Description
Creamy Indian Butter Chicken, also known as Murgh Makhani, is a rich and flavorful dish made with tender chicken pieces simmered in a spiced tomato and butter cream sauce. It’s a classic comfort food in Indian cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 lbs (680g) boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- Salt, to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 1/2 cups tomato purée
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Cooked basmati rice or naan, for serving
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, garam masala, turmeric, chili powder, coriander, and salt. Add chicken and coat well. Marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Heat butter and oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until golden brown, about 5–7 minutes.
- Add garlic and ginger, and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add tomato purée and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In a separate pan, cook marinated chicken until browned and almost cooked through, about 5–7 minutes.
- Add the chicken to the sauce, stir, and simmer for another 10 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream and sugar, and simmer for an additional 5 minutes until the sauce is rich and creamy.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot with basmati rice or naan.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken overnight.
- You can adjust the spice level by varying the amount of chili powder.
- Use coconut cream for a dairy-free version.
- To thicken the sauce, simmer longer without a lid.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (with rice or naan)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
Keywords: butter chicken, Indian curry, creamy chicken, murgh makhani, halal chicken dish