Butter Chicken
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
25 mins
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Total Time
35 mins
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Servings
3 - 4
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Calories
402 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Indian
Butter Chicken
Description
This recipe begins by marinating bite-sized chicken thigh pieces in a mixture of yogurt, lemon juice, turmeric, garam masala, chili or cayenne powder, cumin, ginger, and garlic. The yogurt and spices tenderize and flavor the chicken over a minimum of three hours, ideally overnight.
The chicken is then cooked in ghee or butter until opaque but not browned, maintaining moisture and tenderness. A sauce is prepared with tomato passata, heavy cream, sugar, and salt; the marinade residue is added back to enrich the sauce. The curry simmers gently for 20 minutes to meld flavors and thicken.
Butter Chicken has a creamy, slightly sweet tomato sauce balancing warm Indian spices and a mild heat from chili powder. Its texture is smooth and velvety, with tender chicken pieces that absorb the sauce. It is typically served over basmati rice and can be garnished with fresh coriander leaves.
Using pure chili powder (rather than American chili powder) ensures the intended mild heat level. Ghee can be substituted with butter or neutral oil for cooking. Tomato passata provides a smooth base, but blended canned tomatoes also work if passata is unavailable. For a lighter sauce, cream can be partially replaced with milk.
Ingredients
Marinade
- 1/2 cup PLAIN yogurt full fat
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 tsp garam masala (Note 1)
- 1/2 tsp chilli powder or cayenne pepper powder (Note 2)
- 1 tsp cumin ground
- 1 tbsp ginger, freshly grated
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 1.5 lb / 750 g chicken thigh fillet cut into bite size pieces
Curry
- 2 tbsp (30 g) ghee OR 1 tbsp vegetable oil (Note 3, or butter
- 1 cup tomato passata Note 4, aka tomato puree
- 1 cup heavy cream Note 5, thickened cream
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 1/4 tsp salt
To serve - choose
- basmati rice
- white rice
- Coriander optional
Instructions
- Optional blitz: for an extra smooth sauce, combine the Marinade ingredients (except the chicken) in a food processor and blend until smooth. (I do not do this)
- Marinade: Combine the Marinade ingredients with the chicken in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or up to 24 hours (minimum 3 hrs).
- Cook chicken: Heat the ghee (butter or oil) over high heat in a large fry pan. Take the chicken out of the Marinade but do not wipe or shake off the marinade from the chicken (but don't pour the Marinade left in the bowl into the fry pan).
- Place chicken in the fry pan and cook for around 3 minutes, or until the chicken is white all over (it doesn't really brown because of the Marinade).
- Sauce: Add the tomato passata, cream, sugar and salt. Also add any remaining marinade left in the bowl. Turn down to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Do a taste test to see if it needs more salt.
- Garnish with coriander/cilantro leaves if using. Serve with basmati rice.
- The Butter Chicken is pictured with my very easy No Yeast Flatbread and no-fry papadums (Note 5).
Notes
- Use pure chili powder or cayenne pepper for accurate spiciness; American chili powder contains other ingredients not suited here.
- Ghee is traditional clarified butter; substitute with butter or neutral oil if unavailable.
- Tomato passata provides a smooth tomato base; if unavailable, blend canned tomatoes or use tomato puree.
- A lighter sauce version uses 3/4 cup light cream mixed with 1/4 cup full or low-fat milk.
- Store-bought raw papadums can be microwaved for 45 seconds to 1 minute to quickly crisp them.
- Garam masala can be found in most supermarkets at similar prices to other spices.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 3- 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories 402 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 310g | |
| Calories | 402cal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 9.8g | 3% |
| Protein | 39.8g | 80% |
| Fat | 23.4g | 36% |
| Saturated Fat | 9.3g | 47% |
| Cholesterol | 193mg | 64% |
| Sodium | 928mg | 39% |
| Fiber | 0.9g | 4% |
| Sugar | 6.5g | 13% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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