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Classic Butter Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 106 reviews

Classic Butter Chicken is a rich and creamy Indian dish featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a buttery tomato cream sauce infused with aromatic spices. It’s a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for pairing with naan or rice.

Ingredients

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Chicken and Marinade

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

Butter Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and set aside. Optionally, marinate the chicken in a mixture of some spices and yogurt for 30 minutes for more tenderness.
  2. Sauté aromatics: In a large skillet or pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Cook the spices: Add garam masala, cumin, chili powder, turmeric, and smoked paprika to the pan. Stir continuously to toast the spices for about 1 minute to deepen their flavor.
  4. Cook the chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the pan and cook until they are no longer pink on the outside, about 5-7 minutes. Stir frequently to coat chicken evenly with the spices and butter.
  5. Add tomato sauce and simmer: Pour in the tomato sauce, stir to combine, and reduce heat to low. Let the mixture simmer gently for 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Finish with cream: Stir in the heavy cream and allow the sauce to cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust salt to taste.
  7. Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, garnish with fresh cilantro if desired, and serve hot with basmati rice or naan bread.

Notes

  • For added depth, marinate the chicken with yogurt and spices for 30 minutes before cooking.
  • Butter chicken is typically mildly spiced; adjust chili powder according to your heat preference.
  • The dish can be prepared with chicken breasts but thighs provide more tenderness and flavor.
  • Use fresh cream for best richness; light cream will reduce the richness slightly.
  • Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop.

Keywords: Butter chicken, Indian butter chicken recipe, creamy chicken curry, easy butter chicken, Indian cuisine, chicken curry

Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/classic-butter-chicken-recipe/