Butter Chicken Recipe

Creamy, spiced tomato sauce envelops tender chicken pieces, served with fragrant basmati rice or naan for a flavorful, comforting Indian dish. Perfect for a hearty meal.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite size pieces
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 6 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh ginger peeled and minced
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• ½ tablespoon salt
• ½ tablespoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder
• ½ cup unsalted butter divided
• 1 large yellow onion peeled and diced
• 6 cloves garlic minced
• 1 ½ tablespoons fresh ginger peeled and minced
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 ½ teaspoons ancho chili powder
• 28 ounces canned diced tomatoes
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• Fresh cilantro chopped, for garnish
• Cooked white rice for serving
• Naan bread for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the yogurt, garlic, ginger, garam masala, salt, turmeric, cumin, and chili powder until smooth. Once your mixture is well combined and fragrant, toss in the chicken pieces, ensuring every bit is well coated. Cover this flavorful mix with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge to soak up those delicious spices overnight. Patience is key here, but trust me, the flavor payoff will be worth the wait!

2. Step 2: Sear the Chicken
   Grab a large deep-sided skillet and place it over medium heat. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter, letting it gently sizzle to a golden hue. Working in batches, add the marinated chicken pieces, searing them on all sides until just cooked through. Once each batch is ready, transfer them to a plate. If your skillet needs a little more love between batches, feel free to add another dab of butter.

3. Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics
   With your skillet still warm, add the remaining butter if needed, and toss in the diced onions. Cook them for about 5 minutes until they're soft and fragrant. Make sure to scrape up any tasty bits sticking to the bottom of the skillet as the onions cook. Stir in the garlic and ginger, letting these aromatics bloom for about a minute.

4. Step 4: Spice Things Up
   Sprinkle in the garam masala, cumin, salt, coriander, and ancho chili powder, stirring them into the onion mixture. This step only requires about a minute, but be sure to enjoy the wonderful scent that fills the air as the spices toast.

5. Step 5: Simmer the Sauce
   Pour in the canned diced tomatoes, including their juices, and combine everything well. Let this mixture simmer for about 15 minutes, thickening slightly and filling your kitchen with the promise of a delicious meal.

6. Step 6: Puree the Sauce
   Once the sauce has simmered, carefully transfer it to a food processor or blender. You might need to do this in batches to avoid any hot splashes. Blend until the sauce is completely smooth, then return it to the skillet.

7. Step 7: Finish the Dish
   Now, stir in the heavy cream and sugar, creating a rich, velvety sauce. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, along with any juices that might have collected on the plate. Allow everything to simmer together for another 10-15 minutes on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. If the sauce seems a bit thick for your liking, feel free to thin it out with a splash of water or more cream.

8. Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
   Spoon the butter chicken over fluffy white rice and serve it alongside warm naan bread. For a pop of color and fresh flavor, sprinkle chopped cilantro over the top. Now, dig in and enjoy your culinary masterpiece!

Notes

Navigating through this delightful butter chicken recipe can be a breeze, but a few stumbles are common. One mistake is not marinating the chicken long enough. Flavors intensify over time, so let it soak in those spices overnight.

Another hiccup often lies in rushing the sauce. For a silky texture, puree it well, even if it means doing it in batches. This step ensures a velvety finish that's worth the extra cleanup.

Stirring too often while simmering can hinder flavor melding. Let it sit occasionally, allowing the ingredients to mingle and deepen. These small tweaks make a world of difference for a sublime butter chicken experience!