Home!)

Are you craving a comforting and flavorful curry? Look no further than this delicious butter chicken recipe! Tender chicken pieces are marinated in an aromatic blend of yogurt, spices, and lemon Juice, and then simmered in a rich and creamy tomato sauce.

This dish is perfect for a weeknight meal, yet impressive enough for guests.  With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you can create restaurant-quality butter chicken at home in under an hour.



Ingredients

• For the Marinade
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 2 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder or cayenne pepper powder (adjust to preference)
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tbsp grated ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
    
• For the Curry
  • 2 tbsp ghee or butter
  • 1 cup tomato passata (purée)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • Ginger-garlic paste (to taste)

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken

In a bowl, whisk together yogurt, lemon juice, turmeric, garam masala, chili powder, cumin, ginger, garlic, and chicken.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, or ideally 12-24 hours for maximum flavor.

Cook the Curry

Heat ghee or butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until softened and translucent.

Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a few seconds until fragrant.

Add Spices and Tomatoes

Stir in chili powder, cumin, and coriander. Cook while stirring continuously for one minute to avoid scorching. Add tomato passata, sugar, and salt.

Bring to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and becomes a deep red color.

Simmer the Chicken

Add the marinated chicken to the sauce. Pour in some hot water (about ½ cup) if the sauce is too thick.

Cover and simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

Finish the Dish

Stir in heavy cream, kasuri methi (optional, dried fenugreek leaves), and additional garam masala for more flavor (adjust to taste).

Taste and adjust seasonings with salt or sugar as needed.

Serve

Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and a dollop of cream. Enjoy your flavorful butter chicken with rice or naan!

Tips

• You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs in this recipe. Chicken thighs tend to be more flavorful due to their higher fat content.
  
• Modify the quantity of chili powder based on your desired level of spiciness
  
• Kasuri methi adds a unique depth of flavor to the dish, but it’s optional.
  
• Serve butter chicken with steamed basmati rice, jeera rice (cumin rice), or butter naan for a complete meal.