Description
A luscious, creamy butter chicken made with tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich, velvety tomato-garlic sauce, infused with aromatic Indian spices. Perfect for a comforting dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt (optional, for marinating)
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- 1. In a bowl, combine chicken pieces with yogurt (if using), a pinch of salt, and 1/2 tsp turmeric. Let marinate for 15-30 minutes.
- 2. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- 3. In the same pot, add remaining butter. Sauté onion until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and ginger; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 4. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, cumin, coriander, garam masala, remaining turmeric, chili powder, and salt. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens.
- 5. Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and mix until smooth. Return chicken to the pot, along with any accumulated juices. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and tender.
- 6. Stir in lemon juice and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve hot with basmati rice or naan.
Notes
For extra richness, substitute half of the cream with cashew cream. To make it dairy-free, use coconut cream and vegan butter. Adjust chili powder to control spice level.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Method: Main Course
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Calories: 585 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Fat: 42 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Protein: 38 g